Account Manager

Our Account Manager role is best suited for a proven leader with a track record of growing client relationships, achieving top-tier media and influencer coverage, and developing integrated strategies across media relations, influencers, social media, content, thought leadership and crisis communications. At Belle, this role maps to our Manager career level, where you’ll own the strategy and results for your client portfolio and lead others in delivering it. You’ll also be evaluated on your ability to consistently demonstrate our Core Belle-iefs:

Our Core Belle-iefs

1. Think BIG: Innovate and strategize.

2. Communicate. Communicate. Communicate.

3. Be a team player. 

4. Enthusiasm: Bring it.

5. Never stop learning. 

6. Adapt to get results.

7. Care.

This role is best suited for a highly detailed self-starter with previous agency experience who thrives in a fast-paced, remote work environment.

As Account Manager, you will be primarily responsible for the strategy, growth and day-to-day management of the client accounts you lead, from project management and team oversight to measurement and goal setting, ensuring PR, influencer marketing, social media and content initiatives align with client business goals and maximize ROI. You’ll also stay ahead of industry trends within public relations and client industries, guide your account teams toward coverage and growth goals, and contribute strategic recommendations that build client thought leadership across traditional and digital marketing channels.

Primary Responsibilities:

Account Management

• Oversee the development and execution of client annual and project-based campaigns, staffing and budgets
• Ensure clients receive results-driven monthly reporting tied to their business goals
• Review and approve team deliverables
• Manage our work and team in line with the client’s scope of work and investment
• Ensure your account teams make each client feel like one of our only clients through superior service and attention to detail

Strategy

• Lead the creation of PR, influencer, social media and content strategies, including ideation, timelines, goal setting, measurement and execution
• Ensure clients receive ideas, trend insight or competitive research weekly to position Belle as a true partner

Media Relations + Thought Leadership

• Consistently secure top-tier national, regional and trade media opportunities to achieve monthly and campaign hit goals
• Develop relationships with key top-tier/ “Wish List” media and share new contacts with Belle staff
• Plan and execute media tours, press trips and special events
• Lead brainstorms and develop new story ideas and media relations approaches
• Identify and execute speaking, award and other thought leadership opportunities
• Review and approve talking points, fact sheets, speaker decks and award submissions

Organic + Paid Social Media

• Oversee organic and paid social media strategy aligned with account and business goals
• Manage paid social budgets, including planning, allocation and optimization
• Draft and refine post copy in each client's brand voice
• Create simple graphics using tools like Canva
• Translate platform performance data into clear takeaways and recommendations
• Apply industry benchmarks and platform-specific best practices to maximize results
• Stay current on platform and algorithm changes, adjusting strategy accordingly

Influencer Marketing

• Develop influencer marketing strategy aligned with client goals and target audiences
• Manage influencer partnerships end to end, including:
• Researching and vetting influencers for brand and audience fit
• Negotiating contracts, deliverables and budgets
• Reporting on performance and results

Crisis Communications

• Lead the development of client crisis communication plans, proactively identifying risk areas
• Serve as a primary point of counsel in time-sensitive or crisis situations
• Guide account teams in executing crisis response, escalating to senior leadership as needed

Business Development

• Oversee client renewal and expansion proposals, including annual strategy and innovation recommendations
• Play a leadership role in the sales process by identifying organic growth opportunities and assisting with RFP responses and presentations

Team Leadership

• Mentor team members across PR, influencer relations, social media, creative strategy and client service to help them grow within the agency
• Lead the training, goal-setting and evaluation of team members, and contribute to advancement conversations
• Monitor trends in our clients’ industries and Belle’s services, and educate your account teams on them

Core Competencies for AM Role

• Directs Work - Provides clear direction, delegates effectively and removes obstacles to get work done, determining the right level of oversight for each project and team member.
• Develops Talent - Provides guidance, coaching and feedback to help team members strengthen their skills and grow within the agency; contributes to hiring, onboarding and performance evaluation decisions.
• Manages Conflict - Handles conflict situations effectively and with minimal noise, finding common ground and balancing differing perspectives among clients and team members.
• Persuades - Uses compelling arguments and data to gain the support and commitment of clients, team members and agency leadership.
• Plans and Aligns - Sets objectives and prioritizes work to align client and team goals with broader agency strategy, anticipating obstacles and adjusting as needed.

KPI’s

• Responds to internal and external messages and emails within 4 hours (based on office hours)
• Meets or exceeds all deadlines
• Proactively communicates the status of tasks and projects ahead of due dates
• Independently leads 4-5 accounts as the primary client contact
• Oversees and guides account teams by reviewing deliverables, providing feedback and managing roles and responsibilities to ensure timely and effective delivery
• Identifies additional growth opportunities for existing clients
• Monitors project scope to prevent scope creep and overservicing
• Achieves high retention and organic growth with current clients
• Contributes to client satisfaction scores of 90% or above
• Contributes to achieving 80%+ rate of weekly client hits or meaningful touchpoints
• Achieves monthly/weekly opportunity and hit goals for each client account you lead
• Regularly brings ideas to improve outcomes for your clients and team
• Develops team members through consistent coaching, feedback and goal-setting

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Marketing, Communication or related field
• Experience in the food, restaurant, hospitality and/or complex B2B industries
• 6-8 years' experience leading client accounts in an agency setting
• Proven ability to secure top-tier national, trade and regional media results
• Experience managing teams and/or individual direct reports
• Demonstrated ability to lead and grow multiple client accounts and exceed campaign goals
• Experience with organic and paid social media strategies and content plans
• Experience managing influencer marketing campaigns and partnerships
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills
• Organized and adaptable, with the ability to prioritize multiple time-sensitive projects
• Strategic thinker who consistently brings new ideas and creative solutions

Preferred:

• Experience developing and executing crisis communications plans
• Experience with new business development, including RFP responses and pitch presentations
• Experience with content strategy across earned, social and owned channels
• Familiarity with Google Analytics and social media advertising platforms

Belle Life

Belle Communication is a woman-owned and led, award-winning digital PR, influencer, social media and creative strategy firm. Founder Kate Finley launched the agency with the vision to empower meaningful work and thriving relationships. The agency has received numerous awards for client campaigns and has been recognized as a top place to work by Inc., PRWeek and PR News. 

Specializing in foodservice and B2B, Belle has partnered with more than 80 brands including IDEAL Industries, Golden Waffles, Reconomy,  Shake Shack, Nestlé and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams to reach target audiences through mass awareness and hyper-local activations.

At Belle, we are intentional about the culture we create. We keep our Core Belle-iefs front of mind to thrive in both work and life, and we hold each other accountable in our communication, teamwork and candor.

Belle Communication believes in the value of a diverse workplace. We strive for and encourage a diverse, equitable and inclusive team in all things we do. Learning about different perspectives makes us better people - for each other and for our clients - as we seek to understand others' experiences. Diversity, equity and inclusion are an important part of our culture and Core Belle-iefs.

Belle Communication is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, sex, gender, age, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by the law.

Benefits

• Work from home with occasional travel, approximately 3-5 overnight trips per year
• Flexible PTO with encouraged minimums that increase with tenure
• Company-funded health reimbursement benefit (QSEHRA) for eligible individual health insurance premiums and qualified medical expenses, up to the annual allowance
• Dental, vision, life and accident insurance plans
• Two weeks’ paid company closure at year-end
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Annual home office allowance
• Short-term disability insurance
• Annual team retreat
• Paid sabbatical leave every 7 years