Account Director, Brand Sales (MRI-Simmons Team)

About this job

MRI-Simmons is seeking a highly motivated Account Director, Brand Sales to drive both new business acquisition and organic revenue growth within existing accounts.

This is a true hunter-farmer role. The successful candidate will be responsible for identifying, developing, and closing net-new opportunities while also expanding strategic relationships with existing enterprise clients. The Account Director will serve as a consultative partner to marketers, consumer insights teams, media organizations, analytics leaders, CRM teams, audience strategy groups, and retail media stakeholders.

Success in this role requires the ability to uncover business challenges and align the full MRI-Simmons portfolio, including syndicated insights, bespoke research, data enrichment, audience activation, advanced analytics, and strategic solutions, to client objectives.

We are looking for an ambitious sales professional who thrives in complex consultative sales environments, enjoys opening new doors, and can build long-term partnerships that drive recurring growth.

Responsibilities 

• Develop and execute strategic territory and account plans designed to drive both net-new business and expansion revenue.

• Prospect and engage senior decision-makers across brand marketing, consumer insights, analytics, audience development, media, CRM, customer data, and retail media organizations.

• Own the full sales cycle from prospecting through contract execution and renewal.

• Expand relationships within existing accounts by identifying new departments, use cases, and stakeholders that can benefit from MRI-Simmons solutions.

• Consult with clients to understand current consumer intelligence, audience targeting, measurement, and activation approaches and identify opportunities where MRI-Simmons can create value.

• Generate revenue through the sale of:

• MRI-Simmons syndicated consumer insights solutions

• Custom and bespoke research engagements

• First-party data enrichment solutions

• Audience development and segmentation services

• Audience activation solutions

• Retail media audience solutions

• Consumer analytics and strategic consulting services

• Partner with internal research, analytics, client success, and product teams to develop tailored solutions that address client business objectives.

• Identify opportunities to embed MRI-Simmons data into clients' marketing technology, data, measurement, and audience ecosystems.

• Build executive-level relationships and become a trusted advisor to client leadership teams.

• Deliver compelling presentations, business cases, and thought leadership that demonstrate the strategic value of MRI-Simmons.

• Negotiate annual and multi-year agreements while maximizing client retention, expansion, and lifetime value.

• Maintain accurate pipeline reporting, forecasting, and account planning within Salesforce.

• Consistently achieve or exceed new business, renewal, and upsell revenue targets.

• Travel up to 35% as needed.

Preferred Client Targets & Stakeholders 

The ideal candidate will have experience selling into one or more of the following:

• CPG and consumer brands

• Financial services

• Retail and retail media networks

• Healthcare and pharmaceutical organizations

• Telecommunications

• Travel and hospitality

• Automotive

• Technology and emerging digital-first brands

Key buyer personas include: 

• Chief Marketing Officers

• Chief Consumer Insights Officers

• Consumer Insights Directors

• VP/Director of Analytics

• Audience Strategy Leaders

• Media Directors

• CRM and Loyalty Leaders

• Customer Data Platform Leaders

• Retail Media Leaders

• Data Strategy Executives

• Agency and Media Buying Leaders

• 5+ years of successful experience selling syndicated research, audience data, consumer insights, marketing solutions, advertising technology, measurement solutions, data enrichment services, or custom research.

• Demonstrated success in both new business acquisition and account expansion.

• Proven ability to exceed quota in complex consultative sales environments.

• Strong understanding of consumer insights, media, advertising, retail media, MarTech, AdTech, and data ecosystems.

• Experience selling solutions involving consumer intelligence, audience targeting, customer data, activation, analytics, or measurement.

• Ability to engage and influence executive-level decisionmakers.

US Benefits

• 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)

This role has a market-competitive salary with an anticipated base compensation of the following range: $117,500 - $150,000. Actual salaries will vary depending on a candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills, and location. This role is eligible for a sales-based incentive or performance-based bonus. Other benefits include flexible working environment, comprehensive health insurance, industry-leading parental leave, life insurance, education support and more.

#LI-Remote

Our Benefits

• Flexible working environment
• Volunteer time off
• LinkedIn Learning
• Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP)

NIQ may utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools at various stages of the recruitment process, including résumé screening, candidate assessments, interview scheduling, job matching, communication support, and certain administrative tasks that help streamline workflows. These tools are intended to improve efficiency and support fair and consistent evaluation based on job-related criteria. All use of AI is governed by NIQ’s principles of fairness, transparency, human oversight, and inclusion. Final hiring decisions are made exclusively by humans. NIQ regularly reviews its AI tools to help mitigate bias and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. If you have questions, require accommodations, or wish to request human review were permitted by law, please contact your local HR representative. For more information, please visit NIQ’s AI Safety Policies and Guiding Principles:

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

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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