Account Manager

Job description

The Account Manager is responsible for managing and nurturing client relationships, ensuring the successful execution of integrated through-the-line (TTL) campaigns, and driving growth within your client portfolio. Working closely with your BUD and relevant creative, strategy, media, and production teams, the account manager ensures seamless project management and outstanding client service.

An unrivalled level of organisation is expected so that all campaigns run efficiently, with other team members relying on project organisation in order to meet deadlines and understand client expectations.

The account manager should be interested in the client in order to develop strong, meaningful relationships. Timely communication is imperative in order to complete projects on time and on budget.

The account manager will receive a plan for a campaign from the BUD or relevant account director and be expected to drive and monitor it every step of the way, whilst creating an enjoyable work environment and keeping momentum going.

The job of an account manager is to quickly grasp your relevant client's goals and make use of the resources of their agency to manage and drive the most effective campaign.

Key responsibilities:

1. Client relationship management

• Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for relevant client contacts and internal team experts, ensuring clear and effective communication.
• Build and maintain strong, long-term client relationships based on trust and strategic guidance.
• Understand the client’s business objectives, marketing strategies, and competitive landscape.
• Identify opportunities to expand the agency’s scope of work with the client.

2. Campaign and project management

• Lead the execution of TTL campaigns, including ATL (TV, radio, print, OOH), BTL (activations, promotions, direct marketing), and digital (social media, programmatic, influencer marketing).
• Ability to research new concepts and prepare presentations, project justification and business cases.
• Develop detailed project plans, timelines, and budgets, ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery
• Collaborate with internal teams (creative, strategy, production, media) to ensure alignment with client objectives.
• Monitor campaign performance, track key deliverables, and optimize projects as needed.
• Work with your internal team to project manager and oversee the production process for TV, radio, print, digital, and experiential marketing campaigns.

3. Strategic and creative collaboration

• Work with the relevant BUD and strategy and creative team to translate client briefs into compelling campaign strategies.
• Provide constructive feedback on creative work, ensuring alignment with client expectations.
• Stay updated on industry trends and competitors to provide strategic recommendations.
• Assist in the development of creative presentations and pitch materials.

4. Financial and administrative management

• Manage budgets and ensure cost control across campaigns.
• Where applicable handle financial documentation, including cost estimates, purchase orders, invoicing, and reconciliations.
• Ensure profitability on accounts and seek opportunities for efficiency.
• Provide weekly status reports and post-campaign evaluations.

5. Stakeholder and supplier management

• Coordinate with the internal team in managing third-party suppliers, media houses, production companies, and influencers where applicable.
• Build strong relationships with external partners to ensure high-quality deliverables.
• Negotiate costs and timelines with your internal team to ensure value for the client.

Key skills and competencies

• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• A strategic mindset with strong analytical abilities.
• Leadership and team collaboration skills.
• Negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• A keen eye for detail and quality control.

Qualifications and experience:

• Relevant qualification or work experience within a similar role. (Possible formal qualification like a bachelor’s degree in marketing,             communications, business, or a related field).
• 3–5 years of account management experience in a marketing or advertising agency.
• Proven experience working on TTL campaigns, including digital and traditional media.
• Strong understanding of South African consumer behaviour and media landscape.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools (CHASE, Page Proof, Slack).
• Have experience in managing campaign budgets and reporting on progress of campaigns and how budget is tracking.

Posted on 03 Aug 15:07, Closing date 31 Aug