Founded in 1984, APCO Worldwide is an award-winning, independently owned global communication and business strategy firm with offices in major cities throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. APCO combines a global perspective with local expertise to help clients around the world manage challenges, opportunities, perceptions and reputations. APCO clients include corporations and governments; industry associations and nonprofit organizations; and many of the top companies on the Fortune 500. The firm is a majority women-owned business The Associate Account Director is primarily responsible for managing client relationship(s), client projects by supervising project teams and delegate projects and tasks effectively. The Associate Director is responsible for identifying the strategy which supports the client\xe2\x80\x99s objectives, develops communication plans, properly scoping and pricing of work, as well as managing work activities and resources within agreed upon budgets. The Associate Account Director should identify and pursue opportunities for new business , show demonstrated strategic abilities, and have strong written and verbal communication skills. Primary Duties and Responsibilities ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR DUTIES:
Manages independently Client relationships to build confidence in APCO as a trusted business partner, while preserving APCO\xe2\x80\x99s interest in the business relationship
Organizes teams around business development opportunities and manage proposal process ensuring quality of thinking, APCO\xe2\x80\x99s work standards, and accurate scoping of work
Develops positive reputation and has visibility in within the APCO network and be viewed as a thought leader in the market
Establishes strong network across APCO and engages in productive exchanges with colleagues to promote knowledge sharing and business opportunities
Leads confidently internal and external client meetings, offering knowledgeable observations and suggestions; establishing credibility by insights shared; encouraging and motivating others to communicate ideas
Serves as principal client contact; knows when to leverage senior level relationships within APCO to further build the relationship within the client organization
Networks actively to identify new business prospects as routine activity
Demonstrates consistently APCO\xe2\x80\x99s values in all interactions with colleagues, vendors and clients
Proactively identifies external meetings and trainings to attend to enhance sector knowledge and contacts
Demonstrates an understanding of effective project management, can effectively address issues, and understands how managing account engagements tie to APCO\xe2\x80\x99s business success and makes changes as necessary to improve account performance
Participates in annual business planning, forecasting opportunity with clients managed
Takes ownership and actively engages in team member development; demonstrating thoughtful planning to increase individual skill sets by setting smart objectives
Meets or exceeds assigned utilization/AIP targets
Demonstrates performance in growing clients organically and actively pursues new opportunities with prospects
Shares opportunities across the network looking for the best resources to service the account (s)
CLIENT RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT
Develops relationship of trust with clients
Provides constructive advice and counsel about client issues and, when appropriate, to clients
Ensures agreement with client at the outset of what can be expected and within agreed timescales
Seeks client input to better understand needs and develops ideas for how to meet those needs
Communicates with clients on priorities and deliverables, and ensures team is up to date and has the information required to meet client needs
Adjusts to changes in scope initiated by client and communicates effectively to project team
Cautions clients about possible risks or downsides to certain courses of action
Addresses dissatisfied client or issues by remaining calm and professional
Anticipates clients\xe2\x80\x99 needs and makes recommendations/proposals that reflect understanding of client issues
Strives to meet and exceed client expectations and instills the same across the team
Adjusts to changes in scope initiated by client and communicates effectively to project team
TEAMWORK
Creates environment making all team members feel they are important contributors
Leads by example and demonstrates respect for all colleagues ensuring team members also understand need for culture of respect
Conducts inclusive team meetings and fosters an environment where participating is encouraged/expected.
Communicates and shares individual and team goals
Sets expectations for team achievements
Demonstrates appreciation of diversity on teams, and sees this as a strength to the team
ACCOUNT & PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Manages self and team to ensure that projects are progressing on schedule as expected
Ensures teams have skills and knowledge to deliver to clients expectations
Identifies resource needs for projects
Recognizes in good time when a task will not be completed within an agreed and expected timeframe and makes necessary changes to ensure client deliverables are not compromised
Effectively manages workload for self and team; helps more junior colleagues prioritize work if necessary.
Reports budget variances in timely manner
Completes pre-bill and client billing review responsibilities in time frames as determined by finance
Manages client expectations for deliverables
Effectively delegates tasks to team members in order to meet project objectives/milestones and deliverables
Assigns realistic workloads
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Analyses client requirements to scope opportunity and budget projects effectively and profitably
Uses tools to review project and account performance, making adjustments as necessary to achieve account performance expectations
Demonstrates understanding of office/practice business strategies and imparts to team members and more junior colleagues.
