Ogilvy Social Lab, part of WPP, is setting global benchmarks in digital marketing and is driven by offering our expertise to both local and international clients through a multi-market footprint.
We have enabled 'borderless ways of working', operating as connected teams and providing Creative, Content, Media and Intelligence capabilities to Ogilvy agencies and clients in more than 20 countries.
Join our globally connected team and work on challenging projects that transcend borders. Embrace a career that takes you to new horizons and make a global impact!
About WPP
WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.
We are looking for a Senior Account Manager
Ogilvy Social.Lab is looking for an experienced Senior Account Manager, with a strong digital background to nurture and develop some of the most loved and established national and international brands.
We believe that strong, agile & capable client service fuels our business growth through seamless collaboration with our solutions teams to deliver brilliant work that impacts our clients' businesses. This is achieved by providing excellent service and strategic guidance.
This role involves meticulous client management, project ownership, planning and follow-up. Crucial to this position is a comprehensive understanding and appreciation of digital marketing across content creation, media and strategy. As a Senior Account Manager, you are responsible for ensuring work is produced efficiently, on time, and within budget.
Client Relationship Management:
- Act as the primary day-to-day contact for assigned clients, building and nurturing strong, trusted relationships.
- Develop a deep understanding of client business objectives, target audiences, and competitive landscape.
- Proactively identify and address client needs, ensuring their voice is heard and their expectations are met.
- Understand the full suite of agency solutions and be able to strategically speak to these.
- Identify and act upon client growth opportunities, expanding existing business and fostering new partnerships.
- Foster and promote due diligence and care both in client day-to-day work and internal tasks.
Project Management & Execution:
- Manage all aspects of client projects from initiation to completion, ensuring timely delivery within budget and scope.
- Develop and maintain detailed project plans, timelines, and budgets, effectively communicating progress and managing expectations.
- Collaborate seamlessly with internal teams (creative, strategy, production, etc.) to execute campaigns and deliver exceptional results.
- Seamlessly collaborate with in-market/client teams to ensure alignment and successful campaign execution.
- Foster collaboration and team culture within teams and across departments, particularly when working on client projects.
Financial Management:
- Accurately manage Statements of Work (SOWs), raising flags and addressing any discrepancies promptly.
- Timeously create Project Authorization & Approval Forms (PAAFs) and/or Purchase Orders (POs).
- Manage client invoicing, ensuring timely and accurate billing.
- Manage Work in Progress (WIP) adjustments accurately and in a timely manner.
- Support Business Unit Director (BUD) with revenue forecasting in their portfolio.
- Capture time accurately and on time using the Ogilvy platform.
- Provide internal and client-facing reconciliations as needed, ensuring timely delivery.
- Leverage the Ogilvy platform for finance tasks, job creation, and time capture.
Reporting & Analysis:
- Develop and deliver insightful client reports, showcasing campaign performance, key learnings, and actionable recommendations.
- Develop compelling case studies that highlight successful campaigns and demonstrate the value delivered to clients.
- Proactively monitor industry trends and competitive activity, sharing relevant insights with clients and internal teams.
Desired Skills & Experiences:
- Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, or a related field.
- 3+ years of proven experience in an Account Management role within an agency or client-side environment.
- Strong understanding of digital marketing landscape, platforms, and best practices.
- Excellent project management, organisational, and time management skills.
- Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, or related field
- 3+ years proven experience in an Account Management role (agency or client-side)
- Strong understanding of digital marketing platforms and best practices
- Excellent project management, organisational, and time management skills
- Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
- Experience using project management tools
- Experience with Ogilvy platform for time capture and finance tasks
- Financial management experience (SOWs, POs, invoicing, WIP, revenue forecasting)
What We Do
In 1948, David Ogilvy founded the agency that would become Ogilvy & Mather. Starting with no clients and a staff of two, he built his company into one of the eight largest advertising networks in the world with more than 500 offices and 20,000 staff across 169 cities. Ogilvy South Africa’s origins lie with a small hot shop in Cape Town, founded by Bob Rightford, Brian Searle-Tripp and Roger Makin in 1976. After merging with Ogilvy in 1984, Ogilvy & Mather RS-TM dominated the local creative scene during the first decade and over the next twenty years was recognized as a brand-focused agency that acted with integrity. During the 1990’s, Ogilvy South Africa soared creatively under the leadership of Robyn Putter (1950-2010), who eventually went on to become the global creative head of WPP. Today, Ogilvy South Africa is the leader in the industry, focused on building and transforming brands. Employing more than 900 staff across three offices, Ogilvy remains true to David’s vision; we still see ourselves as a company that does more than ads and have proven that by maintaining our humility and an almost divine discontent at our past successes, we can do more than stay relevant. For more than 50 years, Ogilvy South Africa has created iconic advertising for clients such as KFC, VW, SAB, BP, DStv and Mondelez amongst others, and we continue to live by our founders credo of existing to “Make brands matter”.
