Associate Account Director

Job Description

About Us

Dotted Line is an award-winning, strategically inspired creative agency focused on brand, creative, and content. Our clients are ambitious, and they trust us to help drive growth through clarity, craft, and execution. We are a team that values collaboration, continuous improvement, and pride in the work. From national brands to regional leaders, we build ideas that connect, perform, and endure. Learn more at www.dottedline.agency.

Role Overview

As Associate Account Director, you will lead several of our largest and fastest-growing accounts across industries like tech and healthcare, with a significant focus on our automotive portfolio. You will own senior-level client relationships, lead strategy, protect margins, and oversee the hybrid team in Richmond, VA.

Automotive experience is strongly preferred. Candidates with experience in multi-rooftop dealer groups with the tier structure, co-op economics, OEM compliance requirements, and monthly offer cadence are preferred.

About You

You know automotive. You have experience leading dealer group or OEM relationships, including a deep understanding of tier structures, co-op economics, and the monthly offer cadence of multi-rooftop groups.You are a seasoned agency leader with 5+ years of account leadership experience. You earn trust through consistency and have a track record of organically growing accounts through delivery excellence.You think like an owner. You see the opportunity inside an existing relationship before the client does, and you know how to build the case for it.You are equally comfortable leading a strategy conversation with a CMO or dealer principal and rolling up your sleeves to make sure a timeline holds. You know when each is required.You bring calm to complexity. When priorities shift, budgets tighten, inventory moves, or an escalation lands, you are the steady one in the room.

You Likely Have

Automotive agency or dealer group experience (strongly preferred)5+ years of account leadership experience in an agency environmentA track record of organically growing accounts through relationship building and delivery excellenceExperience leading integrated campaigns across multiple channels and touchpointsCommand of scope, budget, and resourcing - you can protect margin without sacrificing the workExceptional presentation, verbal, and written communication skillsComfort working across all levels of a client organization, from coordinator to C-suiteBachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Role Description & Responsibilities

Client Leadership

Serve as the day-to-day leader on several growing accounts, establishing and deepening senior-level client relationshipsBuild trusted relationships across client organizationsInitiate timely, strategic, proactive dialogue with clientsBring recommendations, industry insight, and points of view to your clients on a consistent cadenceDevelop and lead client presentations in partnership with our strategy, creative, and media teamsManage escalations and difficult conversations with transparency and professionalism

Strategy & Account Growth

Develop marketing strategies and lead annual and campaign-level planning on behalf of your clientsIdentify new opportunities that align to client goals and build the business case to pursue themPartner with agency leadership on scoping, proposals, and contract renewalsNurture and expand account relationships to drive sustainable, organic growth

Delivery & Execution

Lead delivery strategy to ensure work ships on scope, on time, and on budget while meeting our quality standardsOwn budget management across your engagements, flagging risk early and course-correcting before it becomes a client conversationLead internal teams and facilitate cross-functional collaboration between account, project management, strategy, creative, and mediaOversee the day-to-day execution of campaigns, tactics, budgets, and schedulesEnsure timely follow-up, reporting, and communication on every account

Partner & Team Collaboration

Create and maintain strong relationships with partners and vendors to ensure we deliver what we promiseModel Dotted Line's values and leadership behaviors across every team you touch

Tools

Google WorkspaceProductive, Asana, or similar project management and resourcing platformsConstant Contact or similar email platformsFamiliarity with dealer-side platforms, OEM co-op portals, and digital reporting tools is a plus

What Success Looks Like

In This Role, Success Means

Clients consistently rate their satisfaction at 85% or better, and they call you first when something important is happening in their businessYour accounts grow organically year over year through relationship strength and delivery excellenceWork is delivered on time, on scope, and within budget variance targetsZero compliance strikes, and co-op dollars are captured in full across automotive accountsCross-functional teams across the agency point to your accounts as well-run and well-communicatedRisk surfaces early and gets solved internally before it reaches the client

Competencies for Success

In addition to organizational fit as described by Dotted Line's core values:

Strategic and creative thinkingProactiveness and strong initiativeCalm under pressureFlexibility and adaptabilityDetail orientation and high standardsListening and communication skillsPersonal presenceWork ethicEnthusiasm

Dotted Line Benefits

Hybrid work environmentMonthly culture-building activitiesPerformance-based, profit-sharing opportunitiesHealth, Dental, and Vision benefitsSimple IRA Retirement PlanUnlimited paid time off with 4 weeks minimum14 paid company holidays including the week between Christmas and New Year’s2 company-organized paid volunteer days

Company Values We Live Every Day

Treat team members, clients, and partners like you want to be treatedAlways be improving, learning, and growingCollaborate and be a team playerGo the extra mileDo work we are proud ofFocus on client results

Why Should You Apply?

This is an opportunity to lead meaningful work for ambitious clients alongside a team of experienced marketing leaders. You'll have the freedom to push client strategy in pursuit of exponential growth, direct access to agency leadership, and real influence over the work we do for our clients.

If you're an account leader who wants ownership, an experienced team to work alongside, and clients worth investing in, we'd love to hear from you. Please send your resume to [email protected] .