Please submit cover letter and resume to Sue Friedman at sfriedman@hd-branding.com
» Vice President Client Services with Consumer Promotions and Shopper Marketing Experience
» Account Manager
» Account Coordinator
Vice President Client Services with Consumer Promotions and Shopper Marketing Experience
Our new VP Client Services will be an experienced agency professional with a background in integrated shopper marketing, consumer promotions, and consumer packaged goods. Ideal candidate also has experience working with/for large food organizations (Kraft, Heinz, Nestle, Hershey, etc).
The VP Client Services will:
- Be a visionary leader who has the capacity to take agency to the next level.
- Play a pivotal role in the growth of existing clients by developing comprehensive, measurable account plans.
- Understand the world of CPG marketing and have at least 8-10 years of relevant agency experience in consumer promotions and shopper marketing.
- Be knowledgeable about the latest online/offline trends that will influence and captivate the shopper by understanding key shopper and retailer insights, promotions, merchandising, different store formats, the digital experience, and integrating that knowledge into cohesive, 360-degree initiatives.
- Possess strong leadership and collaboration skills to work with internal (Creative/Planning/ Production, etc.) and external teams. Team building, mentoring and motivation skills are critical.
- Have the ability to develop, lead, nurture and grow senior-level relationships with large, nationally recognized brands.
- Think strategically and analytically, while building big picture ideas and plans for client-related initiatives.
Responsibilities:
- Manages all client service personnel, providing oversight on all client programs, projects and initiatives.
- Manages client service team by fostering industry learning, account management skills and career development while driving staff efficiency.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with senior-level clients (Brand/Business Directors/VP-level marketing).
- Bears final responsibility for clients' P&L and organic growth.
- Manage internal and external resources to bring big picture ideas and 360 marketing programs to life, on time and on budget.
Account Manager
The Account Manager is responsible for the daily contact between the agency and their assigned accounts. The AM interfaces with the various departments of the agency to move projects through the agency system on behalf of the client - this includes meeting with the Creative Director concerning creative issues and input; the Art Directors concerning project status; and the Production Manager concerning scheduling and timing.
Account Managers add value by providing major input in developing strategic marketing plans for their clients. After plans are developed and presented to clients, the Account Manager is responsible for executing the plan out on a daily basis, ensuring timing and budget parameters are met.
Account Managers are also responsible for having a deep understanding of their client's business and providing value-added recommendations that will drive their client's business forward. The AM is also responsible for searching out new business opportunities with their existing clients.
Reports to the Director of Client Services.
Duties:
- Meets regularly with their brand teams (Production Manager/Creative Director/other applicable personnel) to coordinate agency efforts on behalf of their assigned clients/accounts.
- Receives client briefings. Develops Client Contact Reports for all client meetings and distributes to appropriate agency personnel and clients. Quickly and accurately relays Change Orders to all appropriate agency personnel and client.
- Effectively presents, sells and defends all agency work/proposals to clients; supports other client service team members in these functions.
- Keeps apprised of client's brands/products/services/marketing developments.
- Prepares project proposals and marketing communications planning documents.
- Develops project estimates and ensures the projects fall within required scope, budget and timing. Makes modifications (via change orders) to those estimates if deemed necessary (scope change, timing, budget, etc.) for client approval.
- Regularly checks for and responds promptly to all client communications, including calls, faxes, and e-mails. Excellent communication skills are extremely important.
- Checks and approves creative/production materials, copy, layouts, and production art, and coordinates client approval of same.
- Coordinates project timing and budgets with all relevant agency personnel.
- Actively seeks additional projects/new business from client contacts.
- Keeps apprised of progress of client's projects through production managers or other relevant personnel via regular meetings and status reports
Key Characteristics:
- Logical and analytical, yet capable of lateral thought; extremely organized and detail-oriented
- Pragmatic approach to problem solving
- Ability to conceptualize and think strategically
- Ability to clearly identify client problems and opportunities
- Good presentation skills; articulates well and is able to argue a point of view coherently and concisely
- Exceptional people skills; not afraid of high-level or senior audiences
- Quick-thinker; able to speak authoritatively, without seeming dogmatic or inflexible
- A team player
- Someone who can appreciate and use inputs from others
- Must to able to deal with pressure, unpredictable circumstances
- Comfortable in a fast-paced work environment
Account Coordinator
The role of an Account Coordinator is generally to provide assistance to the Account Management staff in the day-to-day management of accounts and to develop the skills necessary to advance to the position of Account Manager.
General Responsibilities:
- Gather and assemble background information and research/analyses as needed by the Account team in development of creative briefs, incoming projects, etc.
- Provide administrative assistance to the account team including development and upkeep of status reports, financial projections, billing, timelines, preparation for client meetings, conference reports and other account-related correspondence and documentation.
- Participate in client meetings, when appropriate, and develop meeting notes and actionable next steps for the team including development of job starters, change orders, estimates, etc. to institute new work and/or revise existing work.
- Participate in internal kick-off meetings and interact with other agency departments including Production, Creative and Accounting to discuss current jobs, deliverables and timelines and assist in keeping the team on track.
- Maintain monthly production calendar for assigned accounts.
- Keep abreast of all client activities and provide general back-up to team as well as specific responsibility for projects as assigned.
- Responsible for proofreading copy and reviewing artwork as well as routing through internal proofreader, when appropriate, to ensure all work is reviewed prior to distribution to client and meets client style guidelines and mandatories.
- Ensures all projects proceed according to set plans and deadlines, alerting Account team to potential issues before they arise.
- Maintain client files for all assigned accounts, detailing past work and work in progress, including all pertinent information needed for accurate proofreading and meeting of client standards.
Organizational skills:
- Self-starter; willing to take initiative
- Ability to juggle multiple assignments, clients and personalities
- Time management skills
- Team player - lend a hand where needed
- Willingness to work long hours
