Account Manager - West

Company Overview

Reinventing out-of-home planning and placement for the performance age. Billups is the leading independent out-of-home (OOH) specialist in North America and is continuing to grow in the EMEA and APAC regions. Delivering OOH managed services globally, helping advertisers and agencies strengthen media performance through our patented analytics and measurement platform. Our mission is to transform the power of places to connect brands with their consumers.

Summary

The Client Team (comprising Client Services and Client Development functions) undertakes a wide range of responsibilities in driving Billupsʼ business forward, developing and nurturing client and partner relationships. As part of our Client Services function, the Account Manager role collaborates closely with reports, peers, Senior Account Manager(s), Account Director(s) and Senior Account Director(s) in:

Media Planning & Buying:

• Effectively manage clients and proactively contribute to growing client and agency business.

• Ensuring a thorough understanding of your clients strategies, objectives, and the KPIs Billups must deliver for them.

• Support the Client Development function with the creation of, or access to, materials or content.

• Continue developing your strategic writing skills, working alongside managers will assist and support in writing strategies for larger client opportunities. Ensure media plans are being delivered by direct reports with basic objectives and rationale.

• Receive direct oversight from the Account Director to begin challenging briefs, infuse strategic thinking, showcase the ability to utilize tools and systems to support the planning process, and articulate media rationale and storytelling.

• Develop comprehensive media plans that effectively utilize client budgets to achieve optimal results, working with SAM/AD/BD on strategic approach, insights, and rationale. Review and approve media-related contracts as necessary, ensuring compliance with agency standards and client expectations.

• Responsible for independently and proactively leading the end-to-end planning process, ownership of accounts, client deliverables, and day-to-day management of your clients, including resolution of any campaign issues or discrepancies across your clients.

• Mid to large level plan/project development/ownership, negotiations, building media owner and client relationships, managing client relationships with high-level oversight from line manager.

Project Management:

• Manage shared file drives, to ensure documents and content are saved in the relevant folders. Regularly updating client and media vendor documents and folders within our directory.

• Responsible for ensuring the timely activation of media campaigns (for your SAE and below) - tracking campaign start dates and ensuring everything is ready to go live on time; liaising with relevant vendors to manage artwork delivery and approval processes.

• Manage campaign reporting for your clients - accessing ʻProof of Posting (POP)ʼ and Campaign Attribution, ensuring this is received by clients and/or their agencies in a timely fashion.

• Drive consistency in our work through self and team adoption of the appropriate templates and guidelines. Delivering operational excellence as an individual and with your team.

• Juggle multiple project deadlines without compromising quality.

• Oversight and coordination of calendars to arrange team meetings or presentations.

• Strong Adoption and understanding of required tools and systems.

Thought Leadership:
• Develop and grow your industry knowledge plus that of your line reports through meeting and event attendance, accessing company training, conducting site visits, and engaging with billupsʼ communication platforms. Sharing knowledge and best practices across the wider team and business.

• Advocate and implement Billupsʼ regional mission/vision/purpose, strategies, and services, across your clients.

• Attend and contribute to wider company initiatives, including new business pitches, social events, town halls, etc.

• Stay up to date on the OOH media landscape and demonstrate a knowledgeable opinion on client and supplier news and activity.

Business Development:

• Work to develop and convert new business opportunities, collaborating closely across relevant departments and with team leadership and Client Development colleagues in doing so.

• Help your SAM(s) and AD(s) identify ways of delivering organic and diversified revenue growth, developing and converting new business opportunities, and establishing target plans against key accounts and categories.

• Action regional business planning needs as assigned by team leadership.

• Maintain a deep understanding and utilization of vendor relationships and client gross and team margin goals, oversight of junior level staff for utilization.

• Help identify, secure and execute meetings with prospects and leads, collaborating closely with Client Development function colleagues in doing so.

