Account Director

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of new business and client service plans
• Give direction of clients’ marketing and advertising campaigns / accounts
• Regular communication and liaison with clients at a senior level
• Identifies new business opportunities (Credentials Meetings, RFPs, Tenders, Pitch Opportunities), managing pipeline and develops existing accounts
• Pitches fresh and innovative ideas to clients
• Completes projects to a specific schedule and maximises profit, in-line with the budget
• Owns and leads client presentations; both in discovery meetings, as well as the presentation of finished proposals
• Uses knowledge and experience to push clients, the team and the agency in the most profitable and productive direction
• Forge emotional bonds, creates client loyalty and attracts new business via positive word-of-mouth for referral business
• Align agencies’ people, processes with client needs
• Provides professional, planned and responsive account dire. This will entail developing a focused annual client development plan
• Deliver the agreed actions and taking ownership for the client revenue targets agreed for each client.
• Deliver fantastic, award-winning and agency revenue generating projects for clients
• Supervisory duties: Manages and coordinates activities of the full client services team.
• Departmental duties: Submit weekly activity reports to General Manager. Be present and lead  t all weekly meetings of the department. Present quarterly reports upon request
• Authority Limit: Writes and signs off proposals (after approval from General Manager)

 Competencies:

Qualification

•  A good first degree + CIM certification and experience, a masters degree in marketing would  be an added advantage and/or MBA plus
• 5years agency experience in marketing and/or agency role,
• 5+ proven track record in client service management role.
• Proven ability to develop larger client relationships and accounts across multiple sectors and a proven track record in managing people as well as a proven ability to represent a corporate.

Technical Competencies –

• Significant agency experience in professional client relationship management
• A solid background in advertising, design or marketing
• The ability to plan and strategise at a senior level
• Ability to develop marketing plans and programs
• Full awareness of creative processes and techniques – including digital platforms

Managerial Competencies

• Effective team management capabilities
• A keen attention to detail and budgetary restraints
• Ability to plan department activities
• The willingness to note relevant trends and develop ideas
• Ability to determine and set clear performance standards

Personality Competencies –

• Excellent communication, interpersonal and skills
• Assertive, hungry, self-motivated
• Good presentation and a pleasant manner
• Confidentiality, tact and discretion when dealing with people
• A persuasive and confident approach to creative projects

Internal Relations: Account Direction involves working with, and gaining the cooperation of teamsin specialist areas including strategy, graphic design, HR, finance, and production.

Work Environment: This is also a New Business Director and agency growth role. You will be measured on new business and how profitably you manage your accounts. It will require you to spend at least 50% of your time developing new business and 50% in meetings and briefings, as well as developing your existing clients. It can be demanding, so real motivation is required to thrive. Working hours will be standard office times; however deadlines may stretch this further.

Salary: Attractive