Account Manager

Job Function

Business Unit: Ogilvy Public Relations
Department: Account Management
Location: Johannesburg, GP
Type: Permanent

Role

An account manager should be a broadly capable project and account manager who handles a wide range of assignments, projects and/or clients with a high degree of success and independence.

An account manager has demonstrated high-level professional knowledge and skills.  She/he should be able to manage a piece of a large account or a few smaller ones, with top cover from her/his account director, business director, director or and/or managing director.  She/he should have project management, budgeting, counselling, programme, people management and emerging business development skills.  He/she takes responsibility for the projects he/she manages, providing excellent client service, applying the office’s best resources, effectively managing people involved in projects and managing for profitable growth.  As account manager demonstrates the ability and wherewithal to deliver on our vision, performance requirements and growth projections. An account manager has strong client relationships.  There is no time limit on the account manager position.

Job Description

An account manager meets all the responsibilities and expectations of an account executive and:

• Manages client expectations.
• Develops and manages projects/programmes, including implementation plans, evaluation mechanisms, staffing plans, budgets and timelines.
• Independently handles several small accounts or major projects of a large account, performing much of the day-to-day work with assistance from both more junior and more senior staff as appropriate.
• Is client’s primary day-to-day contact on projects, or for smaller accounts, is the contact for the full account and has client’s respect, trust and confidence.
• Develops presentations for clients relative to project management/programme status.
• Keeps team(s) appropriately informed and involved in projects.
• Identifies and secures help on emerging account problems.
• Is able to articulate and apply agency vision, goals, practice areas, products and overall capabilities.

Professional skills

• Has full understanding of public relations and a demonstrated ability to achieve public relations objectives.
• Develops and drafts communication programmes based on team input.
• Understands business trends for industry segment/products.
• Develops his / her editing skills so that he / she becomes capable of directing the written materials of others.
• Oversees and directs media campaigns. Has established relationships with print and broadcast journalists.
• Efficiently and effectively plans and manages events (e.g., press conferences, media tours, analyst meetings, advocate briefings, etc.)
• Understands the creative process and how to work effectively with internal and external creative resources.
• Has established a circle of industry editorial, investment community, professional and/or third-party group contacts.
• Has strong presentation skills and plays an increasingly active role in new business and client presentations.
• Anticipates and assists in developing solutions to client needs and problems.
• Provides leadership in building effective, productive account teams.

Financial/administrative

• Develops accurate project budgets and monitors them effectively.
• Oversees timely development and distribution of bills and activity reports.
• Completes timesheets daily and otherwise acts in accordance with company policies and procedures, and ensures that team does the same.

Initiative and general management

• Is familiar with, and supports achievement of, the company’s vision and exemplifies the company’s values.
• Routinely contributes to agency growth and performance as project, team, group and agency leader.
• Delegates effectively.
• Routinely recommends and implements solutions when problems arise.
• Assists peers in problem solving.
• Uses talents of colleagues in own problem solving.
• Routinely seeks and shares information with colleagues.
• Participates actively in team, staff and client meetings.
• Routinely invests in building agency and client accounts and resources.
• Works with business director to identify and address training, leadership and career development needs.
• Continually seeks new ways to learn, improve and contribute.
• Exhibits a sense of curiosity about client work and seeks more information and knowledge in response. Experience on a fast pace consumer brand essential

How to Apply

Send CV to: tracy.donald [at] ogilvypr.co.za

Ogilvy & Mather South Africa is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, colour, creed, religion, sex, national origin, veteran status, disability, age, citizenship, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, sexual orientation or because of gender identity or expression.