Overview of role

• Point of contact on strategic, creative and resource issues for clients
• Work with senior management on integrated marketing strategy
• Represents and merchandises the Client’s business within the Agency
• Ensures the Agency allocates sufficient and appropriate resources to complete tasks effectively
• Oversees and provides support to account managers so that all projects are completed to the highest standards, on brief, on budget and on time

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Client Management:

• Responsible for the smooth running of accounts -operationally, creatively, financially – and is answerable on these points to client and to the General Manager Operations.
• The client’s first point of contact on all main strategic, creative and resource issues. Responsible for setting the strategic direction in conjunction with the key team members (planning, data, creative).
• Builds strong and enduring relationships with clients, professionally and socially
• Has a deep understanding of the clients’ business and of the key broader factors and trends shaping their markets and categories
• Continually enhances knowledge of the client’s brand, products and marketplace
• Involves the Client Team Leader appropriately on all relevant issues; client satisfaction, status of business, financial forecasting and achievement of financial objectives, brand health, creative projects, timings etc.
• Ensures Client understands the creative development and production process, negotiating sufficient time and budget for the Agency to deliver its best work

Talent Management & internal Relationships:

• Has positive and constructive relationship with other departments to foster teamwork in the Agency
• Demonstrating professionalism in dealing with members of their team, coaching and motivating them to deliver their best
• Responsible for team members’ career development, including regular completion of performance appraisals, where appropriate
• Is honest, respectful and professional in dealing with members of their team, coaching and motivating them to deliver their best, taking responsibility for their career development including the regular completion of performance appraisals where appropriate

Commercial Management:

• Contributes to good financial management of the business, improving profitability and maximising revenue, wherever possible
• Monitors all billing procedures carried out, alerting management to any likely changes in billing or income and any potential write-offs
• Is responsible for maximising the account’s billings and/or income and for seeking out additional income opportunities

Project Management:

• Responsible for setting the creative context on the business: knowing what type of communication the brand needs, understanding what the client needs
• Is an excellent judge of creative work and assumes responsibility for the quality of creative ideas that are presented to the Client
• Gives serious consideration to the best way to sell creative work through the Client – and then does so with total conviction
• Takes overall responsibility for client approvals, ensuring that the client is managed effectively through the process
• Actively seeks to inspire the team from the outset through innovative briefing techniques, providing an overall vision and direction for the projects, ensuring they are set in the correct business context

Minimum Requirements:

• 7 years of relevant experience in account handling, working in an agency at a senior account management level.
• At least 5 years developing and managing teams and possesses great people management skills
• Must have managed to run and execute integrated communication strategies, covering: Brand PR, Digital, Creative, stakeholder engagement etc.
• Strong strategic thinking, possessing energy and creativity. Identifying alternatives, options and new and different ways of looking at issues and problems
• Strong project management skills with a strong strategic ability for scoping and planning projects
• Clear evidence of business development skills and demonstrated track record in bringing in new accounts
• Excellent oral, written communication and presentation skills. Experience in preparing and delivering presentations / proposals of a strategic nature