Account Manager

Position Title: Account Manager

Reports to: Director Client Services

As the client's first and foremost point of contact, the AM is many things to many people. Whether you're saving the day, herding the cats, putting out fires or lending an ear and commiserating, the AM is ultimately the client's go-to who makes sure the client is delighted and has what they need. But you're not just a friendly face – you're a strategic thinker, a confident decision-maker, and a proactive partner who helps clients discover opportunities they didn't even know they had.

The role requires a love of people, exceptional communication, killer organization skills, mental flexibility, the confidence to make judgment calls, and the ability to juggle all the balls (without constantly checking if you're juggling them correctly).

At the end of the day, the AM job can be summed up in these four goals:

• Cultivate, strengthen, and grow loyal client relationships as a trusted strategic partner
• Empower the creative team to do their best work
• Proactively drive the best outcomes for clients, even when they don't know what they need
• Contribute to achievement of agency and department goals

These are lofty goals. We accomplish them in a million tiny ways through a variety of everyday activities and remembering the Waltz mantras in everything we do. Every client and every project is different, but the same fundamental approach leads to the best results no matter the circumstances.

We cultivate loyal client relationships and become a trusted strategic partner when we:

• Build, maintain, and proactively strengthen relationships with key client stakeholders at all levels
• Delight clients with the very best service they can imagine
• Proactively offer creative and strategic input to propose the right solutions for the project – before clients even know they need them
• Deliver excellent work on time and on budget
• Confidently communicate both good and bad news with tact and poise
• Confidently present ideas, lead meetings and conversations, and, when necessary, handle challenging discussions about budgets, timelines or expectations
• Underpromise and overdeliver
• Keep a smile on our face and treat clients the way we would hope to be treated if we were in their shoes
• Schedule regular check-ins to understand client goals, challenges, and opportunities

We achieve the best outcome for the client when we:

• Take the time to learn and understand the client's business, industry and objectives
• Collaborate, communicate and work as a team
• Keep clients updated on project status and make sure they are happy with how the work is progressing
• Act as a liaison between the client and the creative team to ensure the client's needs are being met on every project
• Shepherd each project through the creative department and ensure they are on brand and on brief from concept to delivery
• Never stop improving by keeping an open mind, learning new things and staying in touch with traditional and non-traditional marketing trends by taking advantage of professional development opportunities offered
• Remember that we succeed when our clients succeed
• Work with clients to understand their marketing plan and yearly goals, or help them craft a comprehensive annual marketing plan with clear SMART goals if they don’t have one
• Think beyond hourly rates to understand the true value our work brings to clients

We empower the creative team to do their best work when we:

• Give projects direction and maintain a clear strategy
• Provide strategic input to develop, coordinate and/or write a detailed creative brief for each project
• Project manage campaigns across the full marketing mix, ensuring they are on point from concept to delivery
• Lead kick-off meetings with the client and/or design team at the onset of each project
• Stay organized, make sure the team has everything they need to do the work and get answers or missing items quickly
• Remember we are all on the same team and working towards the same goals
• Make confident decisions based on our experience and judgment, without constantly seeking approval

We contribute to the achievement of agency and department goals when we:

• As part of the team, prepare for and participate in new business presentations and pitch fresh and innovative solutions to clients/prospects
• Meet with potential clients and explain the merits of Waltz Creative
• Actively identify and pursue opportunities to grow existing client accounts
• Consistently look for new business opportunities with existing clients as well as recognize new leads/opportunities and refer them to the appropriate team members
• Take care of our own business by meeting deadlines and staying on top of key responsibilities such as:
• Track and submit a weekly log of billable time
• Monitor budgets, changes of scope and general client/project information using agency project management system (Function Point)
• Complete projects in a timely manner and review financials before invoicing
• Understand the financial impact of pricing decisions on agency profitability
• Periodically assess and report on the health of client relationships and growth opportunities
• Embody the Waltz mantras and put forth our best effort every day

The Skills:

In addition to the “soft” people skills, Account Managers must be organized and possess a wide range of abilities and experience, including:

• Significant experience in professional client relationship management
• Demonstrated confidence to work as an authoritative figure in a busy team
• Ability to make independent decisions and stand behind them
• Proactive mindset with a track record of identifying opportunities before being asked
• Solid background in advertising, design or marketing
• Experience in print, web, advertising, digital and social campaigns
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to have difficult conversations when necessary
• Effective team management capabilities
• Ability to build a budget and work in spreadsheets
• Ability to recognize value beyond hourly rates
• Ability to keep track of the nuances of many projects and clients, shifting priorities, etc.
• Problem-solving skills with the initiative to try solutions before escalating issues
• Strategic thinking that balances client needs with agency goals

The Tools:

The Account Manager will use a variety of typical programs used by marketing and branding agencies. Not familiar with all of them? No sweat, we'll teach you. These tools may include the following:

• Microsoft Office
• Google Suite
• Adobe Acrobat
• Project Management/Collaboration tools
• Database Management programs
• Customer Relationship Management
• SEO Tools
• Survey Products
• Inbound and Outbound Marketing Platforms
• Billing Programs
• Marketing/Webinar Tools
• Research Services

The Benefits:

• Vacation plus paid sick time
• Paid holidays
• Hybrid work model
• 100% medical, dental, vision premiums for employee
• Simple IRA matching program

The Details (aka the boring but necessary stuff):

Education and Training:

A bachelor's degree and a minimum of five years experience in the field, as a marketing professional, project manager, account manager, or account executive. Agency experience preferred.

Common Misconceptions:

Account Managers are often confused as members of the creative team. However, AMs do not design the materials. Their job is to manage the client relationship and act as the key contact between the client and the agency.

Physical Demands:

This position spends up to 50% of time standing, walking, talking, listening, and reaching with hands or arms, and may be required to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.

This position spends most of the time using the mouse and focusing on the computer screen.

This position has the following vision requirements:

• Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less)
• Color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors)
• Depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships)
• Ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus)
• View computer monitor for extended periods (up to 8 hours)

Noise levels:

Moderate noise (Examples: business office with computers, printers, telephones, light foot traffic)

Employment Status:

This position qualifies as full-time, exempt.

Office Location:

San Juan Bautista, Ca

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Hybrid remote in San Juan Bautista, CA 95045

Salary : $70,000 - $80,000