This role is 100% office-based — no hybrid, no remote

Client Services Manager / Account Manager needed

We’re a design agency. We make things look good, work well, and keep clients smiling. Right now, we need a Client Services Manager / Account Manager — basically, someone who can keep all the plates spinning without breaking a sweat (or at least without showing it).

Here’s the deal: you’ll be the go-to person for our clients. You’ll get to know their businesses inside out, make sure their projects land on time, on budget, and looking brilliant. You’ll brief our creative team (in plain English, not riddles), keep everything moving, proof the final work so it’s typo-free, and occasionally work your magic on quotes and budgets.

This role is 100% office-based — no hybrid, no remote. We believe the best work happens when we’re together, bouncing ideas around and sharing biscuits.

Purpose:

To retain and grow Zap’s clients through proactive account management, and smooth efficient workflow.

 

Role and responsibilities:

Your primary responsibilities are client satisfaction and increasing sales. Organised, client-focused and an adaptable team player you’ll shape and deliver projects for our clients, bring them in on time and on budget, to the expected standard, and contribute to the overall growth of the agency.

Client relationship management:

  • Act as the main point of contact for clients in your portfolio, while building and maintaining strong relationships.
  • Understand each client’s business, objectives, and challenges in order to make informed recommendations.
  • Ensure there is regular, proactive communication with your clients.
  • Support the MD on new business pitches and relationship building as required.
  • Protect and represent the interests of your clients within the studio.

People & resource management:

  • Monitor studio progress and re-prioritise throughout the day as required.
  • Be the point of contact for freelance resource. Schedule and manage their time as required.
  • Manage, mentor and motivate your Client Services Assistant, providing support and regular feedback.
  • Contribute towards the career development needs of the team.

Project management:

  • Be the key point of contact between your clients and the studio, and ensure the whole process as smooth and easy as possible for them.
  • Take project requirements from the client and write internal briefs so requirements, including time allocations, are clearly communicated to the team.
  • Collaborate with the team to define the approach needed, what the campaign deliverables are and the timelines that need to be met.
  • Coordinate the delivery of campaigns and ensure that we meet all client objectives and deadlines.
  • Oversee the amends process, carrying out checks to ensure accuracy and consistency.
  • Ensure final deliverables have been through the studio QA process
  • Proof read all final deliverables.
  • Where required manage the print procurement and production process.
  • Review and report on the actual time spent versus the estimated time.
  • Produce reports as required.

Budget management:

  • Provide clients with accurate cost estimates and quotes for all deliverables, and keep them updated.
  • Contribute to forecasting client spend on a quarterly basis.
  • Review monthly client spend against forecast and propose actions to be taken.
  • Track project time and expenses, and maintain financial records.

About you

We’ve already said you’ll need to be organised, client-focused and an adaptable team player. In addition:

  • You’ll have at least two years of experience in an agency environment or a client facing role.
  • Have the ability to multitask and meet deadlines while handling multiple clients with changing priorities.
  • Be eagle eyed and have the ability to spot a typo at ten paces.
  • Be a clear and confident communicator – in writing and in person.
  • Comfortable chatting
  • Understand client profitability and be able to demonstrate commercial awareness.
  • Methodical and very organised. Pragmatic. Take control of projects under tight deadlines, manage expectations and handle pressure well.
  • A natural problem solver with a ‘can do’ attitude.
  • Excellent at communication and have strong organisational skills.
  • A team player.
  • An eye for detail and design would be a big advantage.

About us

Established in 2011, Zap are a small but perfectly formed creative studio based in Hythe, Southampton. Design led and independently owned, we’re a relaxed team who are passionate about what we do, working in an enjoyable and open environment. Our work is diverse, and we love it. We work with an eclectic range of clients, from plucky start ups and billion dollar global brands, and everything in between. It results in a beautifully combusted and varied mix of creative work, across a wide range of sectors. 

About the opportunity

It’s an exciting time to join our well established and growing team. You’ll reap the benefits of their years of experience working with top names and learning from a fantastic team of designers. With plenty of variety, responsibility and new challenges, this is a role for someone wanting to step up and really raise their game.

– Private healthcare

– Eyecare and dental

– Training opportunities

– Excellent holiday inc Christmas to New Year shut down

– Staff outings

– New Forest location (the role is working from our office in Hythe, Southampton)

– Design for Good programme to support worthy causes

Apply now

To apply, please email your CV and portfolio to the address below, as well as some detail on what you feel you can offer. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to undertake a short development task.

iwanttowork@zapcreative.co.uk

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