Creative Manager jobs in Monterey, CA

Position Title: Account Manager

Reports to: Director Client Services

As the client’s first and foremost point of contact, the AM is many things to many people. Whether you are saving the day, herding the cats, putting out fires or lending an ear and commiserating, the AM is ultimately the client’s go-to who makes sure the client is delighted and has what they need. The role requires a love of people, exceptional communication, killer organization skills, mental flexibility and the ability to juggle all the balls.

At the end of the day, the AM job can be summed up in these four goals:

• Cultivate loyal client relationships and become a trusted partner
• Empower the creative team to do their best work
• Achieve the best outcome for client
• Contribute to achievement of agency and department goals

These are lofty goals. We accomplish them in a million tiny ways through a variety of everyday activities and remembering the Waltz mantras in everything we do. Every client and every project is different, but the same fundamental approach leads to the best results no matter the circumstances.

We cultivate loyal client relationships and become a trusted partner when we:

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key client stakeholders at all levels
• Delight clients with the very best service they can imagine
• Offer creative and strategic input to propose the right solutions for the project
• Deliver excellent work on time and on budget
• Communicate both good and bad news with tact and aplomb
• Confidently present ideas and lead meetings and conversations
• Underpromise and overdeliver
• Keep a smile on our face and treat clients the way we would hope to be treated if we were in their shoes

We achieve the best outcome for the client when we:

• Take the time to learn and understand the client’s business and objectives
• Collaborate, communicate and work as a team
• Keep clients updated on project status and make sure they are happy with how the work is progressing
• Act as a liaison between the client and the creative team to ensure the client's needs and are being met on every project
• Shepherd each project through the creative department and ensure they are on brand and on brief from concept to delivery
• Never stop improving by keeping an open mind, learning new things and staying in touch with traditional and non-traditional marketing trends
• Remember that we succeed when our clients succeed

We empower the creative team to do their best work when we:

• Give projects direction and maintain a clear strategy
• Provide strategic input to develop, coordinate and/or write a detailed creative brief for each project
• Project manage campaigns across the full marketing mix, ensuring they are on point from concept to delivery
• Lead kick-off meetings with the client and/or design team at the onset of each project
• Stay organized, make sure the team has everything they need to do the work and get answers or missing items quickly
• Remember we are all on the same team and working towards the same goals

We contribute to achievement of agency and department goals when we:

• As part of the team, prepare for and participate in new business presentations and pitch fresh and innovative solutions to clients/prospects
• Meet with potential clients and explain the merits of Waltz Creative
• Take care of our own business by meeting deadlines and staying on top of key responsibilities such as:
• Track and submit a weekly log of billable time
• Monitor budgets, changes of scope and general client/project information using agency project management system (Function Point)
• Complete projects in a timely manner and review financials before invoicing
• Embody the Waltz mantras and put forth our best effort every day

The Skills:

In addition to the “soft” people skills, Account Managers must be organized and possess a wide range of abilities and experience, including:

• Significant experience in professional client relationship management
• Confidence to work as an authoritative figure in a busy team
• Solid background in advertising, design or marketing
• Experience in print, web, advertising, digital and social campaigns
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Effective team management capabilities
• Ability to build a budget and work in spreadsheets
• Ability to keep track of the nuances of many projects and clients, shifting priorities, etc.

The Tools:

The Account Manager will use a variety of typical programs used by marketing and branding agencies. Not familiar with all of them? No sweat, we’ll teach you:

• Microsoft Office
• Google Suite
• Adobe Acrobat
• Project Management/Collaboration tools
• Database Management programs
• Customer Relationship Management
• SEO Tools
• Survey Products
• Inbound and Outbound Marketing Platforms
• Billing Programs
• Marketing/Webinar Tools
• Research Services

The Benefits:

• 2 weeks vacation plus paid sick time
• 10 paid holidays
• Hybrid work model
• 100% medical, dental, vision premiums for employee
• Simple IRA matching program

The Details (aka the boring, but necessary stuff):

Education and Training:

A bachelor's degree and a minimum of five years experience in the field, as a marketing professional, project manager, account manager, or account executive. Agency experience preferred.

Common Misconceptions:

Account Managers are often confused as members of the creative team. However, AMs do not design the materials. Their job is to manage the client relationship and act as the key contact between the client and the agency.

Physical Demands:

This position spends up to 50% of time standing, walking, talking, listening, and reaching with hands or arms, and may be required to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.

This position spends most of the time using the mouse and focusing on the computer screen.

This position has the following vision requirements:

• Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less)
• Color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors)
• Depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships)
• Ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus)
• View computer monitor for extended periods (up to 8 hours)

Noise levels: Moderate noise (Examples: business office with computers, printers, telephones, light foot traffic)

Employment Status:

This position qualifies as full-time, exempt.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Experience level:

• 4 years

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Travel requirement:

• No travel

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• San Juan Bautista, CA 95045 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• San Juan Bautista, CA 95045: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in San Juan Bautista, CA 95045