Associate Director

Role The role is to plan, manage and oversee all work being implemented by the client and act as a source of counsel across the team. 

• Key requirements

• Experience in delivering projects in an agency environment coupled with exceptionally strong client servicing skills.

• Experience delivering projects for both local and global implementations.

• Knowledge of and experience implementing project management principles including the ability to use project timeline management tools.

• Demonstrate ability to manage and scope digital requirements.

• Experience in data analysis.

• Strong organization and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and accounts at any one time and balance strategy with delivery.

• Experienced in managing budget and resources.

• Experienced in writing clear briefs and work orders and have the confidence to challenge agencies on approach, recommendation and costs.

• Ability to be a strong team player, but also work autonomously and self-motivated.

• Exceptional communication and people management skills including the ability to communicate with a diverse range of stakeholders.

• Responsibilities

• External – Client Servicing

• Sustain key interface with clients and set the tone for staff in terms of client servicing expectations.

• Have high degree of professionalism and a thorough understanding of client/agency relationships, and a solid understanding of how to manage and operate a business.

• Provide leadership in the areas of total account management including day-to-day account activity and the provision of strategic guidance and counsel to clients that will assist clients in meeting their business objectives.

• Proactively deliver counsel to clients

• Manage client expectations

• Arbitrate/help solve client problems

• Match client needs with the team’s ability, help appoint client team.

• Develop strategy for clients.

• Write creative briefs.

• Supervise team on account projects.

• Review copy before sending to client.

• Assist with writing and editing client presentations as needed.

• Proactively manage under/over-service with the client through reviews

• Cultivate business growth opportunities among existing and prospective clients.

• Lead and contribute to new business proposals.

• Negotiate client and vendor contracts and manage client budgeting and authorization process before beginning work.

• Internal – The People, The Company

• Ensure performance expectations, career development plans, and goals are set and reviewed annually during the formal performance review process for all direct reports.

• Provide ongoing, constructive feedback to staff, consistently hold them accountable, and address underperformance in a timely manner.

• Mentor, coach, and support all team members, and ensure you and your staff are constantly developing abilities.

• Develop staff to become capable of assuming more senior roles.

• Set achievable goals and tasks, delegate opportunities, and provide resources for direct reports to meet their goals, consistently measure and recognize goal achievement.

• Oversee quality control of teams’ assignments including writing, pitching, proposals, reporting, and delivery.

• Encourage teams to participate in and talk about company-wide initiatives.

• Establish achievable revenue growth targets annually.

• Understand core financial constructs including revenue, profitability, pricing structures, utilization, actuals, budgeting, and forecasting.

• Proactively plan and maintain team structures to ensure reasonable workloads, optimized profitability, accommodation to project and budget changes, and to avoid over-servicing.

• Accurately record your time correctly to the right project codes on a timely basis

• Approve time, expenses, and POs accurately and regularly.

• Use the firm’s financial system to bill clients accurately and minimize delays and adjustments.

• Lead by example; demonstrate strong work ethic, creative abilities, and industry expertise.

• Communicate and inspire colleagues and staff through vision, goals and strategy for client teams and guide them to produce creative and effective outcomes.

• Set and pursue goals for you and your staff.

• Build your leadership skills.

• Manage conflicts well.

• Create a climate that encourages ethical conduct and a commitment to compliance with the law.

• Participate in and lead on the development and adoption of new products, services, intellectual property, and thought leadership materials related to your areas of expertise.