Essence Ventures was established with the goal to articulate through experiences, media, technology, and commerce, that Black is not a monolith. Essence exists to serve Black Women deeply through culture, equity and celebration — encouraging and equipping them to embrace the power of their roles standing at the forefront of their lives, homes, and communities. We accomplish this mission and vision through our incredible and distinct brands: ESSENCE Communications, Inc. (ESSENCE, Girls’ United), AFROPUNK and ESSENCE Studios.
As the Director, Integrated Account Management – you will play a pivotal role in leading and managing our account management team to ensure exceptional client satisfaction and revenue growth. You will be responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships with key clients, serving as their trusted advisor and driving strategic account strategies. Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, you will develop and execute account plans that align with client goals and objectives.
Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
- Lead and mentor the integrated account management team, fostering a culture of excellence and client-centricity while promoting collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement.
- Serve as the lead point of contact for all clients, building and nurturing trusted, long-lasting relationships.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including sales, marketing, ad operations, experiential/events, and product development, to develop and execute account strategies that align with client goals and objectives.
- Conduct regular business reviews with clients to assess performance, identify areas for improvement, and present strategic recommendations.
- Manage the account planning process, ensuring timely and successful delivery of client projects and initiatives.
- Monitor account health, proactively identifying potential risks and issues while implementing effective mitigation strategies.
- Drive revenue generation through upselling and cross-selling opportunities, maximizing account profitability.
- Stay updated on industry trends, market dynamics, and the competitive landscape to identify emerging opportunities and drive innovation within client accounts.
- Accurately manage client billing, revenue and activity forecasting, performance guarantees, and annual budget/contract renewals.
- Provide regular reports to clients on budget, delivery timelines, activities, evaluations, program/product/service recommendations, and strategic plans.
- Communicate client needs in a timely and effective manner to the sales team and other relevant departments.
- Track projects through completion and implementation, interacting with internal operations or similar groups to ensure on-time delivery of all projects.
- Assist with accounts receivable collection efforts and manage relationships with key research and measurement partners related to campaigns.
- Develop and grow productive relationships with prominent clients, cultivating and overseeing the implementation of revenue-generating opportunities and maintaining a strong knowledge of the client’s business objectives and market dynamics.
- Collaborate with senior leadership and finance personnel to develop the account management team’s vision and strategy to meet sales quotas.
- Perform all responsibilities in a professional manner, aligning with the company’s mission and goals.
Experience and Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field
- 7+ years of work experience in account management or client services roles with at least 5 in a media company or media agency
- Strong leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a team and help the team prioritize workload
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills –this is a client facing role
- Strategic thinker with a deep understanding of client needs and the ability to translate them into actionable plans and solutions
- Demonstrated experience in driving revenue growth and achieving sales targets
- Strong business acumen and analytical skills, with the ability to leverage data and insights to inform decision-making and drive results
- Proven ability to navigate complex client organizations, build trust, and influence key stakeholders
- Experience in managing large-scale, complex client portfolios with diverse needs and requirements
- Familiarity with industry-specific tools and technologies used in account management and client relationship management
- Must be able to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 lbs
- Requires prolonged periods of sitting, standing and walking throughout the workday, including during meetings, site visits (if applicable), or operational tasks.
- May involve occasional travel to which could include extended periods away from the primary workplace (if applicable and approved).
- East Coast based (This position does not offer relocation assistance. Candidates must be local)
- Hybrid role (3 min. days in office required)
Salary: 120k to 140k
Full suite of benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, EAP, 401k)