Account Director - Spirits Industry (IHub Specific)

OVERVIEW
POPLIFE is seeking an experienced and strategic Account Director to lead and grow key client business, including a major alcohol beverage supplier. This role is responsible for developing and managing senior-level client relationships while leading the strategy, planning, development, and execution of a national IHub BA program, experiential marketing programs, consumer activations, and trade events. The Account Director serves as a trusted advisor, thought leader, and problem solver for clients, bringing a deep understanding of the experiential marketing landscape, emerging cultural trends, and the evolving spirits and cocktail industry. The ideal candidate has agency experience across lifestyle, spirits, and food & beverage brands, and a proven track record of leading teams to deliver impactful, innovative programs that drive client success. This role requires a collaborative and adaptable leader who can seamlessly navigate between account management, strategy, and production while overseeing multiple projects, clients, and direct reports. Strong communication, relationship-building, and organizational skills are essential, along with the ability to manage complex programs effectively and profitably.
GENERAL ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Serve as the primary agency lead and senior point of contact for client partners, building trusted relationships
Provide proactive, insight-driven recommendations that support client business objectives and identify opportunities for growth
Lead, mentor, and develop direct reports across multiple levels, fostering professional growth and high performance
Provide guidance, coaching and support to team members while promoting collaboration and accountability across agency teams
Develop key program materials, including decks, playbooks, training manuals, presentations and operational guides
Lead, grow and manage national KAM program and trade advocacy initiatives
Identify, recruit, onboard and manage external resources, staffing teams and vendors to execute programs successfully
Develop, manage, and maintain oversight of program budgets, revenue, profitability, and overall account financial performance
Lead client communications through regular status meetings, IAT, presentations, and reporting, ensuring alignment, transparency and overall client satisfaction
Develop and manage workback schedules and communication plans to ensure program milestones and deliverables remain on track
Lead post-program analysis and performance reporting, evaluating KPIs, budgets, consumer engagement and ROI
Deliver actionable insights, key learnings and optimization recommendations to improve future program performance
Utilize data and market trends to inform strategic decision-making and continuously enhance client programs and agency offerings
Lead strategy, development, planning and execution of experiential marketing programs, including large-scale events, mobile tours, cocktail development programs and on-and off-premise sampling activations
Oversee aspects of program execution from concept through completion, ensuring operational excellence and high-quality delivery
QUALIFICATIONS
8+ years of experience in experiential marketing and management, understanding how to bring creative vision to life working with production teams
Experience developing Brand experience platforms, writing, presenting and selling in concepts
Proven track record of client leadership and account growth
Experience in an agency environment; must be process-oriented and highly organized
Excellent people manager, motivator and mentor with ability to recruit and retain high functioning employees
Experience managing, tracking and reconciling large-scale, complex program budgets
Must have Bev/Alch experience
Must have experience managing cross functional teams
Excellent written and persuasive presentation skills
Ability to mulit-task with attention to detail, follow through and consistently meet deadlines
Demonstrate Problem solving skills
Willingness to travel and be on-site for events
Passion for culture - music, fashion, art, lifestyle

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