account director
location
Milwaukee, WI or Nashville, TN preferred
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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 Director will oversee multiple existing client accounts and is responsible for the growth, management and leadership of the client account. This role will serve as the guide to our clients as well as the conduit of communication between the agency and the account. They will be responsible for leading and generating organic account year over year growth, development of client strategy and managing the budgets, timelines and strategic planning for each assigned account/project.
They will focus primarily on servicing and growing existing client accounts but will also support new business efforts including RFPs, pitches, and proposals.
primary responsibilities
client services
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Responsible for overall annual client growth strategy and daily/weekly communication
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Manages projects including assisting Strategy and Creative/Production teams with estimating, developing and writing scope of work and client proposals
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Keeps agency leadership/Managing Director informed on key account growth, challenges, roadblocks, etc.
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Along with Director of Strategic Partnerships, manages organic growth within key accounts by applying thoughtful, strategic planning in an effort to organically grow clients, year over year
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Able to meticulously build, maintain, and manage agreed upon scope, budget, timelines, due dates, milestones - willing to have the hard conversations to ensure the delivery of the right, quality work
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Actively works with Creative and Strategy to develop high quality work that meets client objectives, achieves intended results, and meets or exceeds agency’s standards of excellence
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Develops trusted relationships with day to day clients while proactively networking to establish broader relationships across other teams, departments, divisions within the client organization
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research & planning
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Demonstrates a strong knowledge of the client’s products, competitors, and industry and is willing to go as deep as possible with all aspects of the client and the client’s industry/category
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Deep understanding of emerging trends and technologies (tech, finance, consumer products, QSR and non-profits)
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Keen understanding of integrated marketing including brand design, digital, integrated campaigns, branded content, employee engagement and experiential
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Develop annual strategically rooted growth plans by client, by project - able to pivot, keep plans adjusted with inevitable shifting landscapes
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In certain cases, willing to lead, organize, and manage RFP responses for select new business opportunities
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Ability to write effective, detailed new business or new opportunity briefs by distilling core business challenges, objectives, and/or insights to inform the Strategy & Creative teams
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administrative & management
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Works closely with the strategy and creative teams to manage time allocation, scope and budgets to ensure profitable client projects via project management tool(s)
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Manages weekly/monthly billing reconciliation
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Provides weekly forecasting updates
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Coordination of internal and client-facing conference calls and meetings
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Development and creation of SOWs and proposals for existing/new accounts, projects
key characteristics
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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
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Resourcefully manage the work with the utmost detail across multiple agency teams, geos and offices
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Positive attitude/approach that is magnetic and inherently motivates and excites the team around them to drive new opportunities and growth
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Strategically minded that has excellent presentation skills; capable of distilling complex challenges into actionable information
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Displays focused brevity and ensures that the team stays on-point and focused during internal and external meetings and client reviews
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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
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Willing to roll up their sleeves and chip in no matter what the task or challenge. Possess 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.
qualifications & background
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6+ years of account management with national or regional accounts focused on branding or integrated campaigns
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Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Management, Advertising, Communications or similar field
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Proven track record of successful account management, growth and leadership
compensation & benefits
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Salary + annual profit sharing bonus potential
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Health insurance
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401K
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Generous PTO and vacation policies, half-day summer Fridays (June-August)
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Paid holidays + additional week off between Christmas and New Years
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Values-driven, laid-back culture focused on work-life balance, personal freedom and accountability
how to apply
For consideration, please send your résumé and cover letter to:
careers@manifestoagency.com
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