Senior Account Manager in Sydney

At Orchard, we believe creativity and technology should work hand-in-hand to invent better outcomes. We’re Australia’s leading health and wellness agency, blending modern marketing with science and powered by deep digital experience. Our work wins effectiveness awards and creates meaningful change for patients, HCPs, and the brands we partner with.

The Senior Account Manager (SAM) marks the transition from an agency/internal focus to a more client-focused role where you begin to demonstrate the skills needed to become an Account Director. The level of client contact is increased, including a combination of accounts that you lead and accounts where you continue to report to a Senior Account Director or Group Account Director.

In this SAM role, you will be delivery focused, trusted as a product owner and given genuine ownership of your own portfolio of work, from financial reporting through to managing multiple client stakeholders and external suppliers. Where you are assigned with lead account responsibilities, you will be responsible for meeting an annual revenue target, assisting with strategically managing the agency-client relationship, ensuring the efficient day-to-day management of your accounts and delivering exceptional solutions for your clients.

The SAM is responsible for:

• Thriving in a fast-paced environment to deliver a steady volume of work
• Championing the work with clients, communicating value and encouraging growth
• Day-to-day management and growth of accounts
• Raising the profile of the agency across the board, both internally and externally
• Developing account plans and delivering against them with the support of an SAD/GAD across assigned clients

Key Functions:

Client Service:

The SAM is responsible for the working relationship with the client. Most aspects of the relationship should be led by the SAM with support as needed by their manager. This should include, but not be limited to:

• Ensuring that clients are efficiently charged for the work the agency has performed
• Bringing best practice in client service skills to the team, managing client expectations proactively
• Providing communications counsel and strategic advice to clients
• Developing strong rapport shaped around long-term relationships with clients and external suppliers
• Bringing exceptional attention to detail to every deliverable, ensuring all work leaves the agency at the highest standard
• Helping create an environment and constructively directing the team to deliver brilliant work
• Developing the professional competencies of the team, driving the group for continuous improvement
• Efficient resolution of client service problems before they escape, proactive management and communication
• Confidently presenting and selling agency ideas and recommendations for improvement
• Regularly scheduling team meetings to review progress, identify problems and mitigation strategies as required
• Planning, forecasting and developing client growth plans shaped around clients overarching strategic objectives
• Providing support and input into strategic plans to best fit with the client’s strategic objectives
• Writing clear, informed creative and production briefs that enable great work
• Inspiring creative thinking and assessing ideation that best suit the clients overarching strategic objectives
• Working with peers to produce work that builds the brand and pushes the boundaries where possible
• Working with the production and creative team to develop concepts to ensure integration and feasibility
• Advising clients and agency teams on the latest digital innovations that are suitable across our clients

New Business:

The SAM should be able to provide support to the team during new business pitches as requested, whilst being responsible for any pitch opportunities within their existing client portfolio.

Finance:

The SAM should proactively identify and deliver existing revenue of up to $1m within their assigned account portfolio and be financially responsible for:

• Owning the financial reporting for your portfolio, keeping it accurate and up to date at all times
• Proactive identification and delivery, working closely with Project Managers
• All client work to be accurately charged for unless agreed otherwise
• Overseeing all estimates and scopes of work created
• Ensuring that any overages are addressed and then covered in a timely and appropriate manner
• Providing accurate forecasts, ensuring management are aware of any significant changes in a timely manner

Candidates are not always expected to have all the skills required when they start the job, attitude itself goes a long way, but the role will provide the successful candidate the opportunity to learn all aspects.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of four years agency experience
• Previous creative agency experience is preferred and will benefit you in the role
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Exceptional organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities
• Meticulous attention to detail
• A delivery focus, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Experience managing multiple client stakeholders and external suppliers
• Good financial management skills
• Interest in current technology and future trends
• Team player
• A great attitude

Above all, the successful candidate to join Orchard will be someone who has a strong work ethic driven by creative passion, positive energy and thrives on challenges, alongside a desire to grow with the company!