Account Manager

Dentsu; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 72,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, and dental insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401k

Flexible paid time off

15+ paid holidays

Paid sick and safe leave

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Merkle is seeking an Account Manager in Chicago to support client success through coordination, execution, and effective communication. The role spans multiple client relationships, requiring organization and proactive problem-solving.

You will learn Merkle processes, assist with forecasting, and help keep projects moving with timely updates and collaborative teamwork. A Bachelor’s degree and 3–5 years of relevant experience are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 3–5 years of experience in client services, account management, project coordination, agency, or relevant client-side work.
• Experience working with cross-functional and/or remote teams.
• Foundational project management skills with strong organization, follow-through, and attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Client-service mindset with the ability to build relationships and respond professionally to client and internal needs.
• Ability to identify issues, ask thoughtful questions, and escalated complex or sensitive issues appropriately to leadership.
• Self-motivated, collaborative, solution-oriented, highly ethical, and eager to learn.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and adapting to change.
• Developing presentation, storytelling, and insight delivery skills.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day account operations, including client communications, meeting coordination, follow-ups, and internal team alignment.
• Learn, follow, and apply Merkle operational processes, including Salesforce account reviews, account maps, account health updates, and forecast support.
• Help manage assigned tasks, deadlines, and account updates with strong organization, attention to detail, and follow-through.
• Identify potential issues, risks, or client concerns and escalated appropriately to account leadership, project leads, or cross-functional partners.
• Partner with Project Managers, Project Leads, and delivery teams to understand timelines, deliverables, change requests, proposals, and open items.
• Support revenue forecasting, opportunity updates, operational reporting, and business review preparation.
• Communicate clearly and timely with internal teams and clients regarding project progress, next steps, and decisions needed.
• Contribute to positive client experiences by anticipating needs, tracking action items, and helping ensure timely follow-through.

Skills

Client services

Account management

Project coordination

Cross-functional teams

Written and verbal communication

Stakeholder management

Problem escalation

Time management

Attention to detail

Learning mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Job Description: Merkle is a leading data-driven, technology-enabled global performance marketing agency specializing in personalized customer experiences across platforms and devices. For more than 30 years, Fortune 1000 companies and leading nonprofit organizations have partnered with Merkle to maximize the value of their customer portfolios. We are looking for an Account Manager to support client success through strong day-to-day coordination, operational execution, and internal and external communication. This role supports client account teams across industries by helping ensure work is moving forward, client needs are understood, and internal teams are aligned. The Account Manager will support multiple client relationships or projects. This individual will learn and operate Merkle processes, support account operations, and partner with senior account leadership when client needs, escalations, or business decisions require additional guidance.

Key Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day account operations, including client communications, meeting coordination, follow-ups, and internal team alignment.
• Learn, follow, and apply Merkle operational processes, including Salesforce account reviews, account maps, account health updates, and forecast support.
• Help manage assigned tasks, deadlines, and account updates with strong organization, attention to detail, and follow-through.
• Identify potential issues, risks, or client concerns and escalated appropriately to account leadership, project leads, or cross-functional partners.
• Partner with Project Managers, Project Leads, and delivery teams to understand timelines, deliverables, change requests, proposals, and open items.
• Support revenue forecasting, opportunity updates, operational reporting, and business review preparation.
• Communicate clearly and timely with internal teams and clients regarding project progress, next steps, and decisions needed.
• Contribute to positive client experiences by anticipating needs, tracking action items, and helping ensure timely follow-through.

People & Teams

• Build strong working relationships with internal teams, client contacts, and account leadership.
• Support an organized, collaborative, and energized internal account team environment.
• Engage with clients by providing updates, capturing needs, and escalating questions or concerns when appropriate.
• Contribute positively to team culture, morale, and day‑to‑day collaboration.
• Build trust through reliable execution, responsiveness, and attention to detail.
• Continue building technical skills, business acumen, and account management capability through training, coaching, and hands‑on experience.

Business Operations & Account Support

• Develop a working understanding of revenue recognition, billing, invoicing, forecasting, and financial processes.
• Support invoice tracking, payment follow‑ups, financial reporting, and account health needs in partnership with Finance and account leadership.
• Help review time allocations, project financials, and report outputs to identify questions, risks, or follow‑ups.
• Listen to client needs and share potential risks, opportunities, or growth areas with account leadership.
• Support SOW renewals, change orders, and proposal development by coordinating inputs, timelines, and internal reviews.
• Assist with research, account planning, market intelligence, and materials that support client growth or account planning.

Key Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 3–5 years of experience in client services, account management, project coordination, agency, or relevant client‑side work.
• Experience working with cross‑functional and/or remote teams.
• Foundational project management skills with strong organization, follow‑through, and attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Client‑service mindset with the ability to build relationships and respond professionally to client and internal needs.
• Ability to identify issues, ask thoughtful questions, and escalated complex or sensitive issues appropriately to leadership.
• Self‑motivated, collaborative, solution‑oriented, highly ethical, and eager to learn.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment and adapting to change.
• Developing presentation, storytelling, and insight delivery skills.

Additional Information

The annual salary range for this position is $72,000 - $85,000. Placement within the salary range is based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and other factors permitted by law.

Benefits

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Short‑term and long‑term disability insurance
• 401k
• Flexible paid time off
• At least 15 paid holidays per year
• Paid sick and safe leave
• Paid parental leave

Location: Chicago - N. State Brand: Merkle Time Type: Full time Contract Type: Permanent

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