Account Manager

Description:

Our Account Manager role is best suited for a proven leader with a track record of building, leading and growing client relationships, achieving top-tier media and influencer coverage, and developing integrated strategies across media relations, influencer relations, organic and paid social media, content strategy, thought leadership and crisis communications. This role requires a daily balance of strategic thinking, team leadership, client service excellence and project management. At Belle, this role maps to our Manager career level, where you’ll own the strategy and results for your client portfolio and lead others in delivering it. You’ll also be evaluated on your ability to consistently demonstrate our Core Belle-iefs:

Our Core Belle-iefs

1. Think BIG: Innovate and strategize.

2. Communicate. Communicate. Communicate.

3. Be a team player.

4. Enthusiasm: Bring it.

5. Never stop learning.

6. Adapt to get results.

7. Care.

The Account Manager role is integral to the growth of our agency and clients, providing strategic leadership across a portfolio of client accounts and the account teams who support them. This role is best suited for a highly detailed self-starter with previous agency experience who thrives in a fast-paced, remote work environment.

As Account Manager, you will be primarily responsible for the strategy, growth and day-to-day management of the client accounts you lead, from project management and team oversight to measurement and goal setting, ensuring PR, influencer marketing, social media and content initiatives align with client business goals and maximize ROI. You’ll also stay ahead of industry trends within public relations and client industries, guide your account teams toward coverage and growth goals, and contribute strategic recommendations that build client thought leadership across traditional and digital marketing channels.

Primary Responsibilities:

Account Management

• Oversee the development and execution of client annual and project-based campaigns, staffing and budgets
• Ensure clients receive highly relevant, results-driven monthly reporting clearly tying our strategy and tactics to their business goals
• Manage, review and approve team deliverables on a daily and as needed basis
• Manage our work and team in line with the client’s scope of work and investment
• Ensure the account teams you lead make each client feel like one of our only clients through superior client service, attention to detail and the clear demonstration of our Core Belle-iefs

Strategy

• Oversee and lead the creation of PR, influencer, social media and content strategies for your clients, including ideation, timelines, goal setting, measurement and tactical execution
• Ensure all public relations, social media and content tactics support each client’s campaign goals, brand and business objectives
• Guide the development of content strategies that align editorial, social and thought leadership efforts with client business goals
• Ensure your clients receive ideas, trend insight and/or competitive research weekly to position Belle as a true partner, stay front-of-mind, keep communication open and ensure we are consistently adding value for each client partner

Media Relations + Thought Leadership

• Consistently achieve top-tier national, regional and trade media opportunities for multiple clients to ensure client hit goals are achieved monthly and throughout overall campaign
• Develop relationships with key top-tier/ “Wish List” media and regularly share new media contacts and opportunities with Belle staff
• Demonstrate a solid track record of regularly placing media results on behalf of clients, showcasing a strong ROI for the client
• Successfully plan, manage and execute media-related projects such as media tours, press trips or special events

• Demonstrate creativity by leading group brainstorms, developing new story ideas, and providing strategic recommendations on media relations approaches
• Lead, coach and support account teams to ensure monthly and campaign client hit goals are achieved
• Identify and execute speaking engagement opportunities, award submissions and other thought leadership initiatives that build client industry recognition
• Review and approve talking points, fact sheets, speaker decks and award submissions on behalf of your client accounts

Organic + Paid Social Media

• Oversee organic and paid social media strategy across client accounts, ensuring alignment with broader account and business goals
• Manage paid social budgets, including planning, allocation and performance optimization across platforms
• Draft and refine post copy that reflects each client's brand voice and campaign objectives
• Create simple graphics and visual assets using tools like Canva to support organic and paid content
• Maintain working knowledge of all mainstream social media platforms and how each fits into a client's strategy
• Deliver reporting across each platform, translating performance data into clear takeaways and recommendations
• Understand industry benchmarks and apply platform-specific best practices and nuance to maximize results
• Stay up to date on industry trends and platform/algorithm changes, adjusting strategy and tactics accordingly
• Provide advice and counsel on measurement for digital and social campaigns

Influencer Marketing

• Develop influencer marketing strategy aligned with client goals and target audiences
• Manage influencer partnerships from beginning to end, including:
  • Researching and identifying potential influencers
  • Vetting influencers for brand and audience fit
  • Negotiating contracts, deliverables and budgets
  • Reporting on partnership performance and results
• Stay up to date on industry trends and platform changes that affect influencer strategy and execution

Crisis Communications

• Lead the development of client crisis communication plans, proactively identifying risk areas and preparing clients and account teams to respond
• Serve as a primary point of counsel during time-sensitive or crisis situations, providing clients with thoughtful, strategic guidance
• Coach and support account teams in executing crisis response plans, escalating to senior leadership as needed

Business Development

• Oversee renewal and expansion proposals for clients, proactively contributing annual strategy and innovation recommendations to clients
• Play a leadership role in the sales process by identifying organic growth opportunities, assisting with RFP responses, presentations, etc. with supervision and approval from senior leadership

