Account Manager - Bryanston at Kantar

Key Outcomes

Management of studies and resources using research principles and Kantar systems:

Client Management and Growth:

• Build strong partnerships and deliver business impact for clients
• Takes accountability for client satisfaction on overall project delivery
• Service clients and interact independently with clients on an on-going basis. This includes regular communication regarding current projects, as well as relationship building to promote client retention, enhancement and growth
• Create and drive execution of business plan
• Manage and build relationships with lead client stakeholders
• Take accountability for client satisfaction on overall project delivery
• Handle more complex client enquiries regarding research inputs and outputs
• Have a deep understanding of the client business, industry, strategy and business issues
• Deliver thought leadership to client, drawing on expertise across Kantar to deliver client impact
• Deliver insights in a storytelling way, through strong analysis, presentation and workshopping skills 
• Is recognised by clients as an expert in an area of delivery
• Demonstrate research & marketing expertise to inspire clients and team

Team and Project Management:

• Mentor, coach and train team (on the job and formal)
• Build cooperative relationships within team and across functional teams
• Performance management, through objective setting and ongoing performance evaluation
• Identifying development areas and assist and support to ensure team member’s flourish
• Manage team capacity and resourcing
• Recruit, develop, and retain high quality people through succession planning and performance management
• Manage and supervise research projects. This includes delivering to agreed timelines, completing all the necessary administrative procedures and liaising with service departments to ensure process is effectively executed
• Take responsibility for the data and research quality and quality delivery of a project including all documents such as questionnaires and instructions
• Accountable for final questionnaire design, flow and wording
• Oversee supplier relationships ICs, external charting) to ensure quality of deliverables

Commercial Management: Contributing to financial performance and business profitability

• Accountable for team financial targets
• Accountable for client revenue targets
• New business development within existing clients
• Client proposals and costings
• A major contribution to and responsibility for the growth and profitability of clients
• Provide solutions to company barriers that are holding back profitability and growth
• Employs own knowledge of to initiate suitable process improvements that enhance overall service
• Applies understanding of commercial and financial principles to costing recommendations on more complex projects

Leadership:

• Apply research knowledge to ensure the best (most cost and time effective and efficient) delivery of research
• Be involved in complex / high profile studies to support managers towards the best (most effective and efficient) possible delivery
• Demonstrate excellence in technical research and marketing expertise to inspire both clients and team members
• Actively transfer learning to others
• Provide energy and drive to identify and exploit opportunities for new and innovative ways to answer clients’ needs
• Proactively responsible for own learning and development
• Promote team spirit
• Maintain personal well-being and balance
• Lead by example and live the company’s values

Brand interest and expertise:

• Brand domain knowledge (Brand guidance, brand strategy, equity model, key brand concepts, philosophies and point of views)
• Constant curiosity and self-learning to know more about brand and keep abreast of trends, philosophies and POVs
• Ability to recognise opportunities for brand domain applications and solutions in client conversations

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Relevant tertiary education (B.Com /Business Admin, B Bus Sc Marketing B. Bus Sci Marketing, Project Management / relevant degree pref)
• Good marketing (research) knowledge – at least 3-5 years’ experience
• Proven ability as a team manager
• Confident sales/ negotiation/ persuasion skills
• High level of business/client understanding and insight
• Must have a very good working and practical knowledge of the research process and marketing research
• Excellent client relationship development skills
• Nurture/develop team members through coaching and performance management