Account Director

Account Director
This position is based in Fort Worth, Texas. Because this is a leadership role centered on collaboration, coaching and client partnership, regular in-office presence is expected. Schaefer offers hybrid work flexibility but this is not a remote position.

About Schaefer
For more than 25 years, Schaefer Advertising has partnered with organizations facing high-stakes, high-impact business and marketing challenges. We believe our greatest value isn’t simply creating campaigns—it’s helping clients solve meaningful business problems through thoughtful strategy, exceptional creativity and measurable results.

As an independent agency, we intentionally build long‑term partnerships with organizations that are making a difference in the communities they serve. Our clients trust us because we take time to understand their business, challenge conventional thinking and deliver work that creates measurable impact.

We believe exceptional work comes from exceptional people. That’s why we’ve built a culture rooted in collaboration, curiosity, accountability and genuine care for one another. We encourage initiative, celebrate different perspectives and believe the best leaders leave every client, every teammate and every part of the agency stronger than they found it.

We don’t aspire to be the biggest agency. We aspire to be the agency clients trust when the stakes are high.

Our Purpose
Make Life Better.

It’s more than a tagline—it’s the standard that guides every decision we make.

We exist to make life better for our clients, our team, our community and ourselves. That purpose shapes how we serve our clients, how we develop our people and how we define success. We believe the best work happens when talented people care deeply about one another, continually challenge themselves to grow and approach every opportunity with humility, optimism and a commitment to excellence.

If that resonates with you, you’ll likely feel at home at Schaefer.

The Opportunity
Schaefer Advertising is seeking an experienced agency leader to serve as Account Director for our Place & Destination Marketing Practice.

This practice serves destination marketing organizations, attractions, arts and cultural organizations, hospitality partners and other organizations that help shape communities and create memorable experiences.

As Account Director, you’ll lead key client relationships, develop exceptional people, strengthen industry partnerships and help drive the continued growth, reputation and long‑term success of the practice.

Success in this role is measured by more than delivering excellent client work. It is reflected in the strength of the relationships you build, the people you develop, the opportunities you create and the long‑term health of the practice.

What We’re Looking For
The ideal candidate is an experienced agency leader who combines strategic thinking with strong business acumen and exceptional relationship‑building skills.

You’re equally comfortable leading executive‑level client conversations, coaching a growing team and collaborating with specialists across media, creative, strategy, analytics and digital.

Clients trust you because you understand their business—notjust their marketing.

You are naturally curious, commercially minded and proactive. You look for opportunities to strengthen client partnerships, improve how work gets done and contribute to the continued growth of the agency.

You embrace technology, including AI, as a tool to improve strategic thinking, operational excellence and client value.

Requirements

8–10+ years of progressive agency or marketing leadership experience

Demonstrated ability to proactively identify and lead opportunities for client growth and new business development

Experience leading a significant client portfolio, business unit or vertical

Experience in place‑making, attractions, tourism, arts, hospitality or related industries is preferred

Demonstrated success growing existing client relationships and contributing to new business development

Strong executive‑level client relationship experience

Financial management experience including forecasting, resource planning, budgeting and scope development

Demonstrated success leading and developing people

Strong business and strategic acumen

Experience integrating AI into professional workflows and leading teams through adoption

Comfortable working in a collaborative, values‑driven independent agency

College degree required

Ability to work within a wide variety of client budgets to meet their business objectives.

Key Responsibilities
Practice Leadership

Lead and strengthen Schaefer’s Place & Destination Marketing Practice

Help establish strategic priorities and long‑range goals for the practice

Maintain industry expertise and continually strengthen Schaefer’s reputation within the sectors we serve

Champion collaboration across account service, media, strategy, creative, analytics and digital

Help ensure the practice continues evolving alongside changing client and industry needs

Client Leadership

Serve as the senior strategic advisor for key client relationships

Build trusted partnerships with executive‑level client leadership

Lead annual planning, strategic initiatives and high‑impact presentations

Anticipate client needs and proactively bring new ideas and opportunities forward

Navigate sensitive client situations with confidence and sound judgment

Ensure exceptional client service and measurable business results

Practice Growth
At Schaefer, leadership includes a responsibility to strengthen and grow the practice. Actively build Schaefer’s visibility and relationships within the Place & Destination marketing community through industry involvement, speaking opportunities, networking and thought leadership.

Working closely with agency leadership and our Business Development team, the Account Director is expected to actively strengthen existing client relationships while helping identify opportunities for organic growth and new business.

Responsibilities include:

Continually identify client business challenges where Schaefer can create additional value.

Develop trusted relationships throughout the Place & Destination Marketing community

Represent Schaefer at industry conferences, networking events and professional organizations

Partner with the Business Development team on prospect strategy, proposals and presentations

Help position Schaefer as the agency organizations turn to when they face high‑stakes, high‑impact marketing challenges

Contribute to annual growth goals through client retention, organic growth and new client acquisition

Team Leadership

Lead, coach and develop a high‑performing Account Service team

Recruit, onboard and mentor future talent

Foster accountability, collaboration and continuous learning

Conduct meaningful coaching and performance conversations

Build a culture where people are challenged, supported and empowered to grow

Financial Stewardship

Maintain responsibility for the financial health of the practice

Partner with agency leadership on forecasting, staffing and resource planning

Anticipate and resolve revenue concernsEnsure work is delivered efficiently, profitably and with exceptional quality

Develop scopes of work and proposals that create value for clients while supporting agency objectives

AI & Innovation

Lead thoughtful adoption of AI across the practice

Help the team integrate AI into everyday work in ways that improve quality, efficiency and strategic thinking

Stay informed on emerging technologies and identify opportunities to strengthen how Schaefer serves clients

Model responsible, practical and innovative use of AI

Our Ideal Account Director
Our most successful leaders share several common characteristics.

They:

Build trusted client partnerships

Develop exceptional people

Think strategically while executing with excellence

Strengthen the agency through curiosity, initiative and collaboration

Look for opportunities to create greater value for clients and for Schaefer

Balance optimism with accountability

Lead with humility, confidence and emotional intelligence

Bring practical, common‑sense solutions to complex challenges

Help shape what’s next rather than waiting for change to happen

Benefits

401k with 3% Employer Contribution

Health, Dental, Disability and Life Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Generous Holiday Schedule

Dog Friendly Environment

Office closure between Christmas and New Years

Paid volunteer time

Paid parental leave

What’s Next?
If this opportunity—and more importantly, Schaefer Advertising—feels like the right fit, we’d love to hear from you.

Our hiring process is thoughtful and thorough because we’re committed to finding people who not only have the right experience, but who also share our values and our commitment to helping make life better.

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