Professionalism and Compliance:

• Comply with all company and departmental policies and procedures. Following process, and enhancing this as needed, to ensure quality consistency. Adopting tools and systems as required; contributing to their development and deployment as required, including participating in requirement definition and testing periods.

• Timely completion of all assigned company training.

• Lead by example and operate internally and externally with professionalism at all times.

Team Leadership Duties:
• Directly supervise and lead assigned Assistants, Account Executives, and Senior Account Executives within the client services team. Responsibilities are carried out in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.

• Provide ongoing training and development to team members, ensuring they are equipped to meet and exceed expectations.

• Facilitate the smooth integration of new hires by overseeing their onboarding and training, introducing them to Billups and their team, and providing essential company information. Monitor their progress and adjust their training as necessary to ensure successful acclimation.

• Plan, assign, and direct work; monitor workflow and adjust assignments as necessary to maintain productivity.

• Conduct regular 1:1 meetings with direct reports, offering clear, actionable, and constructive feedback to promote professional growth and address areas for improvement. Demonstrate capability in identifying underperformance issues, providing targeted coaching, problem-solving, and implementing performance improvement plans to elevate team members back to optimal performance levels.

• Champion organizational change initiatives within the team, facilitating the adoption of new processes and technologies that enhance efficiency and productivity. Guide team members through changes, providing support and training to ensure a smooth transition.

• Act as a proactive problem-solver who can swiftly identify challenges and devise effective solutions. Demonstrate flexibility in approach and adaptability in changing environments to lead the team toward successful outcomes.

• Ensure clear, consistent, and effective communication within the team and across organizational lines. Facilitate regular meetings and reports to ensure transparency and mutual understanding of project statuses, team goals, and organizational changes.

• Effectively manage and resolve conflicts within the team, ensuring a productive work environment.

• Establish and communicate clear goals for the team that align with the organization's objectives and develop strategic plans to achieve these goals efficiently.

• Foster a collaborative environment and organize team-building activities to enhance morale.

• Stay up to date with Billupsʼ policies and procedures. Maintain compliance with legal standards and procedures and ensure a safe working environment.

• Identify and develop potential future leaders, ensuring smooth transitions and continued operations.

• Cultivate an inclusive work environment where every team member feels valued. Implement practices that promote belonging and ensure all voices are heard, fostering collaboration amongst the team.

• Model the standards of professionalism, work ethic, and integrity expected of team members. Demonstrate the behaviors and attitudes that align with the company’s values and culture, inspiring the team to emulate these practices in their own work

• All people managers must follow and adhere to the requirements outlined in the Managers Essential Guide.

• Other duties as assigned by Senior Account Managers, Account Director(s) and leadership

Qualifications

Ability to perform essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of employee or others. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties.

Required Media Experience: 3 - 5 years:
• A growing knowledge of the OOH media landscape, including client and supplier news and activity.

• Experience delivering the highest standards of client service levels. A growth mindset with the confidence to apply this within your work.

• Experience in negotiating pricing and booking campaigns.

• Reasoning: the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. The ability to analyze and data in order to identify and present meaningful observations and recommendations.

• The ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, percentages, area. Being able to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

• Some experience using various applications including database, spreadsheet, report writing, project management, graphics, word processing, presentation creation/editing, email communication and CRM software.

• The desire to grow yourself, your line reports, and Billupsʼ business.

Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) from four-year college or university; or 3-5 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in media and/or advertising is required. Strong knowledge of OOH Industry and OOH Media Strategies, preferred.

Financial Competencies:

• Maintain accuracy across all necessary financial documents (plans, decks, media authorizations).

Produce and distribute all client media authorizations.

• Maintain knowledge of the Billups billing process in order to avoid/resolve any discrepancies.

• Work with AD/BD and the Investment team to drive the negotiation process across multiple markets and media supplier buys to maximize client budgets.

• Work with AD/BD to maintain accurate budget trackers and forecasting for assigned accounts, agencies, and brands.