Group Account Director (Consumer & Brand)

Agency : Red Agency

Job Description :

Responsible for overall agency service and activities on one or more groups of accounts. Supervises one or more Account Supervisors. Top level client contact. Probably a senior officer of the agency, reporting to either President or Director of Client Services. May be an Executive V.P.

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This person significantly contributes to the agency’s overall performance and revenue, identifies and develops new and organic business opportunities and serves as a valued leader and resource for clients and client account teams.

GADs are recognised inside and outside the agency for their expertise and ability to successfully build and manage business and people. They are responsible for building business and developing resources that can be used across the business. They must show a measurable contribution to the successful reputation and profitable growth of the company. A GAD works closely with the ED and MP to deliver the achievement of the agency’s vision, values and management philosophies.

A GAD adds depth to client capabilities, leverages the full resources of Red and the wider network with clients and provides support to all other team members.

A GAD has shown commitment to the agency beyond the role of effective account management and has demonstrated an understanding of how they can best contribute to the growth and leadership of the business. They have attained a respected and marketable body of expertise along one or more of three core career tracks: products and services; relationships and business development; or management

A GAD should routinely provide exceptional leadership in the following areas of performance:

Management and Professional Skills

A GAD meets all the responsibilities and expectations of a senior account director and:

• Has developed an area of expertise in one or more industries or communication disciplines and routinely applies this expertise to the benefit of clients, potential clients and the firm.
• Pushes the envelope of our skill base and product capabilities.
• Is sought and valued by senior client contacts and Red teams for counsel.
• Has extensive knowledge, is able to develop strong integrated campaigns
• Actively leads the growth and development of the agency’s core practice areas.
• Effectively works with and manages account teams to ensure that work and service is delegated to the appropriate experience levels within the team structure.
• Leverages key stakeholder relationships for benefit of the agency. E.g. clients, media, celebrities, digital partners etc.
• Develops the professional and management skills of team members; provides ongoing feedback and training opportunities for team.
• Lends particular skills, capabilities or knowledge to assist the ED and MP in problem solving on behalf of clients, teams or general management of the office.
• Is utilized as a consultancy resource and lends professional creativity to client and new business engagements.
• Provides leadership in driving a positive work culture.
• Is a positive role model and mentor for others in the agency.

Financial/Administrative

• Manages overall financial performance of their client portfolio to meet and exceed targets set (growth targets set at beginning of each calendar year).
• Leads efforts to develop and achieve company revenue and profitability projections.
• When necessary and appropriate, intervenes with account teams and clients to address financial and billing issues.
• Completes timesheets daily and otherwise acts in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• To monitor and manage resources of the teams. This means monitoring staff billability, ensuring the hours allocation for client work is updated and reviewed for overload, managing cover during holidays, identifying potential issues e.g. one-off client projects.

Business Development

• To identify those clients without the potential for growth and recommend appropriate action to the company and implement and developing strategy for growth/realising potential.
• Identifies and develops ‘real’ new business opportunities and takes a leadership role in new business pitches.
• Leads or otherwise participates fully in new business efforts
• Must be familiar with and work to develop/improve the agency’s new business processes.
• To identify opportunities to ‘farm’ the client both for additional services for One Green Bean.
• Valued as a routine contributor of informed, analytical and strategic contributions to new program development.
• To ensure Havas Red has a network of contacts within the client. I.e. to avoid dependence on one point of contact.

People Management

• Supports with recruiting and hiring of staff including active involvement in identifying new talent and the interview process.
• Leads company efforts to train and develop staff including active involvement in identifying talent for progression.
• To provide strategic counsel to SADs, ADs and SAMs who report into them.
• Manages overall performance assessment, training and development of relevant staff.
• Conducts performance reviews and career development counseling for direct reports.
• Manages staff to maximize performance and productivity.
• Pro-actively identify ‘tired’ account teams i.e. when teams need changing
• To ensure all staff are receiving regular performance reviews both in terms of the formal system and on a day-to-day basis in terms of feedback.
• To provide general input into management meetings regarding staffing issues.

Initiative and General Management

• Is familiar with, and supports achievement of, the company’s vision and exemplifies the company’s values.
• Works with the ED to manage resources to maximize performance, productivity and profitability.
• Proactively seeks new ways to learn, improve and contribute.
• Takes the initiative to step in and take a hands-on role when required by the team or the organisation:
• to provide strategic counsel as required to the client and to attend formal account reviews.
• to maintain their knowledge of their client’s industry. This should be by continuous reading, attending relevant networking functions etc.
• to maintain their knowledge of the latest thinking and practices in PR and social and apply these to the clients as required.
• Consistently adds to the skill base of the organisation by effectively developing people.
• Is committed to building a sense of one company across all employees and to applying and enhancing all company resources and capabilities as a matter of course.

Contract Type : Permanent

Here at Havas across the group we pride ourselves on being committed to offering equal opportunities to all potential employees and have zero tolerance for discrimination. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants irrespective of age, sex, race, ethnicity, disability and other factors that have no bearing on an individual’s ability to perform their job.