Job: Account Director

Jobing Description

Responsible for creating enthusiastically satisfied clients by providing strategic counsel, leading, driving and managing a project to completion, ensuring an on strategy, on time and on budget execution.

Job Responsibilities

1. Embrace Guiding Principles and Mission:

Create a positive, lasting impression for our clients and our people

Create the best experience at every encounter for our internal and external clients

Provide insight, leadership, professionalism and dedication to create enthusiastically satisfied clients

Support a corporate culture that is positive, fulfilling, nurturing and rewarding

Support new technologies and training to ensure optimum efficiency and performance

2. Provide Strategic Counsel:

Play a leadership role in assessing overall client needs, and developing / leading strategic solutions to meet these needs both within Anthem Toronto and the Anthem / Schawk network

Participate in client strategic planning sessions

Offer input / insight in all key client meetings

Prepare proposals identifying recommended solutions

Conduct field research, store audits and attend focus group research

Prepare design briefing document with clear and thorough directions

Present briefing document to the studio and provide input and possible solutions that support the briefing document

Present business proposals / recommendations to internal and external contacts

3. Project Management:

Facilitate internal / external resources to ensure on-time, on-budget and on-strategy execution; obtain and interpret client briefs

Prepare work orders, brief design and production teams

Schedule time with Studio Director

Attend scheduling meetings

Prepare and manage projects critical paths

Communicate with the studio and clients regularly throughout the project cycle (verbal and written communications)

Take ownership of the project and ensure design concepts are delivering against the communication objectives

Exercise time management skills and ensure a smooth execution (both internal and external)

4. Deliver Sales and Profit Goals:

Prepare project estimates on a timely basis and revise as required or as scope of project changes

Secure client approval (signed estimates) before work begins

Manage design and production hours on docket and ensure all time is captured as billable hours

Invoice clients in a timely manner with appropriate back-up and references, as required by client

Manage client account receivables

Communicate A / R status to client on a regular basis

Manage receivables within 30 days

Prepare monthly and quarterly sales forecasts (update twice a month)

Review monthly sales performance with Director, Client Services / Managing Director

5. Build Client Relationship and Customer Service:

Establish trust and credibility, become an extension of our clients organizations (partner vs. supplier)

Ensure tone and manner used with clients are professional and in keeping with the company s guiding principles

Strive to provide knowledge and deliver service which exceeds client expectations

6. Business Development:

Proactively seek to maximize new business opportunities within existing client base

Develop presentation opportunities to capture new business

Promote the company s services at every appropriate opportunity

Qualifications / Requirements

Education: Post Secondary Education Bachelor s degree or equivalent diploma in Marketing, Business Administration, Graphic Management Services or Design

Experience: 5 years experience in account management, experience in design, advertising or related communications business

Other Skills: Strong Macintosh and Windows skills are necessary, including Internet and email

Strong understanding of accounting, estimating and budget management tasks

Excellent time management skills

Ability to understand that the visual expression of the brand has an impact on the success of products and services

Excellent presentation and communication skills, verbal and written

Entrepreneurial spirit combined with good strategic vision and the ability to implement these visions with sound tactical solutions

Understand the power of strong customer relationships and thrive on creating long-term, loyal partnerships

People management skills ability to lead, mentor and manage a dedicated Account Coordinator in consultation with the Account Director and Director, Client Services / Managing Director

Personal Performance Factors

* Integrity/Ethics - deals with others in a straightforward and honest manner, is accountable for actions, maintains confidentiality, supports company values, and conveys good news and bad.
* Perseverance - targets and achieves results, sets challenging goals, prioritizes tasks, overcomes obstacles, accepts accountability, sets team standards and responsibilities, provides leadership/motivation.
* Adaptability/Flexibility - Adapts to change, is open to new ideas, takes on new responsibilities, handles pressure, and adjusts plans to meet changing needs.
* Teamwork - Meets all team deadlines and responsibilities, listens to others and values opinions, helps team leader to meet goals, welcomes newcomers and promotes a team atmosphere.
* Initiative - Tackles problems and takes independent action, seeks out new responsibilities, acts on opportunities, generates new ideas, practices self-development.