Account Director

ROLE: ACCOUNT DIRECTOR

TEAM: THE KITCHEN NORTH AMERICA

LOCATION: TORONTO (HYBRID)

COMPANY OVERVIEW: 

Welcome to The Kitchen by Kraft Heinz – the in-house agency taking marketing into a new era. With bases in Toronto and Chicago, we're not just a team; we're culinary pioneers blending culture, creativity, and collaboration. Join our 90+ member crew of Creatives, Strategists, Producers, Designers, and Content Creators. Together with our brand partners, we unlock creativity at the speed of culture, turning brands into icons with breakthrough social and digital ideas. Come be part of a team where passion meets innovation, crafting experiences that leave a lasting impression—one spicy idea at a time. 

ROLE OVERVIEW:

The Account Director oversees a large portfolio of brands for Kraft Heinz North America within The Kitchen.  The Account Director is the general manager of their portfolio, growing their business and ensuring that programs are delivered on time, within budget and achieve the strategic brand and brand team objectives. This position helps plan, coordinate, and implement marketing plans and oversees the cross-functional agency team tasked with developing campaigns, agile content, scaled activations and campaign support. 
You oversee the processes of running programs and nurture relationships with Kraft Heinz. You typically plan and coordinate projects, brief creative teams, and manage budgets.  In this role you will have two direct reports: Business Supervisors, but accountable for 5 reports (3 Business Execs in addition to the Supervisors).
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:  

Kraft Heinz Relations 

• Develop, nurture & propel brand team relationships 
• Develop comprehensive understanding of the Kraft Heinz business strategy, objectives &. brands 
• Support the brand teams with strategic direction of the brand/company as required 
• Ability to lead development of client programs, including project & IMC management 
• Understand where there may be organic opportunities for business development & growth within Kraft Heinz business; work to create and implement a plan to sell incremental programs and services 

Team 

• Brief in and set objectives for specialty teams within The Kitchen i.e., Creative, Strategy, Production 
• Create collaborative working relationships and maintain effective + efficient ways of working within specialty and IMC teams 
• Work with The Kitchen executive leadership team to assess and determine requirements for new processes as needed 
• Work with Salt admin &. HR to onboard new team members as required – training & development of a strong account management team, capable of both project management and project production 
• Train & develop direct reports and their teams to provide best in class account & project, production management 
• Conduct performance evaluations, provide feedback and support with setting and driving your teams personal and professional goals 

Financial 

• Responsibility for the portfolio P+L, working closely with your team and finance to maintain a profitable business 
• Ability to build small and large program budgets, that drive business objectives 
• Train account team to build small and large budgets, that drive business objectives 
• Ability to reconcile budgets of all sizes, working both independently, with your team and with finance 
• Ultimately responsible for all programs within the portfolio being delivered on time and on budget 
  

Business Operations 

• Superior project management skills, knowing the ins and outs of many different types of productions: video, social, digital, etc. 
• Identifying new areas for business growth and development 
• Monitory the success of programs, providing options to optimize and pivot when required; and areas to excel and improve post-program 
• Manage all external stakeholders pertinent to the portfolio, including but not limited to: key internal departments: production, finance, suppliers, partners, brand teams, agencies, freelancers 

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS 

• At least 5-6 years of experience working Accounts, Client Service, Project Management, or a related role 
• Exceptional leadership and people management skills 
• Proven project management & production experience 
• Understanding of agency budgeting and reporting requirements 
• Proven strategic thinker
• Natural people person with. exceptional interpersonal skills
• Confident and experienced with presentation skills
• Excellent organizational, negotiation and leadership skills
• Outstanding critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to oversee, and deliver against, a large P+L
• Proven ability to identify, pursue and sell business growth opportunities
• Passion and thorough understanding of social media  

The Kitchen, Kraft Heinz, and Salt are committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting and retaining the most qualified employees regardless of race, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age or disability.