Account Manager

As an Account Manager, you will be responsible for the management of a client account and primary project owner on the account. This could range from a single large account to multiple medium-sized accounts.

An account comprises multiple projects, and this account is also a Key Client (KC) of Superunion Africa. Depending on the account, you will be reporting directly to the Client Service Director and/or Business Unit Director.

Key responsibilities & accountabilities

1. Secondary owner of the client relationship at the account level – Marketing Manager (MM) and Brand Manager level.
2. Effectively handle most aspects of client communications at a MM and BM level.
3. Building, strengthening, and growing the relationship between the agency and client (middle management).
4. Managing the project team (account support, strategy, and creative) and workflow.
5. Meeting overall profit margins, targets, and farming targets assigned to the account.
6. Oversight, reporting, and quality control of each project for this account.
7. Develop and implement approach and process (in support of the overall company process).
8. Identify, interview, and recruit candidates for the group account.
9. Support direct line manager in recruitment activities (identify and initial interviews only).
10. Implement internal processes to improve efficiency on each project.
11. Weekly forecast on finances, people, and farming potential within each active project.
12. Actively implement agency standards, directives, and processes in day-to-day activities.
13. Drive the development of case studies and PR material for each big project, enhancing agency equity and credentials for the agency within each project.
14. Learning and applying theories/methodology within your day-to-day activities.
15. Reading, following, and researching relevant content to grow your own knowledge on each project.
16. Support the Client Service Director and/or Business Unit Director in developing and implementing processes and systems.
17. Ability to scope and negotiate fees on the account with the support of the Client Service Director and/or Business Unit Director.
18. Development of KC plans and quarterly forecast support.

Role specific professional and technical skills

1. Very good writing and delivery skills relating to internal and external communication.
2. Solid presentation skills at a MM and BM level.
3. Ability to manage a large client with multiple projects.
4. Excellent time management and organizational skills.
5. Excellent interpersonal skills.
6. Good business writing capability.
7. Excellent understanding of strategic and creative brand content.
8. Solid understanding of global and local business operations and reporting pertaining to the agency.
9. Good understanding of local reporting, directives, and approaches within our business.
10. Excellent understanding and experience in design, strategy, and production processes.
11. Fully conversant with Microsoft (PowerPoint, Word, Excel) and TrafficLive.

Job Behaviours

1. Leading from the front: Champion positive change by creating a sense of direction and purpose at a project level. Encourage a sense of mutual responsibility and high performance.
2. Team player: Passion for meeting objectives together.
3. Accuracy: Attention to detail and a passion for reporting.
4. Showing interest: Express interest in your project team, ensuring that you understand personal diversity, strengths, and weaknesses.
5. Being agile: Adapt your approach to projects to ensure we deliver within client expectations.
6. Continually learning: Keep learning and developing new skills and trends by participating in professional seminars and reading relevant research.
7. Effective communication: Persuade and influence others using logic and reason. Negotiate solutions for broad and complex issues.
8. Client-centric views: Ensure that all decisions and executions are based on building a lasting partnership with the client and improving customer service.
9. Collaborating: Develop relationships with key stakeholders (Client Service Director and Exco) to achieve common goals for the agency.
10. Being resilient: Prevail in all circumstances and make important decisions with confidence.