Account Director - MRI-Simmons Agency Vertical

• Full-time
• Compensation: USD 117,500 - USD 180,000 - yearly

About the Position

This is a US role, must be in the US at the time of application to be considered.

This position will be based in Chicago or New York City (preferred) and requires approximately 25% travel, with regular client and in-agency engagement expected.

About the Company

MRI-Simmons, a joint venture majority-owned by NIQ (NYSE: NIQ), is a leading provider of insights on the American consumer. For more than 60 years, MRI-Simmons data has been widely used across the media ecosystem for consumer profiling, media planning, audience research, and insight-driven audience development.

Powered by address-based probabilistic sampling, MRI-Simmons measures real people, chosen at random to represent the U.S. population in all its diversity, providing marketers, agencies, and media companies with a comprehensive view of the American consumer.

Responsibilities

Revenue Growth

• Identify, develop, and close new business across audience activation, enrichment, advanced advertising, data enablement, syndicated data, and SaaS solutions.
• Renew and expand business with existing clients by building deep relationships and identifying upsell opportunities.
• Proactively prospect and network to build a strong pipeline of new agency opportunities.
• Own the end-to-end sales process, from initial outreach and discovery through solution development, proposals, negotiation, contracting, and close, with strong and consistent follow-up throughout.
• Develop and execute strategic account and territory plans, including commercial discussions around pricing and deal terms, to achieve and exceed annual revenue goals.

Client Engagement

• Develop and leverage strong relationships across advertising agencies, building connections with key stakeholders across programmatic, digital, video, investment, consumer insights, data, and account teams.
• Use a consultative approach to uncover client needs, identify new opportunities, and expand relationships within key accounts.
• Serve as a trusted advisor by understanding clients’ business and media objectives and connecting those needs to MRI-Simmons consumer intelligence, activation, enrichment, and advanced advertising solutions.
• Lead compelling presentations and proposals, maintain a strong client presence, and drive utilization, expansion, and long-term partnerships.
• Collaborate with sales colleagues across verticals to identify, develop, and pursue cross-team opportunities.
• Translate evolving agency needs into new commercial opportunities.

Operational Excellence

• Maintain accurate pipeline, opportunity, and revenue information in CRM and other internal tracking systems.
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills and consistent follow-up across prospects, active opportunities, and existing clients.
• Partner with Operations, Development, and Client Service teams to define data, technical, and delivery requirements and ensure successful execution.
• Ensure timely sales-order execution and support contractual, reporting, and revenue collection requirements as needed.
• Maintain ownership and accountability throughout the client lifecycle, including after a deal is signed.

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience in media, advertising, consumer insights, research, technology, SaaS sales, or relevant agency roles.
• Consultative, self-directed seller with a “hunter” mindset, strong client instincts, and a demonstrated desire to win and create new opportunities.
• Demonstrated success prospecting, developing, and closing new business within advertising and media agencies.
• Experience selling syndicated data, SaaS, ad tech, activation, enrichment, or other data-driven solutions.
• Strong understanding of the digital advertising ecosystem, including programmatic and audience-based advertising.
• Strong agency relationships preferred, with the ability to develop new relationships and expand within client organizations.
• Proven ability to manage a pipeline, follow up consistently, and move complex opportunities from prospecting through close.
• Strong consultative selling, presentation, and communication skills, including the ability to tell compelling stories using consumer, media, and audience data.
• Proficiency with Salesforce or a similar CRM platform, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.

We Offer

• Comprehensive healthcare plan (medical, Rx, dental, and vision).
• Flexible spending accounts and a Health Savings Account (including company contributions).
• Life and AD&D insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan including company matching contributions.
• Disability insurance.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Discretionary paid time off program and 11 paid holidays.
• Flexible working environment.
• Volunteer time off.
• LinkedIn Learning.
• Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP).

About NIQ

NIQ is the world’s leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. In 2023, NIQ combined with GfK, bringing together the two industry leaders with unparalleled global reach. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insights-delivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platforms-NIQ delivers the Full View™. NIQ is an Advent International portfolio company with operations in 100+ markets, covering more than 90% of the world’s population.

For more information, visit NIQ.com

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At NIQ, we are steadfast in our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace that mirrors the rich diversity of the communities and markets we serve. We believe that embracing a wide range of perspectives drives innovation and excellence. All employment decisions at NIQ are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We invite individuals who share our dedication to inclusivity and equity to join us in making a meaningful impact. To learn more about our ongoing efforts in diversity and inclusion, please visit the Diversity and Inclusion page.