Account Director, Shopper Marketing - Waconia - Acosta Group

Description

The Account Director, Shopper Marketing will lead strategic planning and execution of shopper‑centric programs for major retail partners, with a strong emphasis on Target, Albertsons, This role is ideal for a seasoned shopper or trade marketing professional with prior agency experience, comfortable owning client relationships, guiding strategic recommendations, and delivering high-impact retail activations.

In this role, you will oversee the design, execution, and optimization of integrated shopper programs—including in-store events, experiential activations, and omnichannel promotions—built to influence purchase behavior and drive conversion at retail. You will partner closely with brand clients, retail partners, and internal teams to translate business objectives into actionable, insight‑driven shopper marketing plans.

This position requires expertise in event planning, vendor negotiation and management, budget development, performance tracking, and building marketing and measurement frameworks that clearly communicate ROI. As programs launch, you will serve as a trusted brand and agency advocate, ensuring flawless execution and best‑in‑class delivery through close partnership with Market Managers, creative teams, retail partners, and third‑party vendors.

The Account Director will guide all day‑to‑day program operations, provide strategic oversight across multiple workstreams, and ensure your team consistently exceeds expectations by delivering shopper experiences that are engaging, scalable, and aligned to retailer priorities.
It will require creating and activating fully integrated marketing campaigns that bring clients brands to life in a variety of ways through event marketing, PR stunts, regional and national events and channel specific advocacy events/parties, viral campaigns, and digital executions.

Acosta Group is a collective uniting the most trusted retail, marketing, and foodservice agencies—Acosta, ActionLink, CORE Foodservice, CROSSMARK, Mosaic, Premium Retail Services, and Product Connections. Together, we connect consumers with the brands they love through omnichannel selling, merchandising, brand advocacy, and integrated marketing.

We recognize our associates are the foundation of our success. That's why we prioritize your growth, development, and well-being to help you reach your full potential. With programs designed to support a fulfilling work-life balance, we offer opportunities that fit your lifestyle and ambitions—whether you're looking for part-time flexibility or full-time career advancement.

Ready for a career path that's as unique as you? Discover your path at Acosta Group

Acosta Group is an equal opportunity employer and will ensure that applicants with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Be sure to include "Applicant Accommodation" in the subject of your email to expedite the request.

Acosta Group believes in good faith that the minimum and maximum annual salary or hourly compensation range for this opportunity is accurate and reasonable at the time of posting.

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What You'll Bring

• Shopper & Trade Marketing Expertise: Deep understanding of shopper behavior, retailer priorities, and path‑to‑purchase strategy, with a strong ability to translate insights into compelling retail marketing programs.
• Agency Experience: Proven success in an agency environment managing multiple clients, balancing competing priorities, and delivering high-quality work under tight timelines.
• Retailer Knowledge: Hands-on experience developing and executing programs for major retailers—ideally Target, Albertsons, or other big-box partners—with a working knowledge of retailer processes, compliance, and expectations.
• Strategic Leadership: Ability to guide clients on integrated shopper marketing strategies, recommend solutions rooted in insights, and influence decision-making at multiple levels.
• Program & Event Execution: Strong background in experiential marketing, in-store events, sampling programs, and large-scale retail activations from concept to execution.
• Vendor & Partner Management: Skilled in negotiating with vendors, managing third-party partners, ensuring quality standards, and maintaining cost efficiency.
• Budget Ownership: Experience developing budgets, tracking spend, reconciling invoices, and ensuring programs deliver measurable ROI.
  Team Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams—including Market Managers, creative, production, and field teams—while fostering collaboration and high performance.
• Client Relationship Management: Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills; able to serve as the primary point of contact, build trust, and maintain long-term partnerships.
• Operational Excellence: Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, ensuring all programs launch flawlessly and meet or exceed client expectations.
  Measurement & Analytics Mindset: Ability to develop measurement plans, interpret program performance, and deliver clear, insight-driven reporting to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Proactive Problem-Solving: Resourcefulness and adaptability to navigate challenges, adjust quickly to shifting needs, and keep programs running smoothly.

Experience Requirement:

1. 10+ years of Experiential Marketing experience

2. 8+ years supervisor / management experience required

3. Proven experience in client service, business development and overall program management experience (concept, implementation, and execution with excellence)

4. Experience managing a multi-market team of Market Managers/Event Managers

5. Prior experience working with Target, Kroeger, and Albertsons

6. Previous experience collaborating with partner agencies.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Requirements:

1. Strong client communication skills (insight, analysis, and program reporting);

2. Solid understanding of social media tools and digital platforms;

3. Strong computer application skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and ability to work in a digital work environment.

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