Account Director bei Trade School Works

OVERVIEW
At Trade School, we believe content is a powerful tool to solve modern business problems through innovation and modern connections. We are an integrated content agency, creating smarter conversations between brands and people with beautifully crafted content.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Account Director (AD) is responsible for successfully owning and leading client/agency relationships and processes, driving the team for efficient, strategic work while protecting agency profitability. The AD must be intimately aware of the client’s business goals, and deploy Trade School resources to ensure both client and agency objectives are met efficiently and effectively. The AD is responsible for leading the growth and development of all direct reports and serves as conduit to the division’s senior leadership. The AD also serves as a Trade School steward externally to promote the division’s brand and growth opportunities.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Cross-functional Team Leadership

• Establish trusted working relationships with senior leadership and account leads in each group, and align team on strategic goals
• Effectively communicate client needs and expectations on a regular basis - both verbally and written - to cross- functional team members
• Balance client business objectives with agency objectives, and motivate agency team to focus on the most appropriate course of action
• Anticipate potential roadblocks for agency team, and proactively seek solutions and workarounds to ensure team stays on task
• Contribute to and champion Trade School initiatives
• Personify Trade School culture and set the standard for collaborative relationships

Team Management

• Responsible for growth and success of Partnership team members
• Serve as a role model and contribute to the development of cross discipline team members
• Coach Supervisors on development and management of each individual team member’s workflow to ensure day-to-day tasks are met, while identifying new opportunities for individuals growth
• Demonstrate and teach junior team members on core account management technical skills including solutions-oriented mindset, strategic thinking, creative evaluation, written and verbal communication style, and conflict resolution
• Perform formal annual performance reviews for all direct reports, and provide ongoing performance feedback to keep team motivated and on track for career growth
• Coach Supervisors on conducting performance reviews and ongoing feedback for all direct reports
• Take an ownership role in identifying and resolving issues within the agency team or process

Client Relationship Management

• Build trusted partnership with clients through intimate knowledge of their business and consistent execution of their marketing objectives
• Champion the agency’s work and collaborate with team to gain approval of strategic, creative, media, etc recommendations
• Actively manage client expectations and status of agency / client relationship through regular client check-ins. Keep senior leadership informed of the state of the business and relationships.
• Anticipate needs of clients based on market trends, competitive activity, business performance, etc. and provide strategic recommendations accordingly

Operations: Campaign / Project Workflow Management

• Responsible for ensuring team moves all projects from start to finish according to the brief, on schedule and on budget
• Review each assignment and work with operations to deploy agency resources accordingly ensuring project objectives, expectations and roles are clearly communicated
• Maintain constant communication with cross-functional teams to ensure projects are on track, and provide guidance and solutions based on anticipation of client feedback
• Responsible for having clear understanding of agency legal, IP, and business affairs processes, and ensure the team is adhering to protocol at all times
• Be able to consistently evaluate creative based on strategy / Client needs, and teach others on the team to do so effectively

Financial Management

• Partner with the Program Director to develop and finalize the annual scope of work and agency fee each year. Provide client regular updates on how agency is tracking towards scope and agency hours
• Manage and sign-off on all non-billable, out of scope, and agency expense items
• Oversee Supervisor’s management of project budgets, estimates, invoices, expense reports, etc
• Train Account Supervisor on budget management, financial management, and agency profitability

Business Development

• Leverage relationships with clients and intimate familiarity with client business to identify opportunities for incremental projects and assignments with agency’s goals in mind
• Merchandise Trade School work to clients

QUALIFICATIONS

• 10+ years of experience & 5+ years of management experience
• Proven ability to lead complex integrated projects and campaigns
• Expansive client history with experience across multiple categories
• Mastery of creative and production elements in digital media channels, ability to impart knowledge to rest of team
• Deep knowledge and experience with digital media planning and buying principles
• Keen understanding of social / digital space & interest in media / culture
• Experience leading cross functional agency teams (IATs)
• Strong relationship building skills - ability to build and maintain trust both internally and externally
• Demonstrated success in cross-functional team leadership including strong experience partnering across creative and strategic disciplines to ensure work product exceeds expectations
• Superior communication and presentation skills - both written and verbal
• Demonstrated resilience and solutions-oriented approach - ability to make quick, informed decisions
• Team player with solid ability to lead
• Mac experience, Keynote, MS Office, active social presence, familiar with reporting tools including Google Analytics
• Comfortable working cross-office
• Experience working with and managing up to Senior Leadership and Senior-level clients

CANDIDATE PROFILE

• Confident, natural leader who is most comfortable when they take the reigns
• Comfortable working in an evolving environment - constantly iterating and problem solving through new solutions
• Equally comfortable collaborating with a group or taking on a task solo
• Has strong self-awareness and is able to adapt to build successful relationships both internally and externally
• Resilient - not easily discouraged and is comfortable challenging and being challenged by others
• Positive, optimistic attitude at all times
• Ability to remain calm and solutions-oriented in all situations
• Willingness to travel
• Demonstrates entrepreneurial abilities, client focus, intellectual curiosity, industry savvy, and the ability to work independently or as part of a collaborative team
• Ability to craft and tell visual stories

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Travel - some driving, air, and walking will be required
• Sitting, standing
• Talking, listening, reading / interpreting skills
• Keyboarding
• Color vision
• Regular and reliable attendance
• English and grammar usage skills
• Complex cognitive thinking abilities

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