Group Account Director - 2.5 month contract

The Group Account Director (GAD) will lead an account team at Leo Burnett Toronto, focusing on a telecom account for a 2.5-month contract. This hybrid role requires onsite presence three times a week. The GAD will provide strategic direction, manage client relationships at a senior level, oversee business operations, and drive team performance. Key responsibilities include client leadership, strategic planning, relationship building, performance measurement, and team development, ensuring business goals are met while fostering team growth.

Must Have

• Oversee all aspects of client's business, ensuring superior service and operational excellence.
• Develop and communicate strategic account plans to guide agency efforts and unlock business growth.
• Build and nurture strong relationships with senior clients and external agency partners.
• Partner with analytics teams to evaluate results, measure KPIs, and assess performance.
• Manage and motivate a multidisciplinary team, delegating effectively and fostering engagement.
• Work closely with direct reports and agency leadership to identify and capture revenue opportunities.
• 10+ years of progressive account management experience, including 2+ years at GAD level.
• 4+ years of experience managing clients in retail, automotive, or telecom sectors.
• Post-secondary education in Business, Project Management, Marketing, or Communications.
• Demonstrated success in building strong client partnerships and leading high-performing teams.
• Strong financial acumen, with experience managing budgets and forecasting.
• Deep understanding of project management, strategic planning, and creative production processes.
• Strong negotiation skills and confidence in complex discussions.
• Proven leadership and team development capabilities.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.

Company description

We’re a creative consultancy. That means we put creativity at the center of all our thinking—be it strategic consulting, design and advertising or product and service design. If you believe in the power of creativity to transform how people think and behave, you’re in the right place.

Overview

We are looking for an immediate Group Account Director (GAD) to join Leo Toronto onsite/hybrid 3 times per week starting Dec 15th through March 2nd for freelance coverage on one of our telecom accounts.

The Group Account Director (GAD) is responsible for leading their account team and providing strategic direction, vision and applying their overall business acumen to their respective line of business. They will effectively leverage their project and people management skills to drive their teams towards the achievement of business goals and objectives while balancing the demands of their clients. The GAD will maintain regular day-to-day relationships with leadership on the client side, acting as the primary liaison between the account team and client team at the senior level. They will also serve their team as a mentor, facilitating overall growth and effective career pathing.

Responsibilities

• Client Leadership & Business Management

Oversee all aspects of the client’s business, ensuring superior service, operational excellence, and the identification of new opportunities that expand the agency’s impact. Maintain deep understanding of client objectives, approved scopes, financial structures, and the implications of any plan or budget changes.

• Strategic Direction & Planning

Develop and communicate strategic account plans that guide agency efforts and unlock business growth. Lead strategic planning activities, applying strong industry knowledge to address client challenges and influence senior stakeholders.

• Relationship Building

Build and nurture strong relationships with senior clients and external agency partners, serving as a trusted advisor and consistently representing the agency with professionalism and thought leadership.

• Performance & Measurement

Partner with analytics teams to evaluate results, measure KPIs, and assess performance against initial strategies and objectives. Leverage insights to inform optimizations and future planning.

• Team Leadership & Development

Manage and motivate a multidisciplinary team by delegating effectively, fostering engagement, and ensuring the team remains challenged and inspired. Serve as a positive role model, mentor talent, and support personal and professional growth by leveraging individual strengths.

• Agency Growth & Collaboration

Work closely with direct reports and agency leadership to identify and capture revenue opportunities, contributing to overall agency growth. Stay current on industry trends and share relevant insights with teams to enhance collective expertise.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive account management experience, including a minimum of 2+ years at the Group Account Director level.
• 4+ years of experience managing clients within the retail, automotive, or telecom sectors.
• Post-secondary education in Business, Project Management, Marketing, Communications, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success in building strong client partnerships and leading high-performing teams.
• Strong financial acumen, with experience managing budgets, forecasting, and overall account financial health.
• Deep understanding of project management, strategic planning, and creative production processes across channels.
• Strong negotiation skills and confidence navigating complex discussions.
• Creative, strategic, and conceptual thinker with a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach.
• Proven leadership and team development capabilities, including effective supervision, delegation, and mentorship.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with experience presenting to senior stakeholders.
• Highly motivated, driven, and able to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and collaborative environment.

Additional information

Leo Burnett Toronto is an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. Drawing on valuable perspectives and insights from our unique workforce allows us to continue sharing our best work with the world. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and will provide appropriate accommodation for candidates with disabilities or accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process, upon request. Please contact our recruiter for any questions, accommodations or specific requests.