Senior Account Manager

About the Role

Clever Samurai is seeking an experienced, commercially minded Senior Account Manager to manage client relationships and lead the successful delivery of marketing and communications programs across the 5th business Group of Agencies.

This is a hands-on client services position for someone who combines strong account management experience with exceptional organization, sound business judgment and a genuine sense of ownership.

The successful candidate will independently manage assigned client accounts, oversee projects and ongoing programs, and work closely with strategy, creative, digital, media, social, PR and other specialist teams. Depending on the account, you may serve as the primary client lead or work alongside senior agency leadership.

We are looking for someone who anticipates needs, makes informed decisions, solves problems and drives work forward without requiring constant direction.

This is not a position focused solely on relationship management or delegating work. You will be actively involved in planning, coordinating and delivering client programs while ensuring that commitments are met, budgets are respected and our clients receive exceptional service.

Key Responsibilities

Client & Account Leadership

• Independently manage assigned client accounts, serving as a trusted and reliable day-to-day contact.
• Develop a thorough understanding of each client's business, commercial objectives, competitive environment and marketing priorities.
• Lead client meetings, manage expectations and provide clear, confident recommendations.
• Anticipate client needs, identify potential issues and take appropriate action before they become problems.
• Maintain strong relationships with clients and senior stakeholders, supporting satisfaction, retention and long-term growth.
• Exercise sound judgment in managing difficult conversations, competing priorities and changing client requirements.

Project & Program Delivery

• Take ownership of the planning, coordination and successful delivery of multiple concurrent marketing and communications initiatives.
• Translate approved strategies and plans into clear briefs, timelines, assignments and deliverables.
• Coordinate internal teams, contractors and specialist resources across the agency group.
• Personally develop and deliver selected client work, including presentations, project briefs, recommendations and other marketing communications materials.
• Monitor progress, resolve obstacles and ensure work is completed accurately, on time and to a high standard.
• Review deliverables for quality, strategic alignment and client requirements before presentation or delivery.
• Maintain clear communication, documentation and follow-through across all stakeholders.

Commercial & Financial Management

• Manage client work within approved scopes, budgets and timelines.
• Develop estimates, statements of work, project budgets and recommendations.
• Monitor scope changes, resource requirements and potential cost overruns.
• Identify and address scope creep professionally and promptly.
• Understand the financial implications of account decisions and contribute to healthy account profitability.
• Recognize opportunities for additional services, account expansion and stronger client relationships.
• Balance client satisfaction with the commercial interests of the agency.

Agency Collaboration & Leadership

• Provide clear direction, briefs and constructive feedback to colleagues and external partners.
• Coordinate effectively across different disciplines, teams and agencies.
• Demonstrate initiative, accountability and sound decision-making without unnecessary escalation.
• Contribute to improved processes, operational efficiency and consistently high standards of delivery.
• Support and guide colleagues where appropriate.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means that:

• Clients are confident their accounts are being managed professionally and proactively.
• Work progresses efficiently, with clear accountability and minimal unnecessary escalation.
• Projects and programs are delivered on time, within scope and to the expected standard.
• Account budgets, resources and commercial commitments are actively managed.
• Client issues are identified early and resolved effectively.
• Opportunities for account growth and additional services are recognized.
• Senior agency leadership can rely on you to independently manage responsibilities and deliver results.

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• 7+ years of progressive account management or client services experience within a marketing, advertising, digital or integrated communications agency.
• Demonstrated experience independently managing multiple client accounts and complex marketing projects.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong client relationships, including with senior stakeholders.
• Strong commercial understanding, including experience managing scopes of work, estimates, budgets and account profitability.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams across creative, digital, media, content, PR or related marketing services.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop effective presentations, briefs and client recommendations.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage competing deadlines and priorities.
• Demonstrated initiative, problem-solving ability and a consistent record of following through on commitments.
• Proficiency with contemporary project management, collaboration and marketing tools.
• Bachelor's degree in marketing, business, communications, advertising or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.

Considered an Asset

• Experience working within an integrated or multi-agency environment.
• Experience managing B2B and B2C clients across different industries.
• Familiarity with sales enablement, paid media, digital marketing, social media, content marketing and public relations.
• Experience using AI-enabled tools to improve workflow efficiency, research, planning and content development.
• Experience identifying and developing organic account growth opportunities.

What Will Make You Successful

You are an experienced agency professional who combines strong client relationship skills with commercial awareness and operational discipline.

You are comfortable taking responsibility, making decisions and managing multiple moving parts. You understand that successful account management involves more than keeping clients happy. It requires sound planning, effective execution, financial awareness and the ability to deliver on commitments.

You can think strategically while remaining comfortable with the practical work required to get things done.

You communicate clearly, address issues directly and bring solutions rather than simply identifying problems.

Above all, you take ownership. You are proactive, dependable and motivated by delivering results for your clients and our agency.

What We Offer

• Competitive annual salary commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits and a hybrid working environment.
• Opportunities to work across multiple agencies, clients and industries.
• A collaborative environment with experienced strategic and creative professionals.
• Access to emerging marketing technologies and AI-enabled tools.
• The opportunity to take meaningful ownership of client relationships and contribute to the continued growth of the agency group.

About Us

Clever Samurai is a strategy-first marketing and communications consultancy focused on helping clients create sustainable competitive advantage. The firm serves mid-market and enterprise organizations across sectors such as information technology, healthcare, manufacturing, public utilities, retail, food services, business services, and not-for-profit. Its services span strategy and consulting, market research, creative and advertising, digital experience, public relations and communications, and employer branding/talent recruitment marketing. As a 5th business® company, Clever Samurai operates as an integrated marketing strategy, communications, and sales organization, offering clients end-to-end support from insight to execution.