Account Director_Media Arts Lab Tokyo

TBWA\Media Arts Lab is the global network dedicated to Apple advertising.

The agency was founded on the core premise of “media ideas, artfully told” and was born out of a desire for a confidential, bespoke advertising network focused solely on creating iconic work for our only client.

Today, our relationship with Apple is over 40 years old and Media Arts Lab now has 8 hub offices around the world managing advertising in 20+ markets.

Purpose of the role

The Account Director leads the pod team, driving the global strategic and creative development of Apple campaigns while ensuring flawless execution across markets. This role exists to align client ambition with agency craft — translating complex business goals into clear strategy, powerful ideas, and world-class work.

You are a senior partner to Apple and a leader within MAL, guiding teams with clarity, empathy, and high standards. With a global lens and operational rigor, you ensure work moves seamlessly across regions, disciplines, and timelines. Above all, you elevate both the work and the people behind it, building teams that deliver at the highest level.

The Work

• Serve as the primary point of contact for senior clients and agency leadership, building trusted, long-term relationships across regions and disciplines.
• Guide the development of strategic briefs and integrated communications plans in partnership with global teams including media agency and clients.
• Provide strategic oversight across campaigns, shaping direction while staying aligned with client objectives and brand goals.
• Mentor and develop the Account team, offering regular feedback, growth opportunities, and fostering a positive, collaborative pod culture.
• Champion cross-functional collaboration, ensuring clarity, momentum, and efficiency across teams.
• Oversee multi-market, high-profile campaigns, maintaining global consistency, quality, and brand standards.
• Track progress, surface risks early, and bring data-informed insights and recommendations to clients.
• Manage resources with GAD and Project Management, balancing workload and utilization across the pod.
• Model best-in-class client leadership and communication for the broader department.

Who Will Thrive in This Role?

• You’re a strategic leader who balances big-picture thinking with operational rigor.
• You build trust easily and thrive in long-term client partnerships.
• You bring clarity to complexity and calm to fast-moving environments.
• You care deeply about the people behind the work and invest in their growth.
• You’re energized by global, multi-market work and navigating diverse perspectives.
• You lead with curiosity, generosity, and a belief in collective success.
• You hold a high bar for craft, collaboration, and culture.

Qualifications & Skills

• 8+ years of experience in account management, ideally within a creative agency.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present strategy and results clearly.
• Proven experience leading and mentoring teams in high-performance environments.
• Demonstrated success managing large, complex, global campaigns.
• Ability to manage multiple work streams in a fast-paced setting.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills with a proactive, hands-on approach.
• Experience partnering with production teams and external vendors to deliver creative assets.