Account Manager Print (Direct Mail)

We are looking for an experienced Print Direct Mail (DM) Account Manager, assisting in the processing of direct mail and general day-to-day print work passing through the team.
To ensure that all projects are delivered successfully, managing internal and external communications in an effective manner. This will entail briefing various departments within the company, from estimating, Data Comms Team, production, using in-house systems and standard workflow procedures. The ability to spot new commercial opportunities within the account is key to assist in driving growth.
An Account Manager must be able to work within a fast paced, high volume environment, and must be used to dealing with direct mail, data queries and ideally be used to liaising with a Production Team.
Responsibilities
* Assist with direct mail campaigns and end to end process from data, mailing components and delivery.
* Develop and maintain a rapport with key client stakeholders in order to manage expectations and ensure value added service provision. Deliver against client KPIs and other targets to meet contractual obligations
* Establish and maintain tactical relationships with day-to-day clients, applying a commercial and value added approach to client briefings, and ensure meaningful and timely communication.
* Manage end to end production workflow including associated communications with client, ensuring the quality procedures are followed throughout the production cycle, the delivery of product on time, and to specification and within budget.
* Support preparation for client contract monthly review meetings and client development opportunities.
* Engage with suppliers to ensure they work in partnership with us, promptly informing us of issues as they arise, and work in collaboration with us to decide any remedial actions.
* Ensure all production activity adheres to commercial strategy and guidelines.
* Delivers business and account objectives through adherence to business processes and systems
* Accurate estimating, invoicing and monthly budget reconciliation.
* Identify and maximise cost saving opportunities
* Ensures completed jobs are invoiced in the month they have been produced/delivered
* Understands client budgets to support the delivery of their campaigns
* Work with SAM to ensure month end MI is completed on time
Skills
* Ability to take client briefs and change requests via face to face or by email and manage client projects from brief through to production
* Ability to manage client expectations around timescales and deliverables
* Understanding of Data, direct mail production desirable as well as overall print production.
* Clear understanding of data management, data processing principles and confident in using computerised systems
* Understanding of contract requirements: commercial pricing structure, SLA’s and measurement
* Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, and ability to work independently
* Proactive approach – always willing to learn and working to improve processes to ensure efficiency for the business
* Ability to communicate efficiently and build rapport with departments across the wider business
* People Management skills are key as you will be required to liaise with colleagues within your account team as well as liaising with internal departments and Client Contacts
* Manage workload effectively, seeking opportunities to expand knowledge, grow and develop.
* Flexible in your approach to workload and task allocation to ensure client demands are met