Account Director - MRI-Simmons Agency Vertical

This is a US role, must be in US at time of application to be considered. This position will be based in Chicago or New York City (preferred) and requires approximately 25% travel, with regular client and in-agency engagement expected. Were looking for a motivated, experienced sales professional to join our Agency team and help accelerate growth across MRI-Simmons. This is a role for a self-starter who likes to win. The right person is proactive, persistent, highly organized, and has the follow-up skills to keep opportunities moving. Youll be expected to create opportunities rather than wait for them, develop new client relationships while leveraging existing ones, and stay close to customers from the first conversation through execution and ongoing growth. As an Account Director, youll have a strong focus on growing our consumer insights, activation, enrichment, data enablement, and advanced advertising business, while also prospecting for and expanding MRI-Simmons syndicated data solutions. Youll identify new opportunities, open doors across agency organizations, and develop relationships with stakeholders across programmatic, digital, video, investment, consumer insights, data, and account teams. Youll take a consultative approach to selling, understanding what clients are trying to accomplish and connecting their business, media, and campaign objectives to the right MRI-Simmons capabilities. Success in this role requires someone who combines strong relationship-building with a hunter mentality. You should be comfortable opening doors, getting in front of clients, following up consistently, asking for the business, and finding new paths into accounts. Just as importantly, youll build credibility and relationships that drive repeat business, broader adoption, and long-term partnerships. Youll also work closely with Product, Commercial, Marketing, Operations, and Client Service teams to bring client feedback into the organization, support new activation and data initiatives, and help shape our go-to-market approach. This position will be based in Chicago or New York City and requires approximately 25% travel, with regular client and in-agency engagement expected. Responsibilities: Revenue Growth 3 Identify, develop, and close new business across audience activation, enrichment, advanced advertising, data enablement, syndicated data, and SaaS solutions. 3 Renew and expand business with existing clients by building deep relationships and identifying upsell opportunities. 3 Proactively prospect and network to build a strong pipeline of new agency opportunities. 3 Own the end-to-end sales process, from initial outreach and discovery through solution development, proposals, negotiation, contracting, and close, with strong and consistent follow-up throughout. 3 Develop and execute strategic account and territory plans, including commercial discussions around pricing and deal terms, to achieve and exceed annual revenue goals. Client Engagement 3 Develop and leverage strong relationships across advertising agencies, building connections with key stakeholders across programmatic, digital, video, investment, consumer insights, data, and account teams. 3 Use a consultative approach to uncover client needs, identify new opportunities, and expand relationships within key accounts. 3 Serve as a trusted advisor by understanding clients business and media objectives and connecting those needs to MRI-Simmons consumer intelligence, activation, enrichment, and advanced advertising solutions. 3 Lead compelling presentations and proposals, maintain a strong client presence, and drive utilization, expansion, and long-term partnerships. 3 Collaborate with sales colleagues across verticals to identify, develop, and pursue cross-team opportunities. 3 Translate evolving agency needs into new commercial opportunities. Operational Excellence 3 Maintain accurate pipeline, opportunity, and revenue information in CRM and other internal tracking systems. 3 Demonstrate strong organizational skills and consistent follow-up across prospects, active opportunities, and existing clients. 3 Partner with Operations, Development, and Client Service teams to define data, technical, and delivery requirements and ensure successful execution. 3 Ensure timely sales-order execution and support contractual, reporting, and revenue collection requirements as needed. 3 Maintain ownership and accountability throughout the client lifecycle, including after a deal is signed. Qualifications 3 7+ years of experience in media, advertising, consumer insights, research, technology, SaaS sales, or relevant agency roles. 3 Consultative, self-directed seller with a "hunter" mindset, strong client instincts, and a demonstrated desire to win and create new opportunities. 3 Demonstrated success prospecting, developing, and closing new business within advertising and media agencies. 3 Experience selling syndicated data, SaaS, ad tech, activation, enrichment, or other data-driven solutions. 3 Strong understanding of the digital advertising ecosystem, including programmatic and audience-based advertising. 3 Strong agency relationships preferred, with the ability to develop new relationships and expand within client organizations. 3 Proven ability to manage a pipeline, follow up consistently, and move complex opportunities from prospecting through close. 3 Strong consultative selling, presentation, and communication skills, including the ability to tell compelling stories using consumer, media, and audience data. 3 Proficiency with Salesforce or a similar CRM platform, PowerPoint, and Excel. 3 Bachelors degree preferred. US Benefits 3 Comprehensive healthcare plan (medical, Rx, dental, and vision). 3 Flexible spending accounts and a Health Savings Account (including company contributions). 3 Life and AD&D insurance. 3 401(k) retirement plan including company matching contributions. 3 Disability insurance. 3 Tuition Reimbursement. 3 Discretionary paid time off program and 11 paid holidays. 3 Flexible working environment 3 Volunteer time off 3 LinkedIn Learning 3 Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP) Additional Information This role has a market-competitive salary with an anticipated base compensation of the following range: $117,500 - $180,000. Actual salaries will vary depending on a candidates experience, qualifications, skills, and location. This role is eligible for a sales-based incentive or performance-based bonus. Other benefits include flexible working environment, comprehensive health insurance, industry-leading parental leave, life insurance, education support and more. #LI-Remote Our Benefits 3 Flexible working environment 3 Volunteer time off 3 LinkedIn Learning 3 Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP)