Head of Accounts - Integrated Marketing Services (IMS)

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Head of Accounts to lead and manage the account management team at a leading Integrated Marketing Services (IMS) agency. This strategic leadership role requires an individual who is passionate about marketing and brand strategy, possesses strong interpersonal skills, and has a deep understanding of the IMS landscape. As the Head of Accounts, you will play a crucial role in shaping client relationships, overseeing integrated marketing campaigns, and driving the agency’s growth.

This position is ideal for a senior marketing professional with a proven track record in managing client accounts, developing and executing integrated marketing strategies, and leading high-performing teams. You will be responsible for overseeing the full spectrum of account management activities, ensuring that clients receive exceptional service and results across all marketing channels, from digital and social media to traditional advertising, public relations, and experiential marketing.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Leadership & Team Management:

• Lead the Accounts Team: Supervise, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team of account managers, executives, and other support staff. Provide guidance to ensure they are fully aligned with client objectives, creative briefs, and campaign deliverables.
• Talent Development: Foster an environment of continuous learning and professional development within the account management team. Encourage training programs, team-building exercises, and individual coaching to enhance performance.
• Resource Allocation & Planning: Oversee the efficient allocation of team resources across accounts to maximize productivity and ensure that project deadlines are met.

2. Client Relationship Management:

• Client Account Ownership: Serve as the senior point of contact for all key client relationships. Be the client’s trusted advisor, proactively identifying opportunities to help them achieve their business goals through integrated marketing campaigns.
• Strategic Consultation: Work closely with clients to understand their brand vision, marketing objectives, and challenges. Provide strategic marketing insights and solutions, guiding them toward achieving their long-term goals.
• Client Satisfaction & Retention: Drive high levels of client satisfaction by consistently delivering outstanding service and exceeding expectations. Ensure that clients feel valued and well-served at all stages of the project.
• Business Development: Support the agency’s growth by identifying upsell and cross-sell opportunities within existing accounts. Lead new business pitches and proposals for potential clients in collaboration with senior leadership.

3. Integrated Marketing Campaign Development:

• Campaign Strategy & Execution: Oversee the development and execution of integrated marketing campaigns, ensuring they align with client objectives and deliver measurable results. These campaigns may span multiple channels, including digital (social media, SEO, paid media), traditional advertising (TV, radio, print), PR, content marketing, and experiential.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with other departments (creative, digital, media, strategy, and analytics) to ensure seamless integration and execution of marketing strategies. Facilitate collaboration between internal teams and client stakeholders to ensure that campaigns are executed smoothly.
• Innovation & Trends: Stay up-to-date on the latest trends in integrated marketing, digital advertising, and emerging technologies. Continuously seek new opportunities and innovative ideas to improve client campaigns and drive results.

4. Campaign Monitoring & Reporting:

• Performance Tracking: Oversee the tracking and measurement of campaign performance across various channels. Ensure that all KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) are tracked and analyzed in real-time to adjust strategies as needed.
• Data-Driven Insights: Provide clients with data-driven insights and reports that highlight campaign performance, areas of success, and opportunities for improvement. Use analytics to recommend optimizations for future campaigns.
• Budget Management: Ensure that campaigns are executed within the agreed-upon budgets. Monitor costs and return on investment (ROI) to ensure optimal financial management.

5. Brand Stewardship:

• Brand Strategy: Lead the development and execution of long-term brand strategies for clients. Ensure that all marketing activities align with the brand’s positioning, values, and identity.
• Creative Direction: Collaborate with the creative team to ensure that all deliverables maintain high creative standards while being aligned with the brand’s objectives and target audience.
• Consistency: Ensure consistent messaging across all marketing touchpoints, maintaining brand integrity in every campaign.

6. Stakeholder & Executive Communication:

• Internal Stakeholder Communication: Communicate effectively with senior management and other departments within the agency to ensure alignment on client priorities, campaign progress, and business objectives.
• External Stakeholder Communication: Engage with key stakeholders at client organizations, including senior executives, to align on strategic priorities, manage expectations, and resolve any issues that arise during campaign execution.
• Executive Presentations: Present key performance insights, updates, and proposals to senior clients and internal leadership teams.

7. Financial Oversight:

• P&L Responsibility: Own the profitability of the accounts under your management. Ensure that all projects are delivered on time and on budget while maximizing profitability.
• Contract Negotiations: Lead contract negotiations and renewals, ensuring mutually beneficial agreements are reached with clients while maintaining the integrity of the agency’s financial goals.

8. Risk Management & Conflict Resolution:

• Problem Solving: Identify potential issues and risks within accounts and take proactive steps to resolve them before they escalate. Be the go-to person for resolving client concerns and mitigating risks.
• Conflict Resolution: Manage and resolve any disputes that arise between clients and internal teams or between the agency and third-party vendors or partners.

Required Qualifications:

1. Experience:

• Minimum 8-10 years of experience in integrated marketing, account management, or client services, with at least 5 years in a leadership role . Experience in leading cross-functional teams, and managing both large and complex accounts is essential.
• Demonstrated success in managing integrated marketing campaigns across multiple channels, including digital marketing (social media, SEO, paid media), traditional advertising (print, TV, radio), and public relations.
• Experience in managing high-profile clients , with a proven ability to build long-term relationships and grow accounts.

2. Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Communications , or a related field. A Master’s degree in a related field is a plus.

3. Skills:

• Strong Leadership & Management Skills: Proven ability to lead and develop teams, manage multiple stakeholders, and deliver results.
• Strategic Thinker: Ability to develop innovative and comprehensive marketing strategies that align with client goals.
• Excellent Communication Skills: Both verbal and written. Ability to communicate effectively with internal teams, clients, and senior executives.
• Analytical Mindset: Strong proficiency in data analysis, reporting, and using analytics to drive decisions. Familiarity with marketing tools such as Google Analytics, HubSpot, Salesforce, etc.
• Creative Insight: Understanding of creative processes and ability to collaborate with design, creative, and digital teams to bring ideas to life.
• Budget & Financial Management: Proven experience managing marketing budgets and ensuring campaigns are delivered within financial parameters.
• Client Management: Excellent skills in managing client expectations, developing long-lasting relationships, and ensuring satisfaction.

4. Additional Qualities:

• Highly Organized: Ability to juggle multiple projects and deadlines while maintaining a high standard of work.
• Problem-Solver: Proactive in identifying issues and resolving them quickly and efficiently.
• Negotiation Skills: Experience in contract negotiation and managing financial discussions.
• Adaptability: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, changing environment and adapt strategies to meet evolving client needs.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in managing accounts in a variety of industries, including retail, tech, FMCG, or consumer goods .
• Experience with marketing automation tools , CRM platforms , and social media analytics .
• MBA or advanced degree in a relevant field.
• Experience with agency operations and client onboarding processes.

Benefits & Perks:

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
• Health and wellness benefits (medical, dental, vision).
• Generous vacation and paid time off.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Collaborative and inclusive work culture.
• Opportunity to work with high-profile clients and leading industry professionals.