Description

The Account Relationship Specialist position assists The Post and Courier Columbia / Free Times’ advertising sales team with administrative sales functions and account fulfillment in order to maximize selling time and revenue generation. The Account Relationship Specialist is responsible for and not limited to assisting the sales team in the day-to-day activities of the department by performing clerical functions such as record keeping, correspondence, ad/billing entry, ad creative proofing, account communication, contract and sales maintenance, and other clerical and administrative functions. The Account Relationship Specialist will have a direct relationship with advertising clients to ensure a positive customer experience and successful campaign.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage new and existing accounts with a focus on delivering first class customer service, client satisfaction and retention. Help create digital solutions that meet and exceed our clients’ expectations by delivering the right results at the right time.
• Provide administrative assistance to account executives, sales managers and advertising management in order to maximize their time selling and generating revenue.

• Order ads in ad billing system
• Handle all creative work for account list; requesting proofs through creative system, uploading camera-ready artwork, etc.
• Complete paperwork, such as client information for account set up, data for client profiles, adjustments and contracts.
• Assist in preparation of custom sales presentations at the request of account executives and sales managers
• Manage ongoing client digital marketing campaigns by submitting insertion orders to set campaigns live, submitting revision tickets, requesting digital creative, requesting reporting, etc.
• Task management and project management for advertising-related initiatives
• Assist in readers’ choice programs and other interactive contests and initiatives
• Manage ad fulfillment for special sections and other unique print publications produced by The Post and Courier Columbia and Free Times
• Keep sales team updated with all sales materials and premium positions.
• Research account history including revenue information, trends and billing issues.
• Assist with rate referrals, product information, billing disputes, ad insertion orders and other client questions or concerns in a pro-active, positive manner.
• Investigate problems and inquiries with appropriate departments to resolve client issues and report the results to the appropriate sales executive and manager.
• Provide quality customer service to all accounts from the initiation of the ad, through publication and follow-up on results primarily through phone and email communication
• Assist in managing and completing reports in a timely manner as requested.
• Manage account list’s aging report and all necessary billing collections in partnership with corporate collections team
• Request digital campaign reports and share with clients as needed.
• Attend sales meetings and training sessions as requested to obtain essential job information.
• Attend events and networking opportunities on behalf of The Post and Courier Columbia and Free Times
• Log all communication in Hubspot CRM
• Keep team updated on changes in product or process. Assist in the organization of team information and documents.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Requirements, minimum education level, and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two year of sales, marketing or customer service experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills plus ability to multi-task
• Attention to detail, deadlines and problem solving skills
• Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Ability to change priorities and keep on schedule in a fast-paced environment
• Proven Track record of excellence in administrative support
• Proficiency in MS Office – Word, Excel, PowerPoint

Physical Requirement, Work Environment and Travel:

Regularly required to sit for long periods of time; close eye work on computer screen; required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, bend and stoop; light to moderate lifting 15-30 pounds.

The worker is frequently subject to inside environmental conditions, which provide protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes, and is sometimes subject to outside environmental conditions.

Some local travel will be required.