Senior Account Executive

Reporting Location: Chicago - 345 North Morgan $77,000-$82,000 Workplace Type: Hybrid TEAM: Client Services / Account Management CLIENT: Cuisinart (Part of Conair Team) REPORTING TO: Account Director ABOUT US tms unites technology, marketing, and sourcing to drive transformational change for the world’s leading brands. With more than 1,400 employees across 28 countries., we offer an impressive range of solutions – from inspiration and innovation to category management and delivery. Operating as a creative agency, a strategic consultancy, a sourcing business, and a technology provider, we engage with over 110 million customers every single day for our clients, including McDonald’s, T-Mobile, O2, Starbucks, Conair, and adidas. Most importantly, we're a place where you can achieve great things, and be recognized as the best. WHAT MATTERS THE MOST Breakthrough, business-driving ideas come from extraordinary people with the freedom to be their most authentic selves at work. Authenticity and diversity are critical elements of our business. They can only be realized when we create access and equity for all. We foster a culture of inclusion and belonging and aspire to be ever-evolving. tms is a place where brilliant people are better together. If you want your ideas to be heard and to contribute to a culture of inclusion and authenticity, bring us your voice! Visit us at tmsw.com. THE OPPORTUNITY The Senior Account Executive serves as a day-to-day lead for the Cuisinart account within the Client Services / Account Management team. The role is responsible for managing client relationships, supporting the Account Director in delivering Cuisinart’s Big Bet programs from initiation through execution, independently managing channel- and retailer-specific requests end-to-end, and integrating 360 capabilities—strategy, creative, content, production, studio, digital, social, retail/shopper, and analytics—into a cohesive program. This position operates with significant autonomy on channel- and retailer-specific requests, managing them from brief through delivery, while partnering with the Account Director on Big Bet initiatives to co-lead planning, client communications, and execution. The Senior Account Executive will also manage one Account Executive in support of the broader workstream. In addition, this role is accountable for evaluating how work is delivered, identifying inefficiencies, and driving operational improvements—standardizing recurring workflows, refining status and approval cadences, and introducing tools and templates that enable the team to deliver with greater speed and consistency. The ideal candidate is an experienced relationship manager who excels at running integrated programs end-to-end and brings a proactive approach to process improvement. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Client relationships & day-to-day leadership Manage the day-to-day Cuisinart relationship, building credibility with Global Creative Services, brand, and product stakeholders, and establishing the role as a trusted partner in shaping the work. Partner with the Account Director on Cuisinart’s Big Bet programs from brief through delivery, translating client objectives into defined scopes, plans, timelines, and approvals, and co-leading client communications and program execution. Independently lead channel- and retailer-specific Cuisinart requests end-to-end, including scoping, briefing, internal coordination, client approvals, and final delivery. Manage and develop one Account Executive, including delegating responsibilities, setting priorities, reviewing work for accuracy and quality, and building their capabilities across client communications, status reporting, timelines, and deliverable tracking. Lead weekly status meetings, internal reviews, and client check-ins; document decisions and next steps consistently; and escalate risks early with a recommended course of action. Leading Big Bet programs with 360 components Coordinate the full 360 program, partnering with Strategy, Creative, Content, Production, Studio, Digital, Social, Retail/Shopper, and Analytics to deliver an integrated program across paid, owned, and earned channels. Maintain ownership of project details, including briefs, timelines, dependencies, asset trackers, and approval logs across every workstream, ensuring the program is delivered on-brand, on-strategy, and on-time. Manage program financials and resourcing on a day-to-day basis, including tracking burn rates, supporting estimates and SOW updates, and ensuring scope, assumptions, and change requests are clearly documented with the client. Process improvement & operational excellence Identify process gaps and propose solutions, including diagnosing root causes, designing improved workflows, and implementing changes across the team. Develop repeatable templates and processes—including status formats, brief templates, kickoff agendas, asset trackers, and QA checklists. Champion a culture of continuous improvement by leading program retrospectives, documenting outcomes and learnings, and sharing insights across the account. QUALIFICATIONS 4–6 years in client services / account management within an integrated, creative, or marketing agency, with a track record of progressing from supporting accounts to owning them. Demonstrated experience leading 360 / integrated programs end-to-end — managing briefs, dependencies, approvals, risk, and timelines across strategy, creative, content, production, studio, digital, social, and analytics. Confident, polished client presence, with proven experience serving as a day-to-day point of contact for marketing and brand stakeholders. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with sound judgment regarding when to inform, recommend, or escalate. Experience managing or mentoring a junior team member (e.g., Account Executive or Account Coordinator), including delegation, coaching, work review, and developing client-facing confidence. Additional Attributes Demonstrates exceptional attention to detail across timelines, briefs, status reports, approvals, and follow-through, with the ability to identify issues proactively. Brings a systems-level perspective, with the ability to identify process breakdowns, propose improvements, and lead their implementation through to adoption. Preferred Experience Experience working on CPG, home goods, small appliance, or kitchen/lifestyle brands. Experience on tentpole or large-scale integrated campaigns requiring cohesive execution across paid, owned, earned, retail, and social channels. Starting salary between $77,000-$82,000 TOTAL REWARDS Our total rewards philosophy integrates programs for compensation, benefits, recognition, learning and development, corporate culture, corporate citizenship and work-life balance. While individual program components may differ by country, some things remain constant: Our commitment to rewarding results Opportunities to work with talented and driven individuals at every level of our company who respect each other, treat each other fairly and hold one another accountable for our customers’—and our company’s—success There's more ... Generous medical, dental, vision and other great benefits Paid parental and medical leave programs 401(k) with a company match component and profit sharing 15 days of paid time off plus company holidays Hybrid work model Tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment assistance Inclusive employee resource groups EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER We are an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. RECRUITING AGENCIES tms does not accept agency resumes submitted by third-party vendors unless a valid agreement has been signed and the tms Talent Acquisition Team has granted authorization for submissions for a specified position. Please do not submit or forward resumes to our site, tms employees, or any other company location. tms is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes. Nearest Major Market: Chicago