Account Director (West Coast)

Who We Are

Ardent offers a small company feel, with big company results. We’re a custom training provider that helps organizations thrive through their people — by unlocking their potential and improving business performance.

Our three decades of success is due to Ardent’s tenacious team who embody client services in all we do. We’re always on the lookout for innovative, curious, and passionate people who can help us continue to support our clients and achieve our goals.

And we’re growing! Currently, we’re looking for an Account Manager based on the West Coast (Orange County area) who will be a key member of our team. Our ideal candidate will have a strong background in the Automotive industry, specifically working with OEMs, and should be confident and comfortable leading both client and internal project teams.

We’re excited to connect with candidates who align with our values and the qualifications outlined below. Be sure to learn more about our Benefits & Perks, Core Values, and Holistic Approach to Learning here: https://www.ardentlearning.com/careers.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Serve as the senior point of contact for day-to-day management of key Automotive client accounts.
• Develop, oversee and maintain detailed program plans (collection of projects) to monitor and track progress of Ardent engagements, ensuring client specifications and deadlines are met.
• Drive revenue growth within accounts; possessing the skills to explore, scope, forecast and close opportunities as part of a documented account plan.
• Push to stay ahead of the client and project team by always staying on top of what's on the horizon for the engagement/program — ensuring alignment and resource ownership with the Ardent team and client on current and upcoming tasks/milestones.
• Engage with Ardent's Solutions Team as appropriate to solve client challenges.
• Above all, monitor the health of the client relationship through proactive communication.
• Oversee design, development, and production of projects to ensure client specifications and deadlines are met.
• Develop, maintain, and monitor progress reports, project plans, timelines and budgets with focus on attention to detail and customer satisfaction.
• Plan and manage budgets; deliver on revenue and profit goals for account(s).
• Develop a quick understanding of client culture and teams.
• Handle the strategic direction, coordination, implementation, execution, control and oversight for all projects for a single client (or group of clients) while remaining aligned with strategy, commitments and goals of Ardent.
• Communicate complex ideas clearly, with excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Other duties as assigned.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, Communications or related field or equivalent years of experience
• 7 – 10 years’ experience as a team leader on strategic programs/development engagements in the Automotive Industry
• 3 – 5 years' experience in team member development
• Well versed in the sales and aftersales service functions in the Automotive industry
• A team-oriented, cross functional and collaborative leader – able to lead members of both Ardent and client teams
• An effective communicator with stakeholders at all levels of an organization
• Not afraid of having difficult conversations in order to align team members, leaders and project sponsors on key decisions
• A skilled listener who asks strong questions
• A politically savvy relationship builder
• Theoretical and practical project management knowledge
• Proficiency in tools and technology including project management software tools
• Effectively communicate planning/visioning with a consultative 'selling' approach

What We Offer

• Unlimited PTO. We trust our employees and want them to establish an ideal work-life balance.
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance. We offer excellent benefits for the health of our team and their families.
• 401K Plan. We support our employees in setting up a comfortable future.
• Cell Phone Reimbursement. We got you covered.
• Company Paid Community Service Time. We encourage employees to give back to their communities.
• Company Paid Parental & Adoption Leave. We value the importance of parents bonding with a new child.
• Company Paid Short & Long Term Disability. We help employees plan for the unexpected.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Come as you are. Ardent is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment for all employees.