Account Executive

WS is a collective of some of the best marketing experts committed to propelling brands further, faster. With over 18 years of experience creating omni-channel outcomes for clients across North America, our curious nature has created a highly successful approach to reaching powerful and meaningful results. Simply put, we are strategic providers of formidable marketing outcomes. Working at WS will enable you to combine your talents, passions, and professional acumen with a commitment to making a real difference on a highly collaborative and talented team.

Join a leading, next generation marketing company that focuses a customer-centric approach to solving marketing challenges in agriculture and technology. A people first, DEI approach to organizational structure, processes and culture has made WS a North-American marketing leader and sought-after employer.

DESCRIPTION OF ROLE

The Account Executive/Client Partner (AE/CP) is responsible for the organization and execution of projects for a leading agricultural client in North America, specifically working on the Specialty Crops and BioSolutions business in the U.S. The role will maintain and track projects to ensure they move through team disciplines and agency processes smoothly and efficiently. The AE/CP will work closely with the senior account service team, strategy, creative, public relations, digital, media and performance teams to support the development of strategic marketing communications plans and will project manage all tactics within these plans including: research; customer segmentation; tradeshow/conference/event production & activation; content development; social media, public relations and email marketing programs; landing page development; paid media; creative ideation and production. This role has an excellent relationship with the client as well as a deep understanding of the clients’ business, brand and their products.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Project Management & Client Relationship

• Maintains strong relationships with clients, internal agency teams, freelancers and vendors and liaises between agency and clients regarding client needs, objectives and timelines
• Supports the Market Segment Lead to clearly outline clients’ desired outcomes and POV to help agency teams approach projects
• Is responsible for monitoring project deliverables and shares information, feedback and timelines with appropriate team members throughout the project to completion
• Ensures all timelines are met and deliverables are of the upmost quality
• Organizes and officiates alongside senior account service team members, over brainstorming and tactical meetings regarding marketing outcomes and strategies and takes notes and captures action items
• Works proficiently with online conferencing software to organize and schedule internal and client meetings
• Drafts clear agendas, participates in, and captures meeting notes, for client and agency team meetings to ensure continuity of understanding between all parties involved
• Recaps client and internal agency discussions through Wrike, the agency’s project management tool and facilitates subsequent meetings when appropriate
• Works with the agency’s Lead Project Manager to prepare timelines for projects and tasks using Wrike
• Responsible for creating, updating and leading weekly/bi-weekly status reports for client meetings
• Regularly updates the full account service team on the progress of each project within the Specialty Crops and BioSolutions marcom plans
• Helps the senior account service team prepare presentations and Gantt charts related to the marketing communications plans as well as new Scope of Work documents and proposals
• Sends briefs, concepts, copy, layouts, wireframes, etc. to the client for approval
• Collects (and sometimes chases down) client feedback and posts this feedback along with action items in Wrike to ensure all relevant agency team members are informed and know what they need to do next
• Acquires written creative, content, performance briefs or brand dashboards from the senior account service team and shares these with the appropriate agency team members to ensure everyone has the same information
• Maintains client contact throughout project, setting expectations for delivery
• Reviews all work to ensure accuracy based on agency teams’ and clients’ input and then reviews this with Market Segment Lead before forwarding/presenting to clients
• Reviews and proofs media plans, and works with the agency’s Lead Project Manager to distribute insertion and materials due dates to internal teams
• Sources and provides the relevant agency teams with background/reference materials needed for research, competitive analysis, customer segmentation, product positioning, concept development, copywriting, etc., then follows up with teams to ensure they have everything they need
• Works with outside vendors and freelancers as required
• Helps support the development and preparation of mid- and end-of-campaign reports for the client
• Ensures client and project information is organized and easily accessible in Google Drive

Team Leadership & Internal Relationships

• Steps out of the job description to assist other team members when needed
• Builds rapport and trusting relationships with internal teams. Collaborates with multiple internal teams to ensure projects are delivered on time and reflect agency and client standards
• Takes an active role in building a positive agency culture by becoming involved with activities outside of client work
• Uses client and agency onboarding documents as well as other client information to help the Strategic Account Team Lead and UPL Business Lead onboard new team members
• Contributes to the development of a culture that enjoys the challenge of meeting, and stretching financial and performance targets
• Becomes an advocate, reinforcing WS’ values, culture and key strengths

Budget and Scope of Work Management

• Supports the Market Segment Lead and Strategic Account Team Lead with budgeting and planning discussions
• Works with Market Segment Lead to develop scopes of work based on marketing outcomes and contributes to pricing discussions. Works with finance and project management teams to set up jobs in internal systems
• Tracks and manages scopes of work; identifies changes in scope, and creates change orders in partnership with senior account service team
• Where requested by the Market Segment Lead, reviews monthly invoices, ensures billing schedules are followed and creates billing explanations for clients

QUALIFICATIONS

• 2+ years of agency experience or in a marketing coordinator, marketing executive or marketing manager role
• Agriculture knowledge (crop protection) is considered an asset
• Advertising/digital agency experience is considered an asset
• An education in marketing, PR, Communications or Project Management
• Strong project management and organization skills
• Outstanding communication and decision-making skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• The ability to run multiple projects with competing deadlines
• Eagerness to learn and continue developing skills and client knowledge
• Strong customer service and relationship management skills
• Ability to quickly adapt to change and work in a fast-paced environment
• Assertive and able to take charge of a situation when appropriate
• Business acumen
• Strong understanding of social media, public relations, paid digital media, digital production, collateral, email marketing, event production
• Proactive and self-motivated
• A positive attitude

Sound like you? If so, we’re excited to meet you. Send a brief but powerful cover letter and your resume to hr@simplyws.com

ABOUT US

WS has been active in the Canadian market for more than 20 years. Our team ranges from enthusiastic grads to seasoned veterans with over 30 years of industry experience.

Our diverse team of 20 (and growing) seems to really like it here, proven by our incredibly low turnover rate. Our team works from all different parts of the country and collaborate to bring ideas to life through technology.

We offer half day Fridays, that’s an extra half day to your weekend…we also offer flex days, give birthdays off, provide paid volunteer time, have a professional development budget, great social events, and this amazing thing called a “bonus program.” Sometimes, we all get together online for an event and the company pays for our food delivery to support local businesses.

It’s a pretty sweet gig, and we hope you can be part of it someday. Thanks for considering WS..