Account Manager II

Job title: Account Manager II
Job location: Mettawa, IL (3 days onsite, 2 days remote)
Job duration: 12+ months

Both pharma and ad agency required
Also would consider candidates with no degree if they have appropriate experience, but candidate would not be considered for FT opportunities
Travel required (Y/N) - Infrequently, domestic / international travel may be requested.

What are the top 3-5 skills, experience or education required for this position:
a. Pharmaceutical Experience: Demonstrates an understanding of pharmaceutical marketing, product attributes, marketing objectives, target audience, competitive environment, market dynamics and medical/regulatory/legal
b. Digital background: familiarity with online tools, apps and digital solutions that are critical to success in the pharmaceutical marketing space

Agency experience is just shy of an absolute must. They are willing to look at candidates without Agency experience but rarely if ever, have these candidates received offers.

This is followed by Pharma experience.

PRIMARY FUNCTION / PRIMARY GOALS / OBJECTIVES
The Account Manager serves as the primary liaison between the *** Ad Agency and the brand teams and is responsible for managing the day-to-day relationships within the Agency. Working in partnership with the Agency's creative staff and external resources/suppliers, the position provides strategic direction and counsel to help the brand teams meet their business objectives/sales goals.

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS
• Maintain knowledge of *** guidelines including, but not limited to, corporate branding, promotional material development, PromoMats review and corporate compliance.
• Possess a thorough understanding of their accounts' (both U.S. and Global) product attributes, marketing objectives, target audience, competitive environment, market dynamics and medical/regulatory/legal position.
• Maintain an intimate understanding of the Agency Workflow Process including project initiation and kickoff, collaboration, necessary approvals, production and archiving.
• Demonstrate critical creative thinking and problem solving skills.
• Demonstrate clear and concise written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrate the ability to prioritize and multi-task to enhance productivity and manage workload.
• Demonstrate leadership in conflict resolution to facilitate effective outcomes.
• Possess ability to work in a high-volume, rapidly paced environment.

PROJECT/PROCESS MANAGEMENT
• Collaborate with the brand team in the development of creative briefs
• Recommend key promotional tactics that align with the strategy and goals of the brand.
• Issue client contact reports to ensure key information is being quickly communicated to all involved stakeholders.
• Review creative development of a project during concept to completion to ensure specifications, client expectations, budgets, timelines, etc. are being adhered to.
• Facilitate ongoing, timely and accurate communications to ensure all projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Develop annual forecasts.
• Conduct financial reconciliations on a monthly basis.
• Track time on a daily basis.

ACCOUNTABILITY / SCOPE
• Reports to *** Ad Agency Group Account Manager
• Partners with creative team on project initiatives
• Accountable for strategic direction creative/tactical execution, compliance to all related guidelines and budget
• Adherence to all company-wide financial policies

QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor degree required
• Master's degree or equivalent related project or functional experience is desirable
• Total account management experience - minimum of 4-6+ years
• Pharmaceutical industry experience preferred (both U.S. and Global)
• In-house ad agency/ad agency experience a plus
• Excellent communications skills: verbal, presentation, written
• High energy, positive, organized individual who is comfortable in a high-visibility role
• Ability to manage high volume project scope in a fast paced creative environment
• Great collaborator with ability to focus on both the big picture and small details