Advertising account executive

Advertising account executive job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Advertising account handlers are employed by advertising agencies to administer the accounts of a small number of clients (between one and five companies), for whom they are the key contact. They are required to know the client and understand exactly what it is that they do and what it is that they want to sell. Their responsibilities could include:

• consult clients about campaign requirements
• pass proposals to appropriate media/creative staff
• agree time-scales
• monitor work progress
• deliver final products for review
• report writing
• staff supervision
• financial administration.

The work can be pressurised with tight deadlines. Salaries range from £20,000 to £35,000. Some account executives are paid a commission as part of their salary. Promotion is normally into senior managerial positions such as account manager or managing executive.

Typical employers of advertising account executives

Advertising account executives are typically employed in the media, or with advertising agencies. Specialist publications advertising vacancies include: Campaign, Marketing, The Drum, Media Week and Marketing Week.

Qualifications and training required

Any degree subject is acceptable for entry into the profession, but business, marketing, or management degrees can be particularly helpful. Employers often value appropriate skills and personality more highly than relevant work experience. It is important, however, to have a good appreciation of what working within the advertising industry involves.

Key skills for advertising account executives

• commercially aware
• confidence
• the ability to cope with pressure
• good teamworking skills
• effective organisational abilities.