Merkle is a leading data-driven, technology-enabled, global performance marketing agency that specializes in the delivery of unique, personalized customer experiences across platforms and devices. For nearly 30 years, Fortune 1000 companies and leading nonprofit organizations have partnered with Merkle to maximize the value of their customer portfolios. The agency’s heritage in data, technology, and analytics forms the foundation for its unmatched skills in understanding consumer insights that drive people-based marketing strategies. Its combined strengths in performance media, customer experience, customer relationship management, loyalty, and enterprise marketing technology drive improved marketing results and competitive advantage. With 4,400 employees, Merkle is headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, with additional offices in the US, Europe, and Asia. In 2016, the agency joined the Dentsu Aegis Network.
The Associate Account Director will lead digital media programs for a major financial services client. The Lead plays a pivotal role in maintaining client satisfaction and loyalty by providing exceptional services and value to our clients. The Assoc. Account Director is responsible for providing strategic direction, the day-to-day execution of media programs and is the direct liaison between the internal departments and the client (i.e., the Digital Quarterback). The Assoc. Account Director also supports the organization’s strategic, tactical and support functions ((programmatic media (search/display/social), campaign management, technology, and analytics) in order to achieve the client and company objectives. Account Management team members have the opportunity to directly impact client satisfaction, and are an integral member of our team.
Key Responsibilities
• Serve as the primary media conduit between the client and Merkle business/support teams
• Provide leadership to the internal Merkle team on behalf of the client
• Accountable for setting internal communication plans/methodology
• Accountable for working with the team setting messaging sequencing strategies, etc.
• Contribute to marketing strategies, testing, and execution of client digital media programs (programmatic search, social, and display)
• Coordinate and manage internal and external client meetings; responsible for daily communication with key client contacts
• Collaborate with external 3rd party channel partners
• Ensure timeliness and quality of client deliverables to include campaign results, reports, change requests and proposals
• Manage and execute the campaign process both internally and with external partners
• Maintain media matrix and deployment grid, review tactical assets for accuracy, and provide campaign expertise and recommendations from Merkle teams and subject matter experts
• Serve as primary point of contact for error resolution
• Improve upon existing processes and procedures
• Effectively lead and motivate internal team to produce best in class work
• Foster a collaborative, energized internal dynamic team
• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s preferred
• Minimum 5-8 years of client services/account management experience in a direct marketing agency or a combination of agency/client side experience
• Experience managing and executing programmatic media campaigns (search, social, and display)
• Financial services experience is a plus
• Strong project management, interpersonal, and negotiation skills
• Analytically minded, specifically comfortable with data, response metrics and trends
• Proven experience managing client relationships, especially sensitive issues, and effectively problem solving; ability to analyze problems and produce a viable solution
• Ability to multi-task and work well in a fast changing environment
• Willingness to spend time at client (local) and travel if deemed appropriate
Joining Merkle as a Student, Recent Graduate (or anyone interested in starting a career in digital marketing!)
We recruit high-achieving, knowledge-thirsty individuals and offer them exciting opportunities to work with well-known clients in collaborative teams. When you join Merkle with one of our campus hire “classes,” you will complete our training curriculum, the Merkle Accelerator Program (MAP), and be assigned a mentor to support you through your learning. We are a team of passionate, highly motivated problem-solvers delivering exceptional results to our clients. We don’t think wearing a suit and tie makes you smarter so we get down to business in jeans and a T-Shirt alongside our colleagues and friends. Outside of the office, you might find us scoring points on a company-sponsored sports team, volunteering in our community during a Giving Back day, or eating and drinking while we celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, promotions, holidays, or simply Fridays. Inside or outside of the office, we strive to be our best every day and be #MerkleProud of the work we do.
This job description is a summary of the essential functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties. The responsibilities, tasks, and duties of the jobholder might differ from those outlined in the job description. Other duties, as assigned by the supervisor, might be part of the job.