Director of Account Services
The Position
The Director of Account Services is responsible for the stability and profitability of the company's client base. The candidate should be a savvy manager with extensive knowledge of integrated media with a proven track record of effective integrated marketing campaigns and initiatives that help achieve client goals, including driving revenue. In addition to monitoring and mentoring Account Directors and Account Executives, they will be called upon to assist with defining business goals and user needs for clients, implement new marketing campaign ideas and program planning, and systems to support the growth of client accounts. Owns the client relationship on assigned brands. Owns the brand strategy and effectively influences the client to achieve brand objectives. Responsible for staffing, managing and leading the assigned account teams.
The Role
This role is responsible for the day to day running of accounts in all aspects including client level P&L profitability while proactively managing and developing team members. The Account Director is expected to be a strategic client contact and advisor, with visible ongoing engagement with key clients. While retention and growth of accounts is a key responsibility, the expectation is that the Account Director will also generate new business within current clients and new clients and will lead new business pitches.
Work that meets and exceeds client’s expectations.
An environment where great creative can happen.
A consistently superior creative product.
The Requirements / What we would like you to have:
MBA preferred, or Masters in Business or Marketing, commensurate experience in building agency client strategic portfolios.
Interest in and aptitude for creative business and marketing solutions
Minimum of ten years experience brand/marketing/communications strategy experience in integrated, brand and digital communications.
Demonstrated ability working on a wide range of accounts and categories
Ability to identify strategic needs, lead all aspects of planning with sound business recommendations, and generate alignment with key business partners
Client-facing experience.
Experience working with clients to develop and negotiate contracts, project scopes and budgets
Seasoned at client pitches with a proven track record for success
Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills
Strong interactive agency, digital/marketing consultancy experience
Understanding of a wide variety of internal and client-side metrics
Proven ability for strategic thinking and proactive problem solving
Strong leadership and team building skills
What you do:
Manage the Account Services team to provide the highest level of client care
Establish specific sales goals for each client account and manage the team to achieve them
Establish specific performance goals and associated KPIs for each client account and manage the teams to achieve them
Ensure that all major Accounts of $100,000 per year or more in Revenue have an on-site Quarterly Business Review as a formal business process to A) Provide a written Progress Report to the Account, B) Keep the client engaged and on track to renew, C) Uncover any issues with the Account, and D) to meet with all key decision-makers to strategize, ideate, educate and propose major marketing initiatives in order to cross-sell and upsell agency services.
Partner with the team to strategize and execute large-scale client marketing programs
Work collaboratively with Strategy, Media, Creative and Technology to develop and implement integrated marketing solutions
Partner with the sales team during new business pitches
Work with Strategy to streamline reporting with a focus to provide actionable insights
Work closely with the Director of Project Management to problem solve staffing challenges as well as to inspire regular communication flow between AS and PM teams
Hire, train and supervise Account Directors and Account Executives to ensure proper goals, training, professional development, and project requirements are met
Review performance of Account Directors and Account Executives and suggest needed improvements and corrective actions
Implement policies and procedures to ensure the Account Services team is meeting and exceeding goals
Motivate, recognize and reward outstanding performance both on an individual and team basis
Keep current on emerging technology changes and innovations through formal and informal study, business and professional publication consumption, networking, and participation in professional organizations; ensure Account Services team is educated on this information
Participate as part of the management team to problem solve company challenges and to work toward the achievement of company growth goals
Provide regular account updates to executive management
Provides clear direction to agency team. Evaluates creative product against strategic direction, and provides constructive feedback.
Approaches brand from holistic marketing perspective, looks at all media and forms of digital marketing, communications and advertising to develop outcomes that meet client objectives.
Proactively coordinates and integrates across all agency departments, as needed