Job Description

Purpose of the Role The Account Manager works with both their clients and their team to ensure the efficient and effective running of their accounts. They clearly understand their clients\xe2\x80\x99 objectives and requirements, the commercial terms of their retained accounts and projects and level of resource required to service the accounts. Client facing, Account Managers translate quick but creative thinking into decisive action; providing team management, delegation of tasks and exceptional media relations skills.

Core Responsibilities Client Management

• Builds and maintains strong relationships with clients, establishing self and TEAM LEWIS as an invaluable long-term partner for marketing and communications services
• Manages all communication with the client and ensures deadlines and service agreements are met consistently by the team
• Works closely with the client and Account Director to regularly review account performance, identifying and communicating opportunities for additional PR, marketing and digital services
• Adds value to new business pitches by providing support with coordination, content generation and presentation preparation, in addition to attendance
• Schedules, organises and runs regular client meetings and calls, providing consultative advice on tactical communications activity

• Understands and avidly follows the news agenda, positioning clients and products within the wider news narrative
• Oversees all media relations activity on behalf of the client, maintaining key media contacts for campaigns and projects
• Builds, maintains and develops productive relationships with journalists, bloggers, influencers and analysts across national, trade and vertical media channels
• Utilises networks to create and maximise client coverage, advising on long-form and short-term narratives
• Maintains and promotes a sound understanding of current affairs relevant to the industry and the wider news agenda
• Deploys rapid response to breaking news on behalf of clients, reacting quickly to emerging stories in line with client profiles

• Oversees and provides content creation for campaigns and projects including press releases, articles, blog entries, and other written material
• Drafts - and oversees the drafting of - a broad range of written materials including biographies, briefing documents, media alerts, soundbites, Q&As, backgrounders and boilerplates, ensuring a consistent level of high quality content
• Works with content experts to improve knowledge of techniques and writing styles across multiple channels and platforms

• Uses social media platforms to expand own network, develop media relationships and positively impact client results
• Pitches additional digital content including infographics, animations and video to support written content and client aims
• Uses social media and proactively explores new tools, solutions and processes to continuously evolve and optimise client PR campaigns
• Provides social media insight as well as execution and management of related digital activity
• Works collaboratively with the digital team to increase the utilisation of digital services wherever possible

• Acts as a respected line manager, working closely with line reports to maximise strengths, improve weaknesses and support career development
• Line manages the account team, including coaching, supervision, assessment and review of junior team members
• Sets team objectives on a daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly basis
• Ensures the on-going achievement of all deliverable client objectives
• Monitors team activity levels against budget, increasing and decreasing individuals allocation where necessary
• Provides guidance to colleagues on how to best manage campaigns, including answering general new business requests
• Works with the Talent team to recruit high calibre junior level candidates into the team
• Works with the HR team to reward, retain and develop your team and resolve any performance related issues
• Regularly attends and leads TEAM LEWIS training sessions and daily press briefings to enhance skills and develop knowledge

• Ensures that all activity and results are reported back to the client, providing insight and analysis where possible
• Communicates account performance internally (account reviews) to relevant stakeholders
• Provides detailed reports to the Account Director or senior management team on request

• Runs and supports training sessions, with a view to maximising opportunities to expand team skills and grow revenue
• Takes a proactive role in promoting the TEAM LEWIS brand, its work, identity and values
• Supports the HR / talent team by promoting both internal and external opportunities at TEAM LEWIS across social media and via the referral scheme
• Contributes and supports the continuous improvement of systems, practices and policies

• Relevant experience of working in a B2B, corporate, consumer or digital communications agency environment at a Senior Account Executive or Account Manager level
• Attention to detail
• Proven written ability in English and local languages
• Creative thinking
• Understanding of client business issues and requirements
• Highly developed presentation skills
• Thorough knowledge of media: print and broadcast
• Understanding of market research and analysis
• Ability to motivate and lead a team
• Ability to delegate effectively
• Calmness under pressure and ability to achieve tight deadlines
• Ability to interact with confidence at board-level with clients
• Proven ability to keep abreast of current affairs and relate them to client situations
• Polished and professional appearance