Account Director - Toronto, Ontario | The Works Design Communications | FreshGigs.ca | 22/07/13
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Account Director full-time

Location: Toronto, Ontario
Company Name: The Works Design Communications ()
Category: Account/Project Mgmt
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The Works, a full-service corporate communications studio, is looking for an account director. You’re looking to work hard and smart in a fast-paced, high-pressure, and undeniably fun environment. You must have chutzpah, confidence, and super quick reflexes. And also be great at managing complex projects, advising senior-level clients, and guiding a talented creative team. No problem, right?

General Responsibilities

  • Maintain perspective over accounts and strategic directions of clients
  • Act as primary contact for clients; maintain communication and ensure we serve them in the best, most appropriate way
  • Facilitate discussion and decision-making at the top level of companies
  • Act as a liaison/consultant to executives and boards of directors
  • Research and get to know our clients’ industries inside and out, to be able to consult on strategies and objectives

Project Leadership

  • Prepare and lead design/project briefs
  • Help everyone stay on brief, on time and on budget
  • Manage internal teams: encourage cooperation, share information, facilitate decisions and inspire our best work
  • Work with Art Directors to guarantee that our designs match the client’s needs and expectations
  • Consult with clients on messaging and creative direction
  • Prepare quotes, estimates, proposals, schedules and invoices
  • Ensure we stick to our time estimates (adjusting where truly necessary); oversee studio scheduling; approve overtime
  • Lead client and internal meetings, presentations, etc.
  • Take responsibility for client approvals and sign-offs
  • Adjust projects’ scope and specifications as required, negotiate with clients to achieve understanding

Business Development

  • Participate in the preparation of new business proposals and presentations
  • Familiarize existing contacts with the range of our capabilities
  • Secure repeat business and enrich existing relationships
  • Expand business with existing clients to other departments; secure new business when client contacts move
  • Strategically expand our contact base
  • Attend regular sales meetings

Skills and experience

  • Minimum eight years’ experience managing multiple, simultaneous communications projects in a busy studio environment
  • History of success in contributing to business growth
  • Team leadership and supervisory skills
  • Significant experience as a lead client contact, especially in interaction with senior management executives (including C-suite)
  • Firm understanding of design principles and extensive familiarity with production techniques, both print and online
  • Building and managing complex, accurate budgets and good instincts in estimating costs
  • Excellent (clear, persuasive) professional verbal and writing (briefs, letters, presentations, proposals, etc.) skills

What qualities do you need to do the job well?

  • Collaborative by nature
  • Effective in talking people off ledges, i.e. a negotiator, problem-solver and calm under pressure
  • Comfortable with numbers
  • Confidence in discussing budgets with clients
  • Has the agility to listen, respond and react to different personalities in a room
  • Intelligent, level-headed
  • Likeable and sociable
  • Honest and candid
  • Self-assured and thick-skinned; doesn’t take things personally
  • Ability to give feedback in a cooperative, useful manner – has a good “bedside manner”
  • Ability to spot problems and find solutions quickly
  • A natural and confident leader
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