account
manager

location

MKE

role description

Manifesto is seeking a driven, passionate self-starter who thrives on understanding and navigating complex client matrices and building trusted relationships that help drive the growth of the agency by (over) delivering against client goals and objectives. The candidate will be a natural problem solver and will have stellar written and verbal presentation/communication skills.

The Account Manager reports to the Managing Director, and will oversee multiple existing client accounts and is responsible for the day to day management of our client partners. This role will serve as the guide to our clients as well as the conduit of communication and project management between the agency and the account. They will be responsible for supporting year over year growth and will manage budgets, timelines and execution of strategy and creative deliverables for each assigned client project.

They will also help support new business efforts when needed for RFPs, partner proposals and pitches.

primary responsibilities

client services

Manages client growth strategy and daily/weekly communication around deliverables.

Manages projects including assisting Strategy and Creative/Production teams with estimating, developing and writing clear scopes of work and proposal as well as creating workback schedules, writing meeting recaps, and setting clear expectations with client partners.

Keeps agency Account Director informed on key account growth, challenges, roadblocks, etc.

Actively manages new opportunities within key accounts by applying thoughtful, strategic planning in an effort to organically grow clients and gain referrals.

Able to meticulously build, maintain, and manage agreed upon scope, budget, timelines, due dates, milestones - willing to have the hard conversations when needed to ensure the delivery of the right, quality work.

Actively provides project management over Creative and Strategy to develop high quality work that meets client objectives, achieves intended results, and meets or exceeds agency’s standards of excellence.

Develops trusted relationships with day to day clients while proactively networking to establish broader relationships across other teams, departments, divisions within the client organization.

research & planning

Either demonstrates a strong knowledge of the client’s products, competitors, and industry or is willing to go as deep as possible with all aspects of the client and the client’s industry/category

Deep understanding of emerging trends and technologies (tech, finance, consumer products, QSR and non-profits)

Keen understanding of integrated marketing including brand design, digital, integrated campaigns, branded content, employee engagement and experiential

Manage growth plans by client, by project - able to pivot, keep plans adjusted with inevitable shifting landscapes

Ability to write effective, detailed project opportunity briefs by distilling core business challenges, objectives, and/or insights to inform the Partnership, Strategy & Creative teams
In certain cases, willing to contribute to RFP responses for select new business opportunities

administrative & management

Works closely with the new business, strategy and creative teams to manage time allocation, scope and budgets to ensure profitable client projects

Manages weekly/monthly billing reconciliation

Provides weekly updates on billing and team utilization

Coordination of internal and client-facing conference calls and meetings with key stakeholders

Development and creation of SOWs and proposals for existing client partners

key characteristics

A passionate leader who is focused on delivering outstanding work and staying ahead of cultural and social trends that could impact the business and grow opportunities for both the agency and our clients

Resourcefully manage the work with the utmost detail across multiple agency teams, geos and offices

Positive attitude/approach that is magnetic and inherently motivates and excites the team around them to drive new opportunities and growth

Strategically minded that has excellent presentation skills; capable of distilling complex challenges into actionable information

Displays focused brevity and ensures that the team stays on-point and focused during internal and external meetings and client reviews

Proactive entrepreneurial spirit - skates to the puck and sees opportunity where others do not; constantly looking for opportunities to grow agency, deepen relationships and service accounts in effective ways

Willing to roll up their sleeves and chip in no matter what the task or challenge. Possesses that do what it takes attitude - help a team member to solve a challenge, take out the garbage, wash dishes, play darts, hang out and tell stories either at the office or on a virtual call.