The Account Director contributes to the efficient and profitable running of the account. Looking beyond the day-to-day needs whilst being completely hands-on, motivating the team and demonstrating a key understanding of the clients’ business and growth opportunities. Accountable for the successful development and implementation of account strategies and activities.
Client Responsibilities
Build positive and productive client relationships by demonstrating an understanding and sound knowledge of your clients’ business and industries in which they operate.
Manage integrated multi-level projects simultaneously, forward planning, prioritising workflow and demonstrating problem solving at all levels.
Work with and draw on the expertise of the full spectrum of the agency’s resources to develop integrated offerings to clients where necessary.
Assist in delivering the highest quality of work and highest standard of creativity at all times.
Produce top quality written work for clients on time including proposals, presentations and reports.
Deliver presentations to clients as and when required.
Test strategic direction with creative teams in order to evaluate against strategy and adaptation across various channels of communication.
Effective communication of client needs and deliverables.
Budget management and monthly hours reconciliation.
People Responsibilities
Work with Group Account Director to set annual review KPIs and take responsibility for your development as an advertising professional.
Actively manage own performance and career.
Manage junior team members, focussing on motivation, hands-on training and appraisals.
Actively manage and supervise the team on a day-to-day basis to ensure service levels and client deliverables are consistently met.
Ensure effective communication internally to full team.
Co-ordinate and ensure successful orientiation of new employees into the team.
Ensure that work is executed in accordance with the agency process.
Finance Responsibilities
Assess project costs against client budgets, managing client and agency budgets on an ongoing basis.
Ensure invoicing and financial administration adheres to best practice.
Identify opportunities for expanding the financial potential of the clients’ business.
Work with Creative Agency team on new and potential clients where appropriate.
Operations Responsibilities
Ensure meeting action reports, status reports, monthly reports, quarterly and annual reviews, and other client admin is completed when required.
Manage all projects to ensure delivery on time and on budget.
Skills and attribute / Key competencies:
Proficient in MS Office suite (incl. Mail, Word, Powerpoint and Excel) essential
Diverse and excellent writing skills
Enthusiastic / confident / professional / diplomatic
Exceptional interpersonal skills
Good team working and management skills
Presentation skills
Ability to cope with pressure, work to tight deadlines and handle diverse activities
Reliable, organized and attention to detail
Passion for client delivery and service
Organisation and administration skills essential
Accountable with good follow-through
Business and commercial acumen
Qualifications:
Matric essential
Relevant tertiary qualification (marketing and communications) essential
Driver’s license and own reliable transport essential
Experience:
5+ years client service and agency experience
3+ years people management experience essential