Most agencies hire Account Directors to manage clients and keep projects moving. That's not this role.

zag is a ~25-person marketing and advertising agency in Edmonton that does work across Canada and in the US. We're looking for someone to lead our accounts team, shape client relationships, and raise the standard of our work.

The Role

You'll lead the accounts team and own how we show up with clients:

• Own client relationships end-to-end
• Lead and develop the Accounts team
• Shape strategy and challenge thinking in the room
• Anticipate needs, not just respond to requests
• Protect and grow revenue across all accounts by staying ahead of risks and opportunities
• Make the call and know what needs escalation and what doesn't

What Matters Most

This role is about judgment.

Knowing when something isn't right, whether it's strategy, scope, or execution, and having the confidence to say it and fix it.

You don't need to do the work yourself, but you need to understand it well enough to know when it's off.

In client meetings: A client asks for something that sounds reasonable. Everyone's nodding. But it's the wrong priority or wrong use of budget. You're the person who catches it and pushes back thoughtfully.

In scoping: A request comes in that looks straightforward. But there are variables underneath it that change everything. You ask the right questions before anything gets promised.

In delivery: A deliverable meets the brief. But it's not great and you can feel it. You can't let that slide.

Who you are

• You've led client relationships and teams directly
• You can push back with clients and build trust doing it
• You hire, develop and hold people accountable
• You bring solutions, not just problems
• You're comfortable making decisions
• You've been in the work, not just around it. You lead from experience, not from a process doc.

What We're Building

• Ownership over escalation
• Simpler, sharper ways of working
• Better thinking, not just more activity
• Clear, direct communication

This role helps shape what zag becomes next.

Do Apply If

• You're comfortable challenging clients and teams
• You take ownership and follow things through
• You want to build something exceptional, not just maintain the status quo
• Silence in a meeting makes you want to fill it with the right question, not small talk
• You'd rather be respected than liked

Don't apply if

• You avoid hard conversations
• You need constant direction or approval
• You prioritize being liked over being effective
• You hear "that's not working" and take it personally
• Your instinct when something feels off is to stay quiet and hope someone else says it

Comp & Environment

• Competitive Pay
• Health and dental benefits
• Vacation, PTO and bonus days off

To apply

If any of the above excites you, we'd love to hear from you.

Send us your CV and tell us the most meaningful thing you've gotten done in your career. Not your title. Not your responsibilities. What you did and what happened because of it.

Shortlisted applications will receive an email from us requesting a screening interview.

Following the screening interview, successful applicants will receive a request for a formal interview.