Account Director

Place & Destination Marketing Practice

This position is based in Fort Worth, Texas. Because this is a leadership role centered on collaboration, coaching and client partnership, regular in-office presence is expected. Schaefer offers hybrid work flexibility but this is not a remote position.

About Schaefer

For more than 25 years, Schaefer Advertising has partnered with organizations facing high-stakes, high-impact business and marketing challenges. We believe our greatest value isn’t simply creating campaigns—it’s helping clients solve meaningful business problems through thoughtful strategy, exceptional creativity and measurable results.

As an independent agency, we intentionally build long-term partnerships with organizations that are making a difference in the communities they serve. Our clients trust us because we take time to understand their business, challenge conventional thinking and deliver work that creates measurable impact.

We believe exceptional work comes from exceptional people. That’s why we’ve built a culture rooted in collaboration, curiosity, accountability and genuine care for one another. We encourage initiative, celebrate different perspectives and believe the best leaders leave every client, every teammate and every part of the agency stronger than they found it.

We don’t aspire to be the biggest agency. We aspire to be the agency clients trust when the stakes are high.

Our Purpose

Make Life Better.

It’s more than a tagline—it’s the standard that guides every decision we make.

We exist to make life better for our clients, our team, our community and ourselves. That purpose shapes how we serve our clients, how we develop our people and how we define success. We believe the best work happens when talented people care deeply about one another, continually challenge themselves to grow and approach every opportunity with humility, optimism and a commitment to excellence.

If that resonates with you, you’ll likely feel at home at Schaefer.

The Opportunity

Schaefer Advertising is seeking an experienced agency leader to serve as Account Director for our Place & Destination Marketing Practice.

This practice serves destination marketing organizations, attractions, arts and cultural organizations, hospitality partners and other organizations that help shape communities and create memorable experiences.

As Account Director, you’ll lead key client relationships, develop exceptional people, strengthen industry partnerships and help drive the continued growth, reputation and long-term success of the practice.

Success in this role is measured by more than delivering excellent client work. It is reflected in the strength of the relationships you build, the people you develop, the opportunities you create and the long-term health of the practice.

What We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate is an experienced agency leader who combines strategic thinking with strong business acumen and exceptional relationship-building skills.

You’re equally comfortable leading executive-level client conversations, coaching a growing team and collaborating with specialists across media, creative, strategy, analytics and digital.

Clients trust you because you understand their business—not just their marketing.

You are naturally curious, commercially minded and proactive. You look for opportunities to strengthen client partnerships, improve how work gets done and contribute to the continued growth of the agency.

You embrace technology, including AI, as a tool to improve strategic thinking, operational excellence and client value.

Requirements

• 8–10+ years of progressive agency or marketing leadership experience.
• Demonstrated ability to proactively identify and lead opportunities for client growth and new business development.
• Experience leading a significant client portfolio, business unit or vertical.
• Experience in place-making, attractions, tourism, arts, hospitality or related industries is preferred.
• Demonstrated success growing existing client relationships and contributing to new business development.
• Strong executive-level client relationship experience.
• Financial management experience including forecasting, resource planning, budgeting and scope development.
• Demonstrated success leading and developing people.
• Strong business and strategic acumen.
• Experience integrating AI into professional workflows and leading teams through adoption.
• Comfortable working in a collaborative, values-driven independent agency.
• College degree required.
• Ability to work within a wide variety of client budgets to meet their business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Practice Leadership

• Lead and strengthen Schaefer’s Place & Destination Marketing Practice.
• Help establish strategic priorities and long-range goals for the practice.
• Maintain industry expertise and continually strengthen Schaefer’s reputation within the sectors we serve.
• Champion collaboration across account service, media, strategy, creative, analytics and digital.
• Help ensure the practice continues evolving alongside changing client and industry needs.

Client Leadership

• Serve as the senior strategic advisor for key client relationships.
• Build trusted partnerships with executive-level client leadership.
• Lead annual planning, strategic initiatives and high-impact presentations.
• Anticipate client needs and proactively bring new ideas and opportunities forward.
• Navigate sensitive client situations with confidence and sound judgment.
• Ensure exceptional client service and measurable business results.

Practice Growth

At Schaefer, leadership includes a responsibility to strengthen and grow the practice. Actively build Schaefer’s visibility and relationships within the Place & Destination marketing community through industry involvement, speaking opportunities, networking and thought leadership.

Working closely with agency leadership and our Business Development team, the Account Director is expected to actively strengthen existing client relationships while helping identify opportunities for organic growth and new business.

Responsibilities include:

• Continually identify client business challenges where Schaefer can create additional value.
• Develop trusted relationships throughout the Place & Destination Marketing community.
• Represent Schaefer at industry conferences, networking events and professional organizations.
• Partner with the Business Development team on prospect strategy, proposals and presentations.
• Help position Schaefer as the agency organizations turn to when they face high-stakes, high-impact marketing challenges.
• Contribute to annual growth goals through client retention, organic growth and new client acquisition.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing Account Service team.
• Recruit, onboard and mentor future talent.
• Foster accountability, collaboration and continuous learning.
• Conduct meaningful coaching and performance conversations.
• Build a culture where people are challenged, supported and empowered to grow.

Financial Stewardship

• Maintain responsibility for the financial health of the practice.
• Partner with agency leadership on forecasting, staffing and resource planning.
• Anticipate and resolve revenue concerns.
• Ensure work is delivered efficiently, profitably and with exceptional quality.
• Develop scopes of work and proposals that create value for clients while supporting agency objectives.

AI & Innovation

• Lead thoughtful adoption of AI across the practice.
• Help the team integrate AI into everyday work in ways that improve quality, efficiency and strategic thinking.
• Stay informed on emerging technologies and identify opportunities to strengthen how Schaefer serves clients.
• Model responsible, practical and innovative use of AI.

Our Ideal Account Director

Our most successful leaders share several common characteristics.

They:

• Build trusted client partnerships.
• Develop exceptional people.
• Think strategically while executing with excellence.
• Strengthen the agency through curiosity, initiative and collaboration.
• Look for opportunities to create greater value for clients and for Schaefer.
• Balance optimism with accountability.
• Lead with humility, confidence and emotional intelligence.
• Bring practical, common-sense solutions to complex challenges.
• Help shape what’s next rather than waiting for change to happen.

Benefits

• 401k with 3% Employer Contribution
• Health, Dental, Disability and Life Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Generous Holiday Schedule
• Dog Friendly Environment
• Office closure between Christmas and New Years
• Paid volunteer time
• Paid parental leave

What’s Next?

If this opportunity—and more importantly, Schaefer Advertising—feels like the right fit, we’d love to hear from you.

Please submit your resume. Our hiring process is thoughtful and thorough because we’re committed to finding people who not only have the right experience, but who also share our values and our commitment to helping make life better.