Client Services - Account Executive (Johannesburg)

Job description

Job purpose

As a (Mid) AE, you will be a pivotal support figure for the senior client service manager on their allocated portfolios. This full-time position requires in-office presence, split between the client's site and the agency's office. You will engage closely with internal teams and external clients to ensure seamless project execution.

Key responsibilities

• Take the lead on certain portfolios, manage day-to-day tasks, coordinate project timelines, and maintain communication between the agency, client, and the Client Service Manager (CSM).
• Collaborate daily with the Senior CSM, assisting in project prioritization and resource allocation while ensuring timely task completion.
• Handle administrative and operational requirements, oversee budgets, maintain social and digital platforms, and stay updated on industry trends.
• Demonstrate resilience, assertiveness, and the ability to make decisive decisions under the guidance of the CSM.
• Experience and proficiency across various marketing applications are advantageous, particularly in:
  • Digital and social campaign management
  • Event coordination
  • Through-the-line campaign oversight
• Possess financial acumen to track budgets, and project costs, and identify potential budget risks.

Key Objectives

• Play a critical on-the-ground support role for the senior client service manager on the portfolio.
• Spearhead or lead on certain portfolios with the supervision of the senior CSM.
• Execute and manage all day-to-day tasks accurately and professionally within stipulated deadlines.
• Assist in creating project timelines and ensure task completion from allocated resources.
• Brief internal teams, manage deadlines and deliverables and support and drive the planning and execution of client projects.
• Spend up to three days a week at the client's office and the remaining days at the agency, managing diaries, and syncing with agency resources.
• Be the key correspondent between the client, agency resources, and the CSM.
• Collaborate closely with the Senior CSM daily to align with ongoing projects, new requests, and CSM prioritization of work coming into the agency.
• Ensure the correct resources are allocated for any given task and manage delivery on deadlines. Ensure all client needs are met in a timely manner.
• Provide key support to the CSM during their absence.
• Assist with client estimates, chases, reconciliations, budgets, and status updates.
• Monitor and maintain social and digital platforms with allocated resources, along with staying abreast of competitor activity and digital trends.
• Automotive experience is preferred.
• Experience required across 360-degree marketing applications, including but not limited to:
  • Digital and social campaign management
  • Coordination of promotional events and activations/prize fulfilment
  • Through-the-line campaign management
• Demonstrate resilience and assertiveness, navigating challenges confidently and making decisive decisions with the guidance of the CSM.
• Possess financial acumen – the ability to track budgets, project costs, and spending, and alert on potential risks related to budget thresholds.

Key results

• Ensure precise execution and management of day-to-day tasks in alignment with client service manager directives.
• Responsively handle communication queries, particularly during the CSM's absence, guaranteeing timely facilitation of requirements both internally and with clients.
• Support and manage information from key stakeholders, proactively informing and aligning client service manager to ensure strategic awareness and operational effectiveness.
• Complete timesheets accurately and promptly within designated deadlines to uphold efficient administrative processes and time management.
• Provide comprehensive assistance for queries, reporting requirements, and any identified tasks.
• Demonstrate flexibility by effectively handling diverse tasks directed by the business or client service manager/s, ensuring completion at the expected standard.
• Act as the primary liaison between clients, agency resources, and the CSM, facilitating collaboration, ensuring appropriate resource allocation, and meeting client needs within stipulated timelines.
• Provide key support to the CSM during their absence, handling administrative and operational requirements efficiently to maintain continuity.
• Exhibit financial acumen by effectively tracking budgets, project costs, and spending, while leveraging experience across 360-degree marketing applications, encompassing digital and social campaign management, event coordination, and through-the-line campaign oversight.
• Stay updated with industry trends, competitor activities, and digital platform maintenance, demonstrating resilience and assertiveness in making decisive decisions under the guidance of the CSM, thereby contributing to effective strategic decisions and risk management.

Ideal background

• Diploma in administration and/or project management (or a related field).
• Knowledge of digital advertising and its requirements (Required).
• Business English language skills.
• 3+ years' experience in an agency environment (Required).
• Exp. in working across multiple client brands.

Competency profile/specific professional competencies

• Attention to detail and thorough administrative skills.
• Prepared to perform at optimal levels to ensure the best possible outcome.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• A well-established individual who will fit into the existing.