Creative Account Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

Manage all creative projects through the design process to deliver work of exceptional quality to agreed brand, budget and deadline. Work in team collaboration to maintain and develop client relationships through excellent client service. 

EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE

• Collaborate with Creative/Design Director to develop strong partnership and manage client expectations, project needs and ensure cohesive team engagement
• Engage internal partners in Design, Photo Studio, Production, Finance as needed to establish strong relationships
• Proactively lead POD to ensure the creative vision is achieved from design through production stage; guide PAM and AC throughout process to understand the design intent and maintain design integrity
• Train and mentor AC to understand process and actively contribute to projects and POD; look for professional development opportunities for AC
   

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

• Develop thoughtful and strategic creative briefs which inspire design team to produce effective solutions that exceeds client expectations
• Partner with Creative/Design Director to develop strategy, present design projects effectively and engage clients to sell our creativity and 
under-one-roof service mode
• Work within the parameters of the Equator internal process workflow to achieve consistent, efficient and accurate design through completion
• Manage the photography process to lead team through all details and expectations to ensure client needs and design vision are achieved on set
• Manage all stakeholder expectations with proactive, accurate and professional communication across all touch points 
• Advance plan with traffic manager to proactively and efficiently manage staff schedules for design, photography and retouch resources based on approved client timelines and expectation
• Participate in project post-evaluations to identify best practices, areas of improvement and suggestions for optimization
   

FINANCIAL GROWTH

• Actively pursue organic growth opportunities through exceptional design delivery and client service
• Accurately estimate, forecast and invoice all projects at creative design stage to ensure fair representation of work provided and profitable outcome 
• Provide accurate reporting for current and future project work as requested by AD or Directors
   

CLIENT EXPERIENCE

• Demonstrate strong partnership with the client as engaged, energetic and valuable team member for strategic design and creative project management
• Brand advocate for multiple brands/client contacts through dedicated categories of business; understands category insights and trends to inspire design
• Consults with client to understand needs and offer suggestions through strong project ownership, flexibility and integrity
• Advocate for Equator with client and suppliers – guides them through Equator’s process with ease
• Proactively guide clients through the process and anticipate all project planning and staffing needs
• Accurately capture and communicate project details through internal/external workflow systems
• Engage clients through effective discussion and presentation of design content through collaboration with Creative Director
   

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supports the Company’s profitability efforts by managing efficient, accurate, and timely coordination of the assigned project activities.
• Supports the Account Team in its effort to increase revenue through selling additional products and services across the business portfolio.
• Participates in the development of innovative proposals to capture both account growth and new business opportunities.
• Ensures the meeting of volume and revenue targets for each account.
• Builds new relationships and nurturing existing relationships with internal and external clients.
• Serves as the main day-to-day contact on current projects for clients, suppliers, external partners, and the Account team; provides timely responses to all inquiries.
• Participates in meetings with existing clients and internal teams to identify adequate new services/offerings to meet clients’ evolving needs as required; serves as the Subject Matter Expert on processes, capacity, timelines, etc.
• Ensures high quality standards in all client deliverables.
• Coordinates client-specific projects throughout the lifecycle, including estimate creation, selection of appropriate projects and sub-projects, assignment of resources, monitoring project progress, and generation of the client/project invoice.
• Translates client requests and requirements into detailed, and sometimes technical, instructions for project teams.
• Partners with the client, the Account Team, and project teams to resolve identified project issues.
• Ensures accurate and timely invoices are generated by maintaining correct project details and supporting evidence, including change orders and rework, throughout the project lifecycle.
• Initiates new data item requests utilizing the Master Data Management (MDM) process and guidelines to ensure accurate client, project, and financial details are available in the system.
• Partners with Client Integration and the Account Team to ensure a smooth transition for new clients; attend pre-integration and planning meetings as needed.
• Participates in cross-functional teams to develop and/or adapt processes, policies, and workflows to improve efficiency, accuracy, speed, quality, etc.
• Provides solutions for business-related issues and situations and generate specific plans that achieve objectives.
• Manages and balances marketing budgets to maximize Return on Investment (ROI) and drive incremental sales.
• Provides expertise on customer pricing and promotional planning.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates activities of employee(s) to ensure goals or objectives are accomplished.  Mentors, coaches, trains and develops team.
• Additional duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Sales, Marketing or related field.
• 6+ years previous account management experience in a Creative Design Agency, Market Research firm or similar consulting environment; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Occasional travel either locally, nationally, and/or internationally may be required.
• High degree of proficiency MS Office Suite, Outlook & Internet applications.
• Strong analytical, prioritizing, interpersonal, problem-solving, presentation, budgeting, project management (from conception to completion), & planning skills. 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills (including analysis, interpretation, & reasoning).
• Solid understanding and application of mathematical concepts.
• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with peers and colleagues across the organization, as well as, internal and external clients.
• Ability to work well autonomously and within a team in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment.
• Ability to work with and influence peers and senior management.
• Self-motivated with critical attention to detail, deadlines and reporting.

PHYSICAL ASPECTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Regularly required to stand; walk; sit; and talk, hear and see.  
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. 

* Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.