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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead client accounts in retail entertainment, driving sales and exceeding expectations.
- Company: Join a creative, independent advertising agency focused on storytelling and innovative solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, charity days, and a supportive Employee Assistance Programme.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team, shaping impactful marketing strategies and fostering client relationships.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in client-facing roles, strong communication skills, and a knack for project management.
- Other info: Engage in fun social events and enjoy perks like a cycle to work scheme.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
An independent full-service advertising agency for specialist sectors. Storytellers first and foremost, nimble with a client first mentality, entrepreneurial, with a test and learn philosophy, imaginative in delivering commercially impactful solutions, and collaborate, assembling talented teams to tell stories.
The Associate Account Director will be the owner of the account, responsible for managing clients within the retail entertainment sector. The successful candidate should ensure that sales and margin targets are exceeded as well as ensuring that the client services team exceeds expectations and agreed KPIs. You will have a drive to grow all of the business's services and ensure that this is achieved through innovation, increasing 'share of wallet' to your fullest capability. You will also ensure timely, accurate and meaningful reporting both internally and externally.
Key Responsibilities
- To develop and maintain an agreed Account Plan
- To develop and maintain an agreed Annual Commercial/Development Plan (ADP)
- To understand and support the client’s marketing strategy, seeing and thinking from the Client’s perspective and demonstrating client intelligence in everything we do
- Maintain current and future knowledge of retail/shopper marketing, integrated marketing, advertising, social media and consumer and business trends
- To drive positive interactions within all facets of OUAT
- Monitor and measure client satisfaction
- To develop effective relationships with the key decision makers covering all areas of the OUAT proposition
- To review regularly (at least monthly) the performance of the account against the SLAs and KPIs within the account plan, resolve issues and report as required.
- To produce accurate forecasts and budgets as required for the Account and deliver these
- To produce reports as required
- To feedback market intelligence to the Group Account Directors and Agency Board
- Actively research the market to ensure we know if competitors are courting our clients and build awareness of market influences and developments affecting their environment
- To identify new commercial opportunities or ways by which the OUAT proposition can be developed and to communicate these to the sales team
- To develop the account team, ensuring that they have the necessary skills to deliver the account plan and ensure there is an involving and participative culture within the team and that opportunities for continuous improvement are identified and realised
- To effectively manage the overhead within the account team
- Ensure financial governance is maintained in pricing, margin analysis, credit control, recruitment, expenses, external spend, etc.
- Ensure quality of information to the business and in particular adherence to critical paths
- To resolve through the customer support team operational issues that occur within the account.
Key Attributes
- At least 5 years' experience of selling into clients/retailers/brands which may have been gained by working for an integrated marketing agency, working for a print and/or print management company, working for a brand selling into retail or working client side within a retailer.
- Previous experience of working with Blue Chip clients.
- Understanding and can demonstrate the power of POS/POP in the in-store marketing arena
- Positive, enthusiastic & charismatic demeanour.
- Used to managing and documenting account plans.
- Commercially astute.
- Competent negotiator.
- Able to manage complex projects to time and budget.
- Ability to generate new business organically or through new channels or contacts.
- Ability to lead a team.
- Able to work on own initiative and with limited supervision.
- Excellent communicator both written and oral as well as being a great active listener.
- Possess a high degree of emotional intelligence.
- Natural participative leader of people, has a presence and gravitas.
- Self-motivated, dynamic, energetic, gets things done.
- Team player with a track record of developing high performance accounts.
- Ability to influence people.
- Computer literate and familiar with all Microsoft packages.
- New business exposure, understanding of print/press, understanding of retail marketing, understanding of digital and an understanding of AV are also desirable.
- A relevant degree to the industry is also desirable.
The Benefits
- 25 days' pay annual leave per year.
- 2 days per year additional leave to engage in charitable work.
- Employee Assistance Programme that offers support to employees with a wide range of concerns from mental health through to finances.
- Enhanced family leave pay.
- Season ticket loan
- Cycle to work scheme
- Annual company away day and regular social events (often on our own rooftop terrace at the studio).
Associate Account Director employer: Once Upon A Time
Contact Detail:
Once Upon A Time Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Account Director
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the retail entertainment sector. Understanding the latest trends and challenges in this area will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to our clients' success.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the advertising and marketing industry. Attend relevant events or join online forums to connect with potential colleagues and learn more about the role and its expectations.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your understanding of account management by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed client relationships in the past. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you've used to exceed sales and margin targets.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills by discussing any experience you have in developing teams or mentoring colleagues. Highlight how you foster a collaborative environment that drives high performance.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Account Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in account management, particularly within the retail entertainment sector. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to exceed sales and margin targets.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your understanding of the company's client-first mentality and how your entrepreneurial spirit aligns with their values. Mention your experience with Blue Chip clients and your ability to drive positive interactions.
Showcase Your Skills: Emphasise key attributes such as your commercial acumen, negotiation skills, and ability to manage complex projects. Provide examples of how you've developed effective relationships with decision-makers in previous roles.
Demonstrate Market Knowledge: Highlight your understanding of retail/shopper marketing trends and how you can leverage this knowledge to identify new commercial opportunities. This will show your proactive approach and ability to contribute to the agency's growth.
How to prepare for a job interview at Once Upon A Time
✨Know Your Client's Perspective
Make sure to research the retail entertainment sector and understand the specific challenges and opportunities your potential clients face. Demonstrating that you can think from the client's perspective will show your ability to align with their marketing strategies.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Prepare examples of how you've exceeded sales and margin targets in previous roles. Be ready to discuss your experience with budgeting, forecasting, and financial governance, as these are crucial for the Associate Account Director position.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Be prepared to talk about your experience in leading teams and developing high-performance accounts. Highlight instances where you've fostered a participative culture and driven continuous improvement within your team.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, both in writing and verbally. Active listening is equally important, so be ready to engage with your interviewers and respond thoughtfully to their questions.
