Freelance Account Director - CPG We’re seeking a Freelance Account Director to join our Chicago team (Hybrid - 4 days in-office) on a fixed-term contract, with the possibility of extension or conversion to full-time based on business needs and performance. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in fast-moving CPG environments, enjoys partnering closely with clients and creatives and can step in quickly to lead integrated work at scale. Responsibilities What You’ll Be Doing - Lead the day-to-day stewardship of a major CPG brand across brand, promotional, seasonal, social and digital work. - Act as a trusted client partner, confidently guiding senior stakeholders. - Partner closely with an SVP, Account Director to grow the business in a competitive landscape. - Translate business objectives into clear briefs, strong strategic direction and actionable feedback. - Oversee scopes, timelines, budgets and cross-functional workstreams. - Collaborate seamlessly with creative, strategy, media, production and analytics teams. - Mentor and support mid-level and junior talent while keeping work moving efficiently and on time. Qualifications What We’re Looking For - Proven leadership on large, complex CPG accounts with heavy production demands. - Deep experience delivering integrated campaigns across broadcast, digital video, social, print and OOH. - Comfort using data, performance insights, and retail considerations to inform creative decisions. - Polished communicator with strong client presence and sound judgment. - Calm, solution-oriented leader who thrives in fast-paced environments. - Strong financial stewardship across scopes, burn, forecasting and staffing. Bonus Points If You Bring - A fresh strategic or cultural perspective that elevates audience relevance. - Strong storytelling and creative-evaluation instincts within retail environments. - Experience with high-volume social content, talent-driven work or creator ecosystems. - A track record of introducing smarter processes or efficiencies. Why Contract Talent Love This Role - Clear scope & real impact — step into meaningful leadership, not a stopgap role. - Senior partnership — work closely with SVP leadership and integrated teams. - Full-time focus — 40 hrs/week with clear expectations and priorities. - Hybrid rhythm — consistent in-office collaboration without full-time remote ambiguity. - Upside potential — opportunity to extend or convert based on business needs.