Overview

VML is a global marketing partner that combines creativity, technology, and consultancy. Following the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we operate as a growth partner with a global presence of over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, delivering end-to-end solutions across the customer journey.

Account Director wanted to join our team at VML Romania. The opportunity: Are you a seasoned Client Services professional ready to lead and shape the future of a top-tier global brand in Romania? VML Romania is seeking an ambitious and strategic Account Director to take full ownership of our relationship with a key client in the tobacco industry (BAT).

This is a unique opportunity for a consultancy-led leader who thrives in challenging environments to drive world-class solutions across brand and activation. You will manage significant P&Ls, demonstrate thought leadership, grow teams, and add value to our client’s business while skillfully managing multiple stakeholders with competing priorities.

Responsibilities

Strategic Account Leadership

• Craft and execute the overall account strategy, aligning with business goals and regulatory constraints.
• Act as primary client liaison for regional leads (e.g., CEE, Balkans), anticipating business needs and maintaining strong engagement.
• Navigate complex stakeholder landscapes, building consensus among diverse decision-makers.
• Champion creative excellence while balancing client business objectives in a highly regulated industry.

Campaign Delivery & Localisation

• Oversee global-to-local campaign rollouts—ensuring creative assets and media plans are adapted for regional nuances.
• Coordinate multi-channel activations (digital, retail, trade, CRM, HRC) on schedule and within compliance frameworks.
• Demonstrate resilience with tight deadlines and changing client requirements while maintaining creative standards.

Financial & Commercial Management

• Drive revenue growth by identifying opportunities for creative innovation within BAT's portfolio.
• Manage budgets, forecasting, billing, and ensure delivery on financial targets.

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Foster strong relationships between client teams and creative departments, translating client needs into creative briefs.
• Collaborate with creative directors, art directors, copywriters, strategists, media, and production teams to deliver integrated work.
• Build resilient teams that adapt to changing client needs while maintaining creative excellence.

Business Development & New Initiatives

• Lead creative pitches, concept presentations, and negotiations within governance guidelines.
• Identify and pitch value-driving ideas, e.g., emerging channels, data-driven activations, digital tools.
• Lead RFPs, proposal development, and negotiations with governance.

Governance & Risk Management

• Ensure all creative executions comply with regulatory requirements, especially tobacco laws.
• Monitor campaign performance, troubleshoot issues, and escalate risks as needed.
• Guide creative teams through regulatory requirements while preserving creative impact.
• Remain solution-focused when navigating compliance challenges.

Qualifications

• Extensive client/account management experience within an agency with Global 1000/FMCG clients.
• Proven ability to manage complex creative approval projects and processes.
• Demonstrated ability to inspire creative work with a portfolio of successful campaigns.
• Experience across Brand positioning & Identity, integration & above the line, experiential & activation, digital and social, retail and point of sale, CRM & Loyalty, and product launches.
• Strong experience with P&L management, financial forecasting, and creative production budgeting.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing account strategies to drive client growth.
• Experience nurturing client relationships through challenging creative development processes.
• Ability to thrive under pressure and adapt to changing briefs while maintaining creative standards.
• Expertise in integrated creative campaign development from concept to execution.
• Experience bridging client services and creative departments with effective approval processes.
• Understanding of developing impactful campaigns within regulatory constraints.
• Top-tier presentation, negotiation, and facilitation skills across languages.
• Deep awareness of tobacco regulations across WE & SEE; compliance mindset.
• Experience in integrated marketing and digital/digital-commerce proficiency.
• Experience working with c-suite executives.
• Previous experience mentoring and managing teams.
• Passion for emerging creative trends, storytelling, and new technologies.
• Curiosity in new channels, data & tech integration, and consumer journey activation.

Nice to have

• Proven commercial knowledge and experience in contract negotiations.

What we can offer you

At VML Romania, we empower our people. Alongside the opportunity to work with a global brand in the FMCG industry (specifically tobacco), we support your career development and growth. We value authenticity and diversity.

Benefits include:

• Hybrid working model for flexibility and collaboration.
• Extensive training and professional development opportunities.
• Private medical insurance.
• Engaging social events and workshops.
• Wellness sessions at the office.

Our values: Connect Meaningfully, Inspire Creatively, Include Purposefully, Approaches Positively.

Our people are what makes VML Enterprise Solutions. We look for those who push our thinking to be better than yesterday.

About VML Romania

• What We Do: VML is a leading global marketing agency delivering innovative solutions that drive growth.
• How We Do It: We combine creativity, technology, data, and culture to connect with people across touchpoints.
• What Makes Us Different: A collaborative, diverse, learning-focused culture that empowers our people.

We believe the best work happens when we’re together, with a hybrid approach and a collaborative office culture.

VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website and follow VML on social channels. California Recruitment Privacy Notice and Recruitment Privacy Policy information are provided as part of applying.