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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 impactful storytelling.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, charity days, and a supportive employee assistance programme.
- Why this job: Be part of an innovative team that values collaboration and personal growth.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in client-facing roles, with experience in integrated marketing and retail.
- Other info: Engage in fun social events and enjoy a vibrant workplace culture.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Who We Are
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.
About the role
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 demeanor.
- 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 the agency's goals during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the advertising and marketing industry, especially those who have experience with Blue Chip clients. Building these connections can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous successes in managing accounts and exceeding sales targets. Be ready to share specific examples that demonstrate your commercial acumen and ability to drive growth.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills by discussing how you've developed teams in the past. Highlight your ability to foster a collaborative environment and encourage continuous improvement among team members.
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 entrepreneurial spirit. Share how your previous experiences align with their values and how you can contribute to their innovative approach.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your work history, focus on quantifiable achievements. Mention specific KPIs you have met or exceeded in past roles, and how you developed effective relationships with key decision-makers.
Demonstrate Industry Knowledge: Research current trends in retail and shopper marketing. In your application, reference your knowledge of POS/POP strategies and how they can impact in-store marketing, showcasing your expertise in the field.
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 financial governance, pricing strategies, and how you've successfully managed budgets in the past.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As an Associate Account Director, you'll need to lead a team effectively. Share instances where you've developed team members or fostered a participative culture. Highlight your ability to motivate and influence others to achieve high performance.
✨Be Prepared for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage complex projects. Prepare to discuss how you've handled operational issues in the past and how you would approach similar situations in this role.
