Account Director - Retail

Job Title: Account Director - Retail

Location: San Francisco, CA

Workplace Type: Hybrid

Salary Range: $180,000 - $220,000 base + 10 - 20% bonus

The Account Director - Retail will play a critical role in driving the growth of the firm's retail expertise by developing and executing service offerings that address the evolving needs of the retail industry. Overseeing both business development and project execution, the Director will be responsible for guiding retail-focused engagements from client acquisition through to successful completion, ensuring measurable outcomes and long-term client relationships. Directors are also central figures in fostering our vibrant culture. This entails spending meaningful time both in our office and at client sites, actively engaging with the team to cultivate collaboration and camaraderie.

Account Management

• Oversee a $4 - 6MM annual business line, driving growth and profitability.
• Develop and implement strategic sales plans to achieve revenue targets and maximize profitability at one large account or a portfolio of medium sized accounts.
• Identify emerging client needs and develop tailored solutions at established accounts. Expand accounts through upselling and cross-selling.
• Develop proposals, presentations, and statements of work (SOW) that align with client objectives and Propeller's capabilities. Negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms with clients to secure profitable deals.
• Oversee administrative aspects of client account management, ensuring seamless coordination and execution of tasks.

New Business Development

• Engage new clients by leveraging retail industry expertise to sell transformative project work.
• Continuously monitor the latest retail industry advancements, technologies, and consumer trends to ensure the firm remains a leader in innovative retail consulting solutions.
• Create thought leadership content such as white papers, webinars, and speaking engagements focused on retail, establishing the firm as an authority on retail consulting and industry expertise.
• Drive strategic sales initiatives by identifying leads, qualifying opportunities, and crafting compelling proposals that not only secure new business but also fortify our strategic positioning within the market.
• Expand firm visibility through relationship-building and networking internally and externally. Act as a thought leader, leveraging networking opportunities and influence to position Propeller as a leader in innovation.

Client Engagement Leadership

• Leverage deep knowledge of retail industry to lead consulting projects focused on addressing industry challenges such as digital transformation, customer loyalty programs, and e-commerce strategies.
• Oversee the scope and quality of client projects, ensuring alignment with client expectations, project goals, and resource allocation.
• Meet with clients on a regular cadence to check-in on progress, request feedback for the team, and assess overall client satisfaction.
• Build strong client relationships through executive-level communication, proactive problem-solving, and a deep understanding of client needs.
• Lead and manage teams effectively, ensuring high-quality project delivery and client satisfaction.

Team Management

• Provide comprehensive performance management support through regular 1:1 meetings, project reviews, and coaching, while actively identifying development opportunities and facilitating growth.
• Conduct mid-year and annual performance reviews, making informed recommendations for competency and compensation decisions, and documenting development conversations and feedback for smooth transitions.
• Collaborate closely with the talent team to identify and nurture emerging talent for future growth and development, as well as support in recruitment efforts.
• Support firm growth by sponsoring initiative teams and cultivating talent within these teams.
• Lead and mentor a cohort of 8-12 consultants, fostering a collaborative community dedicated to professional growth and excellence in service delivery.

Qualifications:

A wide variety of backgrounds and experiences may be aligned to the work we do. If you believe you have the qualifications, even if your role titles did not necessarily use the same words, we encourage you to apply. A real person reads all our applications, and your background and experience will be assessed holistically.

Must-have:

• 10+ years of retail or consulting experience, including at least 5 years of leading teams and selling work in the retail industry
• Deep understanding of the retail sector, including marketing strategy, merchandising, supply chain , and digital transformation on both brick-and-mortar and e-commerce operations
• Proven track record in developing relationships, driving new business, and crafting innovative solutions for complex client challenges
• Skilled in scoping projects, writing proposals, and delivering compelling presentations to senior stakeholders throughout the client engagement process
• Bachelor's degree
• Ability to travel based on client need (up to 10%)
• Ability to demonstrate a legal right to work in the U.S.

Nice-to-have:

• 
  

  Master's degree or relevant certifications

  
  

About Propeller:

Propeller is a people-focused management consulting firm that helps individuals, teams, and organizations thrive in change. Organizations hire us to solve problems, inspire transformation, and drive change. We work with clients to align teams and priorities, clear hurdles, and deliver customized solutions. And in doing so, Propeller helps spark, regain, and accelerate the most impactful and energizing force we know: momentum.

Our clients are generally large and mid-size organizations in the retail, technology, healthcare, and utility industries. These organizations are where we drive the most impact, but we serve all different types of clients. We have offices in Portland, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and Denver - and are growing into Dallas and Minneapolis.

Propeller may be for you if you have an unyielding passion for unraveling complex challenges, delivering creative, impact-driven solutions, and creating lasting progress. You are curious, you thrive in the unknown, and you have the grit to continue moving projects forward while guiding leaders and teams through ambiguous challenges.

Additional Details:

Compensation:We believe in fairly and equitably compensating our employees for their time and experience. We do that by offering a competitive salary, uncapped bonus eligibility, an employee stock ownership program, and many other benefits. Individual salaries are based on a variety of factors, including years of experience and specific skill sets. The base compensation range for this position is $180,000 - $220,000 base + a 10 - 20% bonus target, which is specific to the location for this job posting. Typically, individuals are not hired at the top of the range for their role; however, base pay ranges are reviewed and updated each year based on performance.

Location: We believe being physically present with each other and our clients strengthens our relationships, promotes creativity and innovation, and ultimately produces a stronger, more durable result for our clients and ourselves. Propeller employees work in a hybrid model, spending at least 2 days per week working from their local Propeller office. Applicants should currently live in the Bay Area, or plan to relocate upon hire.

Hiring Timeline: The hiring process will include 4 interviews spanning across 4 - 6 weeks. We value transparency and are committed to keeping you updated on the progress of your application. If there are any updates on the timeline for this role, we will communicate them to you promptly.