Senior Account Director

About Tunnl

Tunnl is building a future where artificial intelligence enables organizations to connect meaningfully with the people who matter most. We help organizations conduct research at scale, define the right audiences, surface real-time insights, identify optimal communication channels, and measure changing attitudes over time.

Tunnl serves brands, agencies, and advocacy groups alike - organizations navigating complex communications, reputational, and regulatory landscapes. These teams need smarter, faster ways to make audience-informed decisions that stand up to scrutiny and resonate across stakeholder groups. Whether you're building a brand, shaping public opinion, managing risk, or launching a new initiative, Tunnl empowers you to move from insight to impact with clarity & confidence.

About the Role

The Senior Account Director is a senior leader within Tunnl’s Client Experience team, responsible for delivering exceptional value to clients, managing complex accounts, and mentoring junior team members. This role bridges insight delivery, strategic partnership, and internal coordination, serving as a key driver of client retention and growth.

Reporting to the VP of Client Experience and Insights, this position owns a $3M–$4M book of business and collaborates closely with Research & Data Operations, Product, and Sales to ensure Tunnl’s work is impactful, efficient, and aligned to client priorities.

This is a hands-on, externally facing role requiring strong business acumen, storytelling skills, and operational clarity. You will lead client conversations, scope new work streams, and coach Account Managers and Analysts to deliver with excellence.

The ideal candidate is a motivated self-starter who enjoys solving problems, works well in fast-paced environments, takes pride in getting the details right, and is eager to leverage their technical and analytical skills in survey research and microtargeting. While it's preferable to have candidates in the DC-area, this role is open to US-based, fully remote candidates as well.

Client Strategy & Growth

• Lead day-to-day management of high-value client accounts across advocacy, corporate, or agency sectors
• Partner with AEs to drive renewals, upsells, and long-term account expansion
• Translate client business goals into scoped research and audience strategies
• Present insights and recommendations to senior stakeholders

Project Oversight & Delivery

• Scope and manage projects across research, reporting, and audience activation
• Ensure timely delivery of client outputs and escalate blockers when needed
• Provide feedback and coaching to team members on storytelling, timelines, and client-facing materials
• Maintain quality control across decks, insights, and deliverables

Internal Collaboration & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Act as a strategic liaison between Account Management, Strategic Research, Product, and Engineering
• Coordinate intake and scoping processes with internal stakeholders
• Help shape client segmentation, tiering, and service model strategy
• Support development of SOPs, planning frameworks, and reporting templates

Team Coaching & Mentorship

• Manage and coach Account Managers and Research Analysts assigned to your accounts
• Provide regular feedback and growth paths aligned with Tunnl’s talent ladder
• Guide junior team members through client conversations, insight framing, and audience usage strategy
• Contribute to team rituals and peer support culture

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in client-facing roles across public affairs, agency, corporate communications, or SaaS
• Proven ability to manage $3M+ in client revenue across multiple accounts
• Experience leading client reporting, insight delivery, and strategic account growth
• Comfortable interfacing with VPs, C-suite, and senior government or advocacy stakeholders
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated storytelling expertise
• Occasional domestic travel to visit clients or to attend industry conferences (approximately 2-3 days per month)

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in public affairs, issue advocacy, or political campaigns
• Experience with audience targeting, segmentation, or media planning
• Familiarity with survey research, polling, or analytics deliverables
• Comfort working with tools like Dropbox, HubSpot, or project tracking systems
• DC-area preferred (hybrid team environment)

What Success Looks Like

• Clients renew and expand their contracts due to your strategic leadership
• Account Managers and Research Analysts grow under your mentorship
• Insights are delivered clearly, consistently, and drive meaningful action
• Your portfolio is well-balanced and organized, with minimal escalations
• Internal stakeholders see you as a reliable, strategic partner

Why You Should Apply

• Join a team driven by curiosity, teamwork, integrity, and a shared passion for solving big challenges.
• A friendly, welcoming, and supportive culture with regular social and team events.
• Comprehensive benefits with excellent medical, vision, and dental coverage.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.
• Employer-paid life insurance & short-term & long-term disability, with other voluntary additional coverage available (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity).
• Flexible paid vacation plus 80 hours of paid sick leave.
• 10 paid company holidays per year.
• 401(k) plan with 100% match up to 3%, plus 50% match up to 5% (subject to IRS limits).
• Cell phone reimbursement stipend.
• Monthly parking or commuter stipend for VA-based employees.