Friends & Neighbors | Account Director
Advertising
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Description
Friends & Neighbors is an independent, performance-driven creative company. We partner with a select group of thoughtful, committed, challenger-minded marketers to instill brands and people with passion and purpose.
As Friends & Neighbors grows, we are looking to add an Account Management Director who is an enthusiastic, hardworking, self-starter who is just as comfortable working autonomously as with a team. The ideal candidate will be a champion of the Friends & Neighbors creative culture, and a wide-eyed optimist bringing enthusiasm to the office and offering up new ideas and programs. The candidate should have a solid background in Account Management and will be able to connect with our clients, collaborate with our leadership and be seen and felt as a leader whom others want to follow.
The candidate will be expected to perform the following responsibilities:
Account Management at Friends & Neighbors
You are the face of Friends & Neighbors. You build the client relationship into a partnership, and that partnership into prosperity for you, the client and the agency. Your purpose is to make clients successful, not just happy. You are the President of your accounts. You inspire diverse teams to push themselves, work in harmony and achieve great things. You are a critical advocate for both your client and your agency. Without you, business languishes, teams disintegrate, and no one is happy.
As an Account Director:
Client Relationships
Establish and maintain strong relationships across the entire client organization as a trusted confidant as well as a business and brand advisor
Understand the client’s business, including all of its interrelated issues, and lead the development and execution of strategic plans
Stay actively involved in your client’s business providing new thinking and thought leadership in their category
Prepare and give professional presentation within F&N brand standards
Foresee and solve problems/conflict and proactively communicate/advance sound solutions
Be the calm in every storm. React positively and productively to high pressure situations
Earn the right and credibility to push back when necessary
Advocate for the agency
Account Financials
Help set and meet financial goals and maintain up-to-date financial reports and projections
Grow fee billings, maintain continual client/job profitability and manage outside costs within budget
Actively plan 3-6 months ahead and proactively bring clients relevant and valuable new projects
Prepare thorough and persuasive SOWs
Work with Finance to assure timely and accurate client billing and payment
Enlist leadership as needed to meet goals
Teams
Develop strong, productive teams including internal and external resources and keep teams engaged, focused and on track
Motivate and provide the conditions for teams to do great work by fostering creativity, collaboration, compassion and enthusiasm
Communicate effectively with teams keeping them informed, but not overwhelmed
Assure the completion of accurate and timely conference reports, briefs, status reports
Manage direct reports (account supervisors and AEs)
Provide timely and thoughtful feedback and reviews to direct reports and help mentor and train them so that they can grow in their career
New Business
Help prospect for new clients individually and as part of the team
Maintain, grow and utilize your professional network for new business opportunities
Lead pitch processes – RFIs, RFPs, credentials, pitches, SOWs, etc.
Provide/create thought leadership content to help attract new prospects
Attend industry functions as a means of prospecting
Requirements
Minimum of 5+ years relevant experience in an agency environment
Minimum of two years of experience effectively managing teams and inspiring them to deliver their best work
Strong management and interpersonal skills
Experience in successfully planning and strategizing integrated campaigns, including multiple tactics
History of successfully pitching new business opportunities to existing and potential clients
Proven track record of building and sustaining client relationships at a senior level
Able to write concisely and present ideas confidently
Willingness to travel on occasion for client meetings
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint and proven ability to learn and master additional productivity software
As a Friend & Neighbor
Live our belief: A small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. And our promise: to build our clients’ brands based on their defining beliefs.
Promote an environment of passion, optimism, creativity, intelligence, belonging, collaboration and respect.
Actively avoid ego, entitlement, attitude, cynicism, frustration or any other negativity in yourself and others. Acknowledge that you have the power and responsibility to change these things.
Strive to do great work all the time.
Take an active role in the betterment, promotion and growth of the agency (financially and professionally).
Continue to better yourself personally and professionally.
Help attract top talent for open positions.
Have a great time doing all the above.
We offer a competitive range of benefits from medical, dental, and disability/life insurance, to competitive pay, a 401k with employer match, unlimited PTO, and an office-centric hybrid workplace.
We are an equal opportunity employer.
