Position Summary
The Account Director plays a pivotal role in fostering & managing Catalyst’s client relationships, ensuring a seamless & positive experience throughout the entire exhibit lifecycle. This strategic position is responsible for cultivating strong, long-term partnerships with clients across all levels of their organization. By deeply understanding each client’s business objectives & marketing strategies, the Account Director assists the internal team in delivering tailored solutions that drive results. This role requires a proactive approach to building trust & loyalty, ensuring that client needs are consistently heard, understood, & addressed with efficiency and care.
Client Relationship Management
- Serve as the primary point of contact, ensuring client needs are met with responsiveness & care
- Build strong relationships that foster open communication & deepen client understanding
- Work directly with members of the internal sales team at any point in the project lifecycle
Lead Pre-Planning Efforts
- Organize & facilitate ongoing pre-show meetings
- Maintain & update a comprehensive client event calendar, typically on a rolling 12-month basis
- Oversee timelines/deadlines associated with each project, both internally and externally
Project & Communication Oversight
- Be the voice of the client within our building
- Attend and support all project meetings & coordinate pre-show meetings with internal & external stakeholders
- Primarily collaborate with project management to collectively communicate with all cross-functional teams to ensure seamless project execution
- Generate addendums & change orders, as needed
- Monitor project deadlines & hold clients accountable to them
Budget Management
- Manage individual event budgets with clients & reconcile final billing post-show
- Communicate budgetary changes to client throughout the project lifecycle
- Coordinate & order show service on our client’s behalf, including Install & Dismantle, Transportation, Audio/Visual, Electrical, Rigging, Furniture, Floral, Catering, etc. (varies per client/job)
Onsite Event Support
- Attend key shows & events (as needed)
- Oversee the entirety of the exhibit installation process to ensure milestones, budgets & client expectations are met.
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree preferred.
- Tradeshow and/or event management experience preferred.
- Minimum of 3 years of account management experience.
Skills & Competencies
- Communication: Clearly conveying ideas, expectations, & feedback to team members & stakeholders. Active listening & adapting communication style to different audiences.
- Problem-Solving: Identifying issues early & developing creative, practical solutions.
- Time Management: Prioritizing tasks, managing deadlines, & ensuring efficient use of resources.
- Adaptability: Staying flexible & calm under pressure, especially when project scopes/timelines shift.
- Conflict Resolution: Navigating disagreements diplomatically & maintaining team cohesion.
- Collaboration: Working effectively across departments & with diverse teams.
- Attention to Detail: Ensuring accuracy in planning, documentation, & execution.
- Negotiation: Balancing stakeholder needs, managing vendor contracts, & aligning expectations.
- Organization: Manage multiple accounts, at different lifecycle stages, simultaneously.
Work Environment
- This is a full-time, on-site position based in our office.
- Schedule: Standard hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, with occasional overtime required to meet project deadlines and support event execution.
- We offer a flexible open-office setting that encourages collaboration & creativity while supporting individual focus. Team members enjoy a dynamic space designed for both teamwork & independent work styles.
- Travel Requirements: This role requires approx. 30% travel, with the potential for more depending on large-scale client engagements or major events.