Associate Account Director - Bader Rutter

At Bader Rutter, we believe in building strong client partnerships and delivering work that drives results. As an associate account director helping us lead and expand our services for existing clients, you will be the business lead for 2-3 client accounts or client divisions. You will build and foster partnerships at the top level of our clients (senior managers and directors). To do that, you must balance skilled personal communication and relationship building with deep knowledge of client businesses and industries — in this case, especially beneficial is knowledge in the agriculture and dairy industries. You will be expected to: identify, interpret and share your clients’ business challenges, problems and opportunities with your teams; and then sell and champion our best work. Successful associate account directors are trusted client advisers who positively impact our clients’ business results and are highly regarded servant leaders to all functions at BR. You’ll likely have about 10 years of prior experience, but the real key is that you’ll have insight, intelligence and enthusiasm for your job and your people. It is, after all, a people business, and you are fundamentally good people.

Who You Are

You are a strategic thinker and emerging leader who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment. You build trusted relationships with senior-level clients, typically at the director level, and guide your team in translating client business challenges into actionable strategies. You are a lifelong learner who actively develops your marketing and business acumen while coaching and supporting others to succeed.

What You’ll Do

• Lead 2-3 client accounts or client divisions as the primary point of contact.

• Build trusted relationships with senior-level clients, typically directors.

• Advise the BR team on client business objectives and industry trends.

• Interpret client needs for the team and collaborate on solutions that meet client goals.

• Assist in establishing and delivering annual client income forecasts to BR leadership.

• Support team goal-setting and direction to align with interpreted client business problems.

• Guide your team to work within client-directed standard operating procedures (e.g., procurement processes).

• Initiate strategic marketing communications plans and facilitate frequent client interactions.

• Secure invitations to client business planning meetings.

• Partner with strategic and creative leads to demonstrate what great work looks like.

• Facilitate and coach your team to ensure work is strategically sound and delivers meaningful metrics.

• Develop and present effective client setups that link strategy to creative work to secure client approval.

• Actively participate in internal collaboration meetings.

• Attend and represent BR at client and industry events.

• Maintain a proactive personal learning plan focused on client industry, advertising, communications, modern marketing and business acumen.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) and 7-10 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience managing multiple client relationships and leading small cross-functional teams.

• Strong business and marketing acumen with an understanding of advertising, communications or digital marketing.

• Ability to build trusted partnerships with senior-level clients and advise on business strategy.

• Critical-thinking, decision-making and problem-solving skills.

• High emotional intelligence, adaptability and team collaboration skills.

• Strong organizational, budget and time management skills.

• A passion for mentoring and supporting the development of others while continuing your own learning.

Location: Open to candidates based in Milwaukee and Chicago.

Learn more and apply here.