Senior Account Manager

Cactus; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Cactus is seeking an experienced Account Manager in Denver to manage client relationships and lead projects. You will be responsible for driving the project lifecycle from briefing to execution, ensuring quality standards.

Ideal candidates have 4–6 years of agency experience, a BA/BS in a relevant field, and proven project management skills. The position offers a hybrid work model: 3 days in-office and 2 days remote.

Qualifications

• 4–6 years of relevant full‑service agency experience managing complex marketing projects and client relationships.
• Proven ability to independently manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Demonstrated track record as a team collaborator, motivator, and problem solver.

Responsibilities

• Manage relationships with senior-level clients confidence and minimal oversight.
• Own the full project lifecycle on assigned accounts from brief development to execution.
• Provide informed strategic guidance based on strong knowledge of clients' industries.

Skills

Client Relationship Management

Project Leadership

Strategic Thinking

Communication Skills

Operational Agility

Collaboration

Education

BA/BS degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or related field

Tools

Project Management Software

Workamajig

Basecamp

Monday.com

Job description

Founded in 1990, Cactus specializes in delivering creative and innovative solutions to tackle complex brand challenges. With over 35 years of experience, the agency partners with businesses in highly competitive and dynamic industries, such as healthcare, financial services, gaming, and outdoor sectors, to help them thrive amidst constant change. Cactus integrates strategy, creativity, and media to drive growth and deliver meaningful results for its clients. Based in Denver, CO, Cactus is passionate about collaborating with brands ready to overcome challenges and achieve their next level of success.

Core Responsibilities

• Client Partnership & Relationship Management
  • Serve as a primary day‑to‑day contact for senior‑level clients and agency partners, managing relationships with confidence and minimal oversight.
  • Build deep, trust‑based client relationships by demonstrating expertise, consistency, and genuine investment in their business success.
  • Ensure the highest standard of quality control across all agency services and deliverables on assigned accounts.
  • Secure client authorization — signed estimates and scopes of work — before initiating any project work.
• Project Leadership & Operational Excellence
  • Own the full project lifecycle on assigned accounts — from brief development through execution and final delivery — consistently on time and on budget.
  • Work closely with strategy and project management teams to develop marketing plans, campaign briefs, and project schedules.
  • Demonstrate expert knowledge of Cactus's capabilities, services, and internal processes, and actively contribute to building and improving agency best practices.
  • Manage location‑based productions and travel as required to ensure project execution meets agency and client standards.
• Industry & Category Intelligence
  • Develop strong, working knowledge of each client's industry, category, and competitive landscape — enough to provide informed strategic guidance and credible counsel.
  • Proactively bring relevant industry trends, competitive activity, and market insights to client conversations and internal planning.
  • Begin identifying organic growth opportunities by connecting client business challenges to agency capabilities, and presenting those connections to your supervisor or client with confidence.
• Financial Management & Fiscal Stewardship
  • Take full ownership of the fiscal health of assigned projects — reviewing PM‑developed budgets and scopes, tracking actuals meticulously, and escalating risks promptly.
  • Collaborate with Project Management to ensure estimates and scopes accurately reflect the work, flagging discrepancies and holding the team accountable to approved parameters.
  • Monitor change orders and scope creep on an ongoing basis, taking appropriate action to protect agency resources and client trust.
  • Participate actively in the billing process to ensure projects are accurately tracked, reconciled, and invoiced without delay.
• Team Collaboration & Emerging Leadership
  • Serve as a mentor to junior account staff, sharing knowledge generously and modeling the professional standards expected at Cactus.
  • Show up as an energizing, solutions‑oriented presence on every cross‑functional team — creative, strategy, media, and project management.
  • Act as a visible motivator and collaborator within the department, contributing to a team culture of accountability, craft, and mutual support.
  • Embody and model Cactus values: Passion, Courage, Tenacity, Collaboration, Respect, Critical Thought, Belonging, and Well‑Being.

Requirements

• Agency Experience: 4–6 years of relevant full‑service agency experience managing complex marketing projects and client relationships.
• Education: BA/BS degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field.
• Operational Agility: Proven ability to independently manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.
• Tool Proficiency: Proficiency in project management software and agency workflow tools (e.g., Workamajig, Basecamp, Monday.com, or similar).
• Collaboration: Demonstrated track record as a team collaborator, motivator, and problem solver.

Qualifications

• Independent Operator: Manages accounts and client relationships with confidence and minimal supervision; knows when to scale and when to own the solution.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to move beyond task execution to proactively identify growth opportunities and connect client challenges to agency solutions.
• Communication: Expert written and verbal communication skills — clear, persuasive, and appropriately assertive with clients and internal teams alike.
• Presence: Stays cool, calm, and collected under pressure while motivating those around them to do the same.
• Growth Mindset: Actively seeks to deepen industry knowledge, develop leadership skills, and grow toward the Account Supervisor level.

Salary Range

• $72,000 - $90,000, commensurate with experience.

This is a Denver based role with a 3 day in office, 2 day WFH schedule.