Account Executive

The account executive is responsible for the organization and execution of projects from start to finish. Account executives work closely with the account team to maintain and track projects to ensure they move through Woodruff’s processes smoothly and efficiently. They identify issues, problem solve and implement improvements for efficiency and better outcomes. They manage scopes of work and client budgets. The account executive develops a deep understanding of our clients’ businesses. 

This person could be located in the Kansas City, MO, office; Columbia, MO, office; or remote. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

Account Management

• Accurately capture client conversation notes and create project input for internal teams. Clearly outline clients’ desired outcomes and POV to help Woodruff teams approach projects.
• Set clear expectations with clients and internal teams. Proactively identify and solve problems.
• Capture details, questions, next steps and timing from internal discussions and facilitate internal communication to ensure everyone is in lockstep. Organize information in a timely, clear and concise manner.
• Develop documents and communications that guide projects internally, including job input forms, kickoff and status documents, meeting notes and posts on Wrike, our project management software.
• Coordinate meetings, including: developing agendas, setting up calendar invitations and appropriate technology, securing rooms, recording notes, action items and next steps. Recap discussions through Wrike posts or other internal communications. Facilitate meetings when appropriate.
• Work with project managers to develop project timelines. Monitor progress from start to finish to ensure projects are moving through Woodruff’s processes smoothly.
• Contribute to job status reports. Lead status meetings with internal and external teams.
• Regularly update the account team and clients on the progress of each project. Understand workflows and help plan for additional projects as they come in.
• Review all work prior to sending or presenting to clients to ensure accuracy based on Woodruff teams’ and clients’ input.
• Review and proof media plans, and distribute insertion and materials’ due dates to internal teams.
• Develop and/or edit documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Enter information into a variety of formats such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Apps, Keynote, etc. Work with the team to ensure client and project information is organized and easily accessible.
• Contribute to agency projects as requested. Carry out action items assigned, follow through and report on outcomes to supervisor or other project stakeholders.

Client Relationships and Business Growth 

• Become familiar with clients’ business needs by researching their industries, competitors, products, technologies and trends. Understand clients’ internal structures, teams and individual needs as well as their personal preferences. Share this information with team members.
• Understand how clients take their products and/or services to market, and how Woodruff’s capabilities and services can help them.
• Regularly track and share client competitor activity, including media exposure and strategy, social media and online presence, e-commerce platforms, new products and changes within competitors’ business and industry.
• Work with the team to ensure client profiles are accurate and up-to-date.
• Work with the account manager or supervisor to prepare and present information, proposals, new ideas, issues and opportunities to clients.
• Understand clients’ businesses and be able to identify opportunities for clients to increase their use of Woodruff services.

Team Leadership and Internal Relationships

• Build rapport and trusting relationships with internal teams. Collaborate with multiple internal teams to ensure projects are delivered on time and reflect Woodruff and client standards.
• Use client profiles as well as other client information to help the account manager or supervisor onboard new internal team members to working on the clients’ business.
• Partner with internal teams to plan project size and workflows and ensure all aspects are accounted for when developing scopes, value, timeframes and pricing.

Financial Management of Accounts

• Support clients and internal teams in budgeting and planning discussions. Work with the account manager or supervisor on budget allocation based on client objectives and strategies.
• Work with the account manager or supervisor to develop scope of work and scope of value descriptions, and provide accurate and detailed information to develop pricing.
• Proactively communicate with internal teams and clients regarding project size and scope, expectations, deliverables, timing and price.
• Track and manage scopes of work; identify changes in scope and create change orders in partnership with the account lead and production.
• Review invoices, ensure billing schedules are followed and prepare explanations and recaps for clients.

Knowledge and Skills: 

• Extremely thorough with tremendous attention to detail
• Organized and able to manage significant amounts of information efficiently
• Willing to learn and seek information, ask questions and absorb information
• Collaborative and able to work with a variety of personalities, disciplines and roles
• An excellent listener who can put many different inputs into action
• Resourceful and flexible; able to execute with minimal direction, often on short-notice
• Follows processes but does not get paralyzed by them
• A proactive problem-solver; identifies solutions before problems escalate
• Understands clients’ businesses, industries, problems, opportunities and needs
• Contributes to go-to-market strategies, plans and budget discussions
• Effectively communicates to internal and external teams.

Leader Behaviors: 

How leaders act on a daily basis as they seek to implement the company’s vision and strategic priorities, strive to fulfill the brand promise and live up to the values. Everyone can be a leader.

• Open-minded and active listener
• Continually grows people and business
• Truthful and transparent
• Decisive and accountable
• Forward-thinking
• Proactive and communicates in a positive manner.

Education/Experience/Certification(s):

• 2-4 years of agency experience and a B.A. or B.S. degree
• A degree in a discipline related to advertising, marketing, journalism or communications is a plus.