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On Board Experiential · 1 day ago

Account Director - Hospitality & Restaurant Lead

New York, NY

Full-time

Hybrid

Lead/Staff, Director/Executive

$100K/yr - $150K/yr

5+ years exp

On Board Experiential (OBE) is an award-winning agency that creates meaningful brand experiences worldwide. The Account Director is responsible for delivering exceptional service, managing client accounts, and providing strategic solutions while focusing on building relationships in the restaurant and hospitality sectors.

AdvertisingMarketing

Comp. & Benefits

Responsibilities

Demonstrate thought leadership with insightful analysis of client objectives and develop innovative solutions that successfully deliver clients’ message and enhance the brand presence

Collaborate with creative strategy to conduct research and develop insights for brand and audience analysis, as the foundation to build concept development

Drive and / or supervise client activations to ensure proper planning, development and execution with the utmost professionalism and accountability

Develop and manage program SOWs ensuring resources, budgets, timelines, and deliverables stay aligned with terms of contract and client commitments

Critically evaluate and offer solutions to optimize client budgets and internal resource management

Provide ongoing monitoring and guidance of expenses and actual costs for approved program budgets. Lead honest and challenging conversations with clients at times of budget misalignment

Provide ongoing monitoring and guidance of creative deliverables, ensuring client review and approvals as needed in partnership with program Creative lead. Lead honest and challenging conversations with clients at times of creative misalignment

Manage multiple projects simultaneously and/or supervise other account personnel, such as Account Managers, Account Coordinators, Interns, and external teams

Provide mentorship and candid real time feedback to direct reports, cross functional team members as needed and appropriate

Actively listen and empower others to lead conversations, motivate others and share confidence in others with authenticity

Recognize the audience needs with varying tones and approach, ability to read the room and address immediately and honestly

Ability to self-navigate through conflict resolution, and the ability to recognize when to seek support, strong self-awareness of own energy and contribution

In collaboration with Leadership and Executive team, guide teams through conflict resolution, and the ability to recognize when to seek support

Drive new business development, including identifying new opportunities with new and existing clients. Lead RFPs process with cross functional team

Continually strive to identify new opportunities to enhance the agency’s services and lines of business

Remain current in industry trends, competitive landscapes, creative technology innovations

Build and maintain trusted relationships with restaurants, chefs, and hospitality groups across key markets, with a focus on New York City and East Coast regions

Curate and manage restaurant partnerships and activations for experiential programs, ensuring seamless integration into client initiatives

Serve as an advisor on restaurant operations and industry trends, collaborating closely with creative and experiential teams to deliver elevated guest experiences

Oversee restaurant partner communications, from prospecting through onboarding and execution

Track partnership satisfaction post-activation and identify opportunities for long-term growth

Maintain a pulse on hospitality industry news, trends, and emerging talent to inform client and agency strategies

Qualification

Client relationship managementHospitality industry knowledgeProject managementMarketing experienceFinancial managementCoachingNatural curiosityCommunication skillsMentoringProblem-solving skillsActive listening

Required

Minimum 5 years of experience in marketing, promotions, and events within a marketing agency, preferably experiential marketing

Must have significant client service with on-site and/or virtual event experience

Digital, interactive, and/or online branding and program experience

Brand management experience a plus

BA/BS in marketing, business administration, communications, or related field; MBA degree is a plus

3+ years of experience in hospitality, food & beverage, or restaurant relationship management strongly preferred

Strong communication skills with ability to connect with others authentically while equally honoring and respecting diverse perspectives

Ability to build trust and respect through active coaching, communication, and listening

Exceptional track record growing and managing client relationships with key stakeholders, and executive decision makers

Demonstrated track record of developing and mentoring account team personnel

Forward thinking and excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to pro-actively anticipate obstacles and issues, properly communicate to appropriate parties, and create solutions on a timely basis

Ability to continuously seek and identify areas of organic growth and expansion of services offered to clients

Must have experience managing financials and forecasts

Established network within the restaurant and hospitality community, particularly in NYC and East Coast markets

Understanding of both front-of-house and back-of-house operations, with the ability to bridge partner needs with program activations

Natural curiosity—the drive to always be learning and growing, professionally and personally

High energy and flexibility in working non-traditional hours as needed (some nights and weekends as deadlines dictate)

Ability to lift up to 25 pounds and stay on your feet for extended periods of time

Willingness to work a hybrid schedule (up to 4 days in office) and travel up to 50% of the time

Comfortable attending industry events, dining out as part of relationship development, and representing the agency at high-profile hospitality experiences