5+ years of experience required

• Austin (Headquarters), Denver, Nashville, Dallas, Houston, or San Antonio preferred
• If not based in Austin, TX - travel to Austin headquarters regularly

About Forefront

Forefront Networks produces large-scale public events, exclusive private events, and provides event services to corporate clients including sponsorship sales, activation design, event production, marketing programs, virtual events, and gifting solutions. Account Directors at Forefront are responsible for selling sponsorships and corporate hospitality for portfolio events including the Austin Trail of Lights in Austin, TX, Live in the Vineyard, and Live in the Vineyard Goes Country in Napa Valley, CA, to name a few. Account Directors at Forefront are also responsible for selling solutions to our clients to meet their event-related and experiential marketing needs.

Job Brief

We are looking for an Account Director to undertake account management responsibilities. Duties will involve both managing relationships with clients and guiding internal account support personnel. An effective Account Director has great aptitude in building and maintaining customer relationships. They also possess excellent planning and leadership abilities to coordinate and integrate internal resources required to provide solutions for Client opportunities.

As the key point of contact for the client, the Account Director will coordinate the resources needed to service projects, build strategic operational plans, and balance the expectations of clients with the execution of creative work.

The goal is to ensure that the Forefront retains existing clients, expands its client base and increases customer satisfaction through successful projects, facilitating further growth.

Account Director Duties and Responsibilities

• Create detailed sales business plans including budgets and activities for each account in the assigned portfolio
• Set up goals and objectives for each account and communicate to internal support teams
• Manage the entire sales cycle including finding prospects and leads, identifying new sales opportunities, developing compelling proposals, contracting each project, ensuring objectives are accomplished, and building strong trust-based client relationships.
• Serve as the primary interface between client and internal support team providing regular feedback and insight throughout the project
• Understand customer requirements and needs to offer suitable solutions that generate new business
• Identify opportunities to up-sell and cross-sell
• Ensure the timely delivery of services and products to clients
• Resolve issues to maintain and strengthen customer trust
• Communicate overall quarterly/annual progress/KPIs to senior management and external stakeholders

General Activities

• Taking a lead in clients’ marketing, event and experiential strategies
• Leading a matrixed team to provide the utmost level of client service
• Liaising with clients on a day-to-day basis
• Promoting the expansion of business with existing clients
• Working with other team members to generate new accounts
• Completing projects to a specific schedule and within an agreed budget
• Using skills to push clients, and Forefront, creatively and strategically

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of experience in Account Director or similar role with proven track record of success
• Background in events, experiential, brand activations, and/or integrated marketing campaigns
• Solid understanding of budgeting and progress reporting
• Sense of ownership and pride in performance and the impact on company-wide success
• Enthusiastic and passionate team player
• BS/BA in business administration, sales or relevant field
• Persuasive and confident in approach to creative projects
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Effective matrixed team management capabilities and organizational skills
• Keen attention to detail and budgetary restraints
• Knowledge of performance evaluation techniques and metrics
• Aptitude in fostering long-term relationships
• Ability to travel as needed

Skills Required

• Strong negotiation skills
• Outstanding knowledge of MS Office
• Knowledge of CRM software - Salesforce.com is a plus
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Time-management skills
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills

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