Account Director

Job summary

The Account Director leads integrated marketing campaigns from strategy through execution while managing client relationships and internal team performance. They are responsible for portfolio P&L, budget oversight, and driving organic account growth through strategic brand guidance.

Job details

ROLE: Account Director TEAM: Accounts LOCATION: Toronto (Hybrid) COMPANY OVERVIEW Salt is a North American marketing agency that creates connected experiences through creative, digital, and media innovation. Our mission is to help clients, and their brands earn the world’s attention through our core philosophy of Connected Creativity - a cross-disciplinary, collaborative approach to ideation and planning that unlocks the power of different perspectives. This approach enables us to deliver new and effective solutions. Because the best results start with different ideas. ROLE OVERVIEW As an Account Director, you’ll lead a portfolio of integrated campaigns from strategy through execution, acting as the central driver of both client relationships and internal team performance. You’ll serve as the general manager of your business—owning delivery, growth, and team alignment across every touchpoint. You’ll oversee cross-functional teams, guiding the development of programs that are insight-led, creatively sharp, and built to perform. From setting the vision to briefing creative, managing timelines, and owning the budget, you’ll keep the work on track and the client confident in every step. This role is for a strategic thinker and hands-on leader. You know how to turn complexity into clarity and move ideas into action. You’re a strong communicator, a collaborative partner, and a steady force in a fast-moving environment. CORE RESPONSIBILITIES Client Relations • Develop and deepen trusted client relationships, acting as a strategic advisor aligned to business goals and brand objectives. • Lead the development and execution of integrated marketing (IMC) programs, ensuring excellence from concept to delivery. • Maintain a strong understanding of the client’s business, industry landscape, and growth drivers. • Identify and pursue opportunities for organic account growth by proposing incremental programs and value-added services. • Provide strategic brand and business guidance to clients as needed, fostering long-term partnership success. Team • Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing account team, ensuring clear objectives, performance feedback, and professional growth. • Collaborate cross-functionally with specialty teams (Creative, Design, Media, Studio) to deliver integrated, high-impact work. • Work with senior leadership and HR to assess team needs, support hiring, and onboard new team members effectively. • Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and operational excellence across departments. • Guide team resource planning based on project scope, ensuring balanced workloads and alignment with business needs. Financial • Own the portfolio P&L, partnering with finance and account teams to ensure profitability and budget discipline. • Build, oversee, and reconcile program budgets of all sizes, ensuring financial accuracy and transparency. • Train and empower account teams in budget management to ensure scalable financial stewardship. • Ensure all programs are delivered on time, on budget, and aligned with revenue and margin goals. • Identify financial gaps or underperformance risks and implement corrective action plans to drive revenue and profit growth. Business Operations • Monitor program performance and client KPIs, recommending optimization strategies and process improvements post-campaign. • Identify and lead new business development opportunities within the portfolio or broader Salt XC offering. • Manage key external relationships including clients, suppliers, agencies, and contractors to ensure program excellence. • Contribute to pitches, RFPs, and strategic proposals that drive business growth and position Salt XC as a leading partner. • Support ongoing innovation and operational refinement to improve ways of working and overall business performance. EXPERIENCE & SKILLS • 10+ years of experience in Account Management, Client Service, Project Management, or a related role within an agency environment. • Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to inspire and develop high-performing teams. • Proven track record in project management and production, with excellent organizational and executional capabilities. • Skilled in budgeting, financial reporting, and overseeing large-scale P&Ls. • Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving, negotiation, and critical thinking abilities. • Confident presenter and communicator with exceptional interpersonal skills. • Demonstrated ability to identify and drive business growth opportunities through client partnerships. PERKS & BENEFITS THAT SET US APART We don’t just talk about balance, growth, and culture, we build for it: • Work-Life Flexibility: Hybrid setup, up to 28 paid days off, winter holiday shutdowns, and dog-friendly office vibes. • Comprehensive Coverage: Health, dental, and vision plans, plus Salt Bucks to spend on what matters to you—wellness, RRSPs, or extra time off. • Growth-Driven Culture: Dedicated Salt Days, top-tier learning access, and formal leadership development. • Celebration-First Mentality: Legendary team trips, seasonal socials, and Salt Swag that reps your squad. • Real Rewards: Referral and new business bonuses, exclusive lifestyle perks, and personalized wellness options. • Culture of Belonging: DEI programs, active ERGs, and a workplace where every voice counts. WHAT WE STAND FOR • Salt of the Earth: We lead with humility, honesty, and heart—always. • Do What’s Right: No shortcuts. We choose integrity over ease, every time. • Earn Your Salt: We roll up our sleeves, chase results, and celebrate the journey. • Make Things Better: We’re solution-seekers, always pushing for smarter ways forward. • Seek Different Perspectives: Diversity fuels our thinking. Inclusion drives our impact. Compensation The anticipated annual base salary range for this position is $100,000–$125,000. Individual compensation within this range is determined based on job-related factors such as experience, skills, level of responsibility, internal equity, and business needs. This range represents the expected base salary for this role and does not include other elements of SALT’s total rewards program.

What you’ll do

The Account Director leads integrated marketing campaigns from strategy through execution while managing client relationships and internal team performance. They are responsible for portfolio P&L, budget oversight, and driving organic account growth through strategic brand guidance.

Requirements

Candidates must have 10+ years of experience in agency-based account management, client service, or project management. Strong leadership, financial acumen, and the ability to drive business growth are essential for this role.

Benefits

• Work-life flexibility • Paid time off • Winter holiday shutdowns • Health insurance • Dental insurance • Vision insurance • Wellness perks • RRSP contributions • Leadership development • Referral bonuses • New business bonuses • DEI programs

Listed skills

• Problem solving · Preferred
• Financial Reporting · Preferred
• Leadership · Preferred
• Account Management · Preferred
• Negotiation · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred
• client relations · Preferred
• Critical Thinking · Preferred
• Project management · Preferred
• Business development · Preferred
• Cross-Functional Collaboration · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Account management
• Strategic planning
• Integrated marketing
• Leadership
• Budget management
• P&L management
• Client relations
• Project management
• Team development
• Business development
• Communication
• Problem solving
• Negotiation
• Critical thinking
• Financial reporting
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Budget Management
• Creative Design
• Ideation
• People Management
• Profit And Loss (P&L) Management
• Accountability
• Project Scoping
• Business Operations
• Planning
• Account Management
• Budgeting
• Customer Service
• Value-Added Services
• Creativity
• Critical Thinking
• Finance
• Financial Statements
• Marketing
• Scalability
• Humility
• Innovation
• Integrated Marketing Communications
• Interpersonal Communications
• Problem Solving
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Leadership Development
• Project Management
• New Business Development
• Operational Excellence
• Resource Planning
• Request For Proposal
• Team Leadership
• Team Performance Management
• Timelines

Job areas

• Marketing
• Management & Leadership
• Creative & Media
• Consulting
• Account Director
• Account Manager (General)
• Commercial Sales Representatives
• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products