Description

This is an exciting role with good career advancement opportunities in an established practice. The incumbent will be managing a team and imparting knowledge to junior colleagues. Critical elements of the role include day-to-day client management, strategic planning and advice to clients, and working with the team on project implementation, content development and delivering results.

THE ROLE

Account Management

• Upsell/sell value-add programmes/services to current clients
• Draw out the best thinking of clients and ensure pragmatic, well-executed outcomes
• Set direction of activities in accounts, including client needs, staffing, strategy and budgeting
• Delegate client assignments, lead others and work with other practices and offices
• Truly models Best Teams practices by drawing on a vast network of OpCo colleagues to develop and serve clients with the deepest possible expertise
• Know the tools, proprietary insights and methodologies available within the organisation to best serve clients
• Reconstitute knowledge into marketable, reusable assets to develop new offerings by anticipating needs or meeting demands of current clients
• Generate high value by moving the client organization to undertake and enact major change
• Position the firm and other colleagues with clients in ways that build a true institutional partnership
• Build and maintain client relationships
• Knowledgeable of multiple industries and business trends
• Assist directors in executing client satisfaction programmes
• Manage and review key client deliverables (i.e. messaging, branding, executive coaching, communications/marketing plans, strategy documents)
• Identify “next level” thinking/ideas for clients by tracking industry trends and activities
• Assume creative and strategic direction and oversight on all account assignments
• Contact client regularly to ensure the client is satisfied with account activity

Business Development

• Identify business opportunities on current accounts and within the network
• Orchestrate the creation and development of all new business proposals
• Keep finance team informed of new projects, particularly inter-company activities, to ensure the appropriate paperwork is completed
• Lead teams through Request for Proposal (RFP) process
• Engage in discussions with key potential client executives to gain access into their firm or industry
• Convert opportunities by building strategic relationships with existing or potential clients
• Contribute to the development of new products/services
• Lead new business pitches and presentations 

People Management

• Manage multiple account teams effectively, including leading a team of executives and managers
• Help direct or is integrally involved in a core service, asset group or practice niche
• Approve/review staffing assignments of all direct reports
• Manage and track individual team members’ utilization numbers throughout the month to ensure goals are being met
• Provide timely constructive feedback to direct reports proactively including motivating and retaining high performers while guiding underperformer to success
• Mentor/coach team members to ensure a successful career journey with the organisation 

Financial Management

• Manage average client annual billings
• Align client expectations with budgets
• Accurately project revenues on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis for team’s clients
• Deliver revenue and account profitability at least as much as projected for each client on a monthly basis
• Partner with Finance team in ensuring little write offs and timely payment of account receivables
• Ensure that all account financial matters are handled in a timely and accurate manner
• Ensure that monthly and/or weekly budget status reports are completed as part of budget-tracking process
• Review and approve direct reports’ timesheets within 24 hours of the week/month closing 

THE PERSON 

• University degree or college diploma in communications or related field
• 7- 8 years of agency experience or equivalent
• Specialized industry knowledge plus specialized skills in one or more key practice areas
• Proven experience managing a team from a financial, client delivery and staffing perspective
• Proven ability to:
  • write new business proposals
  • manage, retain and grow multiple accounts
  • create and manage multiple budgets
  • expand client business
  • develop strategic communication programmes
• Solid presentation skills, including ability to communicate and sell ideas to prospects
• Demonstrable evidence in leadership skills and sales ability
• Possess an established network of senior industry and media contacts 

THE REWARD 

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Be part of a change oriented, first class integrated communications team
• An inspiring, passionate, driven, fun, and creative culture
• Strong leadership with a focus on entrepreneurial thinking, developing and mentoring to help you grow, expand your skills and become your professional best