Team Leadership

• Provide constructive guidance and mentoring to team members in the areas of public relations, influencer relations, social media, creative strategy and client service to help them grow within the agency as public relations professionals
• Lead the interviewing, training, mentoring and evaluation of prospective and current team members - includes goal-setting, evaluations and contributing to conversations around team member advancement
• Monitor trends and changes relevant to our clients’ industries and Belle’s services. Assist in educating the Belle team and your account teams on those trends

Core Competencies for AM Role

• Directs Work - Provides clear direction, delegates effectively and removes obstacles to get work done, determining the right level of oversight for each project and team member.
• Develops Talent - Provides guidance, coaching and feedback to help team members strengthen their skills and grow within the agency; contributes to hiring, onboarding and performance evaluation decisions.
• Manages Conflict - Handles conflict situations effectively and with minimal noise, finding common ground and balancing differing perspectives among clients and team members.
• Persuades - Uses compelling arguments and data to gain the support and commitment of clients, team members and agency leadership.
• Plans and Aligns - Sets objectives and prioritizes work to align client and team goals with broader agency strategy, anticipating obstacles and adjusting as needed.

KPI’s

• Responds to internal and external messages and emails within 4 hours (based on office hours)
• Meets or exceeds all deadlines
• Provides timely and proactive communication on the status of tasks
  • Communicates about the status of work ahead of task due dates
  • Provides daily communication on the status of projects/tasks
• Independently leads 4-5 accounts, serving as the primary client contact and overseeing strategy, deliverables and goal achievement
• Oversees and guides account teams by reviewing deliverables, providing feedback and managing roles and responsibilities to ensure timely and effective delivery
• Identifies additional growth opportunities for existing clients
• Monitors project scope to ensure client expectations and deliverables stay within agreed parameters, preventing scope creep and overservicing
• Achieves high retention and organic growth with current clients
• Contributes to client satisfaction scores of 90% or above
• Contributes to achieving 80%+ rate of weekly client hits or meaningful touchpoints
• Monthly/weekly opportunities and hit goals are achieved for each client account you lead
• Shares ideas and resources with your clients weekly
• Provides proactive counsel on crisis communications matters, guiding your team’s response and escalating to senior leadership as needed
• Regularly brings ideas for how to innovate and improve outcomes for your clients and team
• Leads and develops your team members through consistent coaching, feedback and goal-setting

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Marketing, Communication or related field
• Experience in the food, restaurant, hospitality and/or complex B2B industries
• 6-8 years' experience leading client accounts in an agency setting
• Proven ability to consistently secure top-tier results within national, trade, and regional media

• Experience managing teams and/or individual direct reports
• Demonstrated ability to grow and manage multiple client accounts, spearhead strategic planning and exceed campaign goals
• Experience developing and executing organic and paid social media strategies and content plans
• Experience managing influencer marketing campaigns and partnerships
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to lead and motivate a team
• Organized and adaptable, with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple time-sensitive projects across a portfolio of accounts
• Strategic thinker who consistently brings new ideas and creative solutions

Preferred:

• Experience developing and executing crisis communications plans
• Experience with new business development, including RFP responses and pitch presentations
• Experience with content strategy across earned, social and owned channels
• Familiarity with Google Analytics and social media advertising platforms

Belle Life

Belle Communication is a woman-owned and led, award-winning digital PR, influencer, social media and creative strategy firm. Founder Kate Finley launched the agency with the vision to empower meaningful work and thriving relationships. Now with a team spanning the U.S., Belle fuels brands that want fresh ideas and fast results, with creative communication strategies for now and next. The agency has received numerous awards for client campaigns and has been recognized as a top place to work by Inc., PRWeek and PR News.

Specializing in foodservice and B2B, Belle has partnered with more than 80 brands including IDEAL Industries, Golden Waffles, Reconomy, Shake Shack, Nestlé and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams to reach target audiences through mass awareness and hyper-local activations.

At Belle, we are intentional about the culture we create. We keep our Core Belle-iefs front of mind to ensure we live out what it means to thrive in both work and life. Our culture is cultivated with the contribution of each team member’s thoughts, words and actions. We are each accountable and hold each other accountable in our communication, teamwork and candor.

Belle Communication believes in the value of a diverse workplace. We strive for and encourage a diverse, equitable and inclusive team in all things we do. Learning about different perspectives makes us better people - for each other and for our clients - as we seek to understand others' experiences. Diversity, equity and inclusion are an important part of our culture and Core Belle-iefs.

Belle Communication is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, sex, gender, age, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by the law.

Benefits

• Work from home with occasional travel, approximately 3-5 overnight trips per year
• Flexible PTO with encouraged minimums that increase with tenure
• Company-funded health reimbursement benefit (QSEHRA) for eligible individual health insurance premiums and qualified medical expenses, up to the annual allowance
• Dental, vision, life and accident insurance plans
• Two weeks’ paid company closure at year-end
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Annual home office allowance
• Short-term disability insurance
• Annual team retreat
• Paid sabbatical leave every 7 years