Senior Account Manager / Account Manager - Tobacco / FMCG

Who We Are:

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse. 

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences.  Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work. 

VML Hong Kong is a full-service activation agency based in K11 Atelier, Quarry Bay. Our diverse teams hail from all around the world, particularly from Hong Kong and across Asia Pacific. We deliver integrated thinking that moves people, through creativity fuelled by behavioural insights. Our clients range from global to regional and local, across a range of categories such as consumer electronics, FMCG, liquor and tobacco.

Who we're looking for:

We are looking for a Senior Account Manager (SAM) to work alongside the Account Director (AD) to manage accounts on a day-to-day basis, efficiently coordinating with all agency departments and responding to client requests.

Operating their team as an individual business unit, the SAM oversees creative development from initial client brief through to final production, while managing job cost reports and client invoices. The role includes mentoring Account Executives and Account Managers, providing guidance and supervision to ensure proper account administration, including WIPs and estimates.

The SAM must be capable of managing issues independently and should instil confidence in both the creative team and clients through their ability to handle challenges effectively.

Working with our client involves collaboration within an integrated team across the agency business, focusing on the development of brand and trade campaigns while managing both internal and external stakeholders.

Key responsibilities include managing pipeline forecasting and reporting, account planning, and ensuring the professional execution and timely delivery of client projects in full.

What you'll need:

• Relevant tertiary qualification
• 5+ years’ experience in advertising and communications in an agency environment, in-house marketing or equivalent
• Experience working on global or regional accounts preferred, esp. in tobacco or FMCG
• Experience working on brand identity and guidelines a big plus
• Effective in end-to-end project management for 360 campaigns, incl. writing creative briefs, planning project timelines, and managing all internal and external stakeholders involved, incl. managing 3rd party suppliers through to production and execution
• Knowledge & experience in managing artwork development, print and video pre to post production, incl. managing vendors to ensure OTIF delivery and updating clients periodically
• Experience and knowledge in physical production (esp. 2D print materials, POSM, retail furniture, packaging) strongly preferred
• Highly proficient in PowerPoint/ Keynote and experience delivering presentations in a proficient and confident manner.
• Experience and success establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders including the creative team, the Client/s and third-party suppliers
• Less experience will be considered as Account Manager

Who you are:

• Leadership: you model behaviour that inspires others towards excellence and to upholding the shared vision of the team and organisation
• Commitment to excellence: professionalism and quality underpins all that you do. You demonstrate enthusiasm and pride in ensuring that all outputs reflect or exceed best practice (internal and external) and you strive to improve yourself and the organisation. You promote the exchange of information about successes and lessons and encourage your colleagues to do the same. You have the ability to see the ‘bigger picture’ and understand and contribute to longer term objectives, while still delivering day-to-day excellence
• Creative thinking: you are entrepreneurial, you regularly demonstrate initiative and innovation in your thoughts and actions and you recognise and maximise opportunities for the Client/s, the organisation and your team
• Inspiring relationships – the quality of your work and your interpersonal skills inspire confidence in all key stakeholders, internal and external. You actively foster respectful, productive and supportive working relationships within the organisation and with the Client/s
• Quality in communication: you speak and write English and Cantonese clearly and to a high professional standard (in addition, proficiency in spoken Mandarin strongly preferred). You are confident, articulate and respectful and interested in the views of others. You make appropriate contributions to team discussions and contribute to a positive team spirit.

#LI-APAC

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers. 

VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn, and X. 

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