Account Manager (12-Month Maternity Cover) in Manchester

Please note: This is a 12-Month Maternity Cover. If you’re a creative‑minded Account Manager who loves bringing ideas to life, building strong client relationships, and keeping projects running smoothly, this role could be the perfect next step. You’ll join a supportive, collaborative team working on one of our flagship retail accounts, where no two days look the same and your contribution genuinely makes an impact. This is a chance to work closely with talented creatives, shape exciting omnichannel campaigns, and grow your skills in a fast‑paced, forward‑thinking environment — all while helping deliver work that millions of customers see every day.

As a Creative Account Manager, you will oversee campaigns from initial brief through to delivery, working closely with clients, creative teams, and production specialists to ensure every project is delivered on time, on budget, and to an exceptional standard. While the primary focus will be Local Marketing, you will also have opportunities to support wider national retail and brand‑level creative activity.

Key Responsibilities:

• End‑to‑end management of all Local Marketing creative briefs
• Day‑to‑day client relationship management, acting as the primary point of contact
• Working closely with creative teams to ensure work meets the brief, brand guidelines, and strategic objectives
• Quoting, scoping, and managing projects against agreed budgets
• Managing timelines, approvals, and delivery milestones across multiple workstreams
• Proactively identifying and resolving issues before they impact delivery
• Supporting the Account Director with client updates, reporting, and escalation where required

Collaboration & Delivery:

• Working collaboratively with the wider creative and BAU teams across omnichannel briefs
• Coordinating with production, artwork, and digital teams to ensure seamless delivery
• Overseeing seasonal and campaign rollouts, ensuring consistency and accuracy across all assets
• Ensuring all work is delivered to a high creative standard and aligns with client expectations
• Maintaining accurate project documentation, trackers, and financial records

Performance & Growth:

• Monitoring project performance and identifying opportunities to improve processes and efficiency
• Supporting the development of new ways of working to enhance client satisfaction
• Proactively identifying opportunities to grow and strengthen the account
• Ensuring all KPIs, SLAs, and internal deadlines are consistently met

Minimum Requirements:

• 2 years’ agency experience in a client‑facing role (retail experience beneficial but not essential)
• Strong understanding of creative processes across print, digital, and omnichannel marketing
• Confident critiquing creative and strategic outputs against the brief
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office and comfortable using project management tools
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously in a fast‑paced environment

Skills & Behaviours:

• A collaborative team player who builds strong internal and external relationships
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Exceptional attention to detail and organisational skills
• Ability to work autonomously and make informed decisions
• Comfortable working in a fast‑moving retail environment with shifting priorities
• A proactive mindset with a genuine interest in understanding the client’s business
• A strong creative eye and the confidence to challenge and guide creative work

Benefits:

• 25 days’ holiday + bank holidays
• Annual Wellbeing Day
• Pension Scheme
• Corporate Medical Cash Plan
• Smart Working Options
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Monthly Employee Awards
• Raising money for charity including a paid Volunteer Day
• Referral scheme
• Wellbeing Programme
• Enhanced Family Friendly Leave

We Value Diversity: We champion and welcome diversity in our workforce and ensure all job applicants receive equal and fair treatment, regardless of age, race, gender or gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or nationality. We are committed to increasing the visibility and recognition of talent from under‑represented groups within our organisation and the wider industry too.

What next? If you found yourself interested in knowing more, drop us your application and someone from our team will be in touch.