Sets self and team priorities on work that accurately reflect needs of business and clients
Ensures projects are billed accurately, and communicates to team members as need to ensure they have accurate budget and deadline information for their tasks
Considers, and where appropriate, notifies management of potential opportunities, risks or challenges that could impact the business.
LEADERSHIP
Provides effective and timely feedback regarding team member\xe2\x80\x99s performance
Encourages innovation and new ideas
Allows individuals the autonomy to perform their jobs
Shares knowledge, experience and expertise to assist project members
Adopts an appropriate and tailored coaching style when managing staff
Provides positive and constructive feedback to their team members
Demonstrates behaviours in line with APCO\xe2\x80\x99s values in their interactions with colleagues, vendors and clients.
Openly values diverse views and opinions
Respects and responds to diverse views, opinions and ideas
Supports company initiatives and communicates value to team members
Identifies talent within their team and recognizes their contributions
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Actively participates in pitches and demonstrates knowledge of issues by contributing ideas and strategy to proposals and drafting RFPs
Actively participates in professional organization/networks by attending events/volunteering as appropriate
Develops network of professional contacts
Demonstrates knowledge of APCO\'s service offering by providing innovative ideas for growing existing business into other practice areas or finding new business. Actively seeks knowledge about other service offerings
Contributes to proposals by committing to specific time and deliverables and balancing those against existing obligations
Demonstrates understanding of new business goals and objectives for the of department/practice areas/office
Encourages team members to work with colleagues and readily share contacts/opportunities as appropriate across the business
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Demonstrates commitment to the importance of professional growth for themselves and their team members
Participates in professional organizations (industry, sector, function) to maintain awareness of important issues and to build professional network
Coaches and develops team members and shares knowledge and feedback with others
Has active personal development plan for self and team members; sets smart objectives.
Seeks feedback from others for own self development plans
Actively participates in opportunities available to increase team knowledge and skills
Allows team members time to attend internal and external training
Attends external events and networks
AD-Hocks Assignment/reports:
As per the Direct Manager\xe2\x80\x99s requests
Competencies
Client relationship skills
Customer service skills
Leadership skills
Decision making skills
Analytical skills
Requirements
Bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s or Master\xe2\x80\x99s Degree in Mass Communications, or Equivalent
6-8 years relevant experience in a consulting firm, corporation, diplomatic post or media role
Media Relations and writing content experience
Fluent in English
Work Conditions The physical abilities needed to perform the duties of this position, in addition to the office climate:
Office environment is general office setting
Some travel may be required
Must reside in Dubai or be willing to relocate
Willing to work additional or irregular hours as needed and allowed by local regulations
About APCO Worldwide In MENA Home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world, the Middle East and North Africa region has a pivotal role to play in driving global conversations \xe2\x80\x93 from environmental policies to religion and pop culture. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are clear leaders in this equation, although the wave of innovation continues to transcend borders. APCO launched its regional operations in 2006 in Dubai. Growing from a team of less than 10 consultants, APCO today has over 200 people from 26 countries working in teams across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Manama and Kuwait and our projects take us to countries across the region and the Levant. APCO was awarded Best Agency in the Middle East by PRWeek in 2019 and Best Agency to Work for: EMEA Network by PRovoke Media in 2017 and 2019. With a portfolio of over 100 clients, APCO\xe2\x80\x99s MENA offices deliver public relations and digital communication support across health, food, consumer & retail, finance, technology, real estate & hospitality, non-profit and public affairs practices. The region also offers specialized services, created for the Middle East, such as our Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model and our Compass and License to Operate offerings. In addition, APCO\xe2\x80\x99s global AI Comms Lab, a first-of-its-kind innovation center which utilizes artificial intelligence to build and protect the reputations of major global brands, governments and organizations is driven from the Dubai office. From helping governments connect with the private sector and civil society, to supporting the Pope\xe2\x80\x99s historic visit to the region and launching iconic brands and destinations, we understand the nuances of the MENA region and pride ourselves on making an impact
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