Accounts Manager

PLP Group; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 446,400 - 669,600; Full time

Job summary

PLP Group seeks an experienced Account Manager to manage key agency accounts and ensure deliverables meet client expectations. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong account management and project management skills, ideally with 5+ years' agency experience. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with teams across digital, PR, and advertising to drive successful outcomes for clients in Johannesburg, South Africa. Positive attitude, creative problem-solving, and the ability to thrive under pressure are essential.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience in account management in an agency.
• Ability to manage multiple clients and campaigns without dropping a ball.
• Strong project management skills, capable of ensuring projects stay on budget.

Responsibilities

• Manage key agency accounts from strategy to implementation.
• Develop campaign plans and strategies, managing deliverables.
• Brief and communicate with creative and digital teams on campaigns.

Skills

Project management

Account management

Analytical skills

Creative thinking

Communication skills

Education

Tertiary qualification

Tools

Social media platforms

Magnetic

Everlytic

Job description

Overview:

• Understand complex business problems and apply strategic and design thinking to them


• Consult to clients and advise them on the correct brand and communication solutions for their unique businesses


• Inspire the digital and creative teams to conceptualise and execute world class work

Have an amazing knowledge of:

• Web and social media


• Work across the business – with development, design, management, suppliers and clients


• Able to think for yourself and can function with ambiguity


• Capable of surviving periods of high pressure without melting down


• In possession of an attitude that is positive and proactive.


• A brilliant project manager who can work on multiple clients and campaigns at the same time without dropping a ball


• Qualified in marketing or communication


• Experienced in account management and have been working in an agency for at least 5 years


• Sensitive to the commercial aspect of business and can keep projects on budget and within deadline


• Clear and decisive with your feedback and guidance to your teammates


• Committed to managing people and enjoy it


• A big picture kind of person


• Above everything, solution orientated

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Management of key agency accounts, from strategy to implementation


• Management of client relationships


• Briefing, communication and expectation management


• Development of campaign plans, strategies and implementation of calendars


• Management, co‑ordination and implementation of account deliverables


• Reporting on clients, campaign deliverables and preparation of account status reports


• Specific channel management for the following


• Advertising budget management and allocation


• Content plan and schedule creation


• Reporting and analysis


• Updates and testing


• Schedule regular SEO and, where applicable, PPC campaign management and reviews


• Identify new business opportunities within existing client accounts


• Brief the creative and digital teams on campaigns, prepare creative reviews and provide creative direction


• Management and implementation of campaigns across all services provided by the agency to clients, i.e. digital, PR, advertising, branding, internal campaigns, etc


• Pro‑active identification of campaign ideas, concepts, industry trends and opportunities


• Management and reporting on client deliverables and agency contractual obligations, including time sheets, monthly reports, status reports, etc.


• Manage deadlines and deliverables – both internally and externally


• Financial co‑ordination of clients and suppliers ensuring correct quotes, billings with admin/finance, assisting with payment follow up (when required), etc.


• Clear understanding of through‑the‑line solutions offered by the agency and how they can be applied to meet client requirements and their business objectives


• Ensure clients are getting the best results from the agency and that there are adequate resources allocated towards profitable delivery of projects


• Ensure that your direct line manager is kept up to date and abreast of all projects and work status


• A good holistic view of client accounts and how specific initiatives will impact on overall goals is imperative


• A mature and accountable outlook toward the execution of project deliverables is a non‑negotiable

Skill Profile:

• Extensive knowledge of social media platforms


• Excellent verbal and writing skills


• Strong evaluation and analytical skills


• Innovative and creative thinking combined with an ability to follow process


• Dynamic and enthusiastic


• Enthusiasm and eagerness to learn


• Ability to make decisions


• Professional attitude and capability and personal initiative


• An ability to take full responsibility delivery of work of an expected quality


• An ability to mentor and manage a junior support resource and ensure their deadlines and deliverables are met

Knowledge and Experience:

• Tertiary qualification


• Understanding/knowledge of Magnetic and Everlytic (a plus)


• Experience in managing high profile clients and/or large projects (a plus)


• Mobile phone


• Reliable motor vehicle


• Professional business attire

Agency Spirit:

• Creates an environment where challenge is the norm


• Identifies, flags and addresses issues pro‑actively


• Pro‑actively identifies communication and new business opportunities within clients’ businesses


• Creative thinker to think outside the box and challenge the norm


• Is passionate and career‑orientated


• Presents positively in all that they do


• Self‑motivated and ability to work independently