Communications Associate Director

Profile

Founded in 1984, APCO Worldwide is an award-winning, independently owned global communication and business strategy firm with offices in major cities throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. APCO combines a global perspective with local expertise to help clients around the world manage challenges, opportunities, perceptions and reputations. APCO clients include corporations and governments; industry associations and nonprofit organizations; and many of the top companies on the Fortune 500. The firm is a majority women-owned businessThe Associate Account Director is primarily responsible for managing client relationship(s), client projects by supervising project teams and delegate projects and tasks effectively.  The Associate Director is responsible for identifying the strategy which supports the client’s objectives, develops communication plans, properly scoping and pricing of work, as well as managing work activities and resources within agreed upon budgets. The Associate Account Director should identify and pursue opportunities for new business , show demonstrated strategic abilities, and have strong written and verbal communication skills.  Primary Duties and ResponsibilitiesASSOCIATE DIRECTOR DUTIES:Manages independently Client relationships to build confidence in APCO as a trusted business partner, while preserving APCO’s interest in the business relationshipOrganizes teams around business development opportunities and manage proposal process ensuring quality of thinking, APCO’s work standards, and accurate scoping of workDevelops positive reputation and has visibility in within the APCO network and be viewed as a thought leader in the marketEstablishes strong network across APCO and engages in productive exchanges with colleagues to promote knowledge sharing and business opportunitiesLeads confidently internal and external client meetings, offering knowledgeable observations and suggestions; establishing credibility by insights shared; encouraging and motivating others to communicate ideasServes as principal client contact; knows when to leverage senior level relationships within APCO to further build the relationship within the client organizationNetworks actively to identify new business prospects as routine activityDemonstrates consistently APCO’s values in all interactions with colleagues, vendors and clientsProactively identifies external meetings and trainings to attend to enhance sector knowledge and contactsDemonstrates an understanding of effective project management, can effectively address issues, and understands how managing account engagements tie to APCO’s business success and makes changes as necessary to improve account performanceParticipates in annual business planning, forecasting opportunity with clients managedTakes ownership and actively engages in team member development; demonstrating thoughtful planning to increase individual skill sets by setting smart objectivesMeets or exceeds assigned utilization/AIP targetsDemonstrates performance in growing clients organically and actively pursues new opportunities with prospectsShares opportunities across the network looking for the best resources to service the account (s)CLIENT RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENTDevelops relationship of trust with clientsProvides constructive advice and counsel about client issues and, when appropriate, to clientsEnsures agreement with client at the outset of what can be expected and within agreed timescalesSeeks client input to better understand needs and develops ideas for how to meet those needsCommunicates with clients on priorities and deliverables, and ensures team is up to date and has the information required to meet client needsAdjusts to changes in scope initiated by client and communicates effectively to project teamCautions clients about possible risks or downsides to certain courses of actionAddresses dissatisfied client or issues by remaining calm and professionalAnticipates clients’ needs and makes recommendations/proposals that reflect understanding of client issuesStrives to meet and exceed client expectations and instills the same across the teamAdjusts to changes in scope initiated by client and communicates effectively to project teamTEAMWORKCreates environment making all team members feel they are important contributorsLeads by example and demonstrates respect for all colleagues ensuring team members also understand need for culture of respectConducts inclusive team meetings and fosters an environment where participating is encouraged/expected.Communicates and shares individual and team goalsSets expectations for team achievementsDemonstrates appreciation of diversity on teams, and sees this as a strength to the teamACCOUNT & PROJECT MANAGEMENTManages self and team to ensure that projects are progressing on schedule as expectedEnsures teams have skills and knowledge to deliver to clients expectationsIdentifies resource needs for projectsRecognizes in good time when a task will not be completed within an agreed and expected timeframe and makes necessary changes to ensure client deliverables are not compromisedEffectively manages workload for self and team; helps more junior colleagues prioritize work if necessary.Reports budget variances in timely mannerCompletes pre-bill and client billing review responsibilities in time frames as determined by financeManages client expectations for deliverablesEffectively delegates tasks to team members in order to meet project objectives/milestones and deliverablesAssigns realistic workloadsBUSINESS MANAGEMENTAnalyses client requirements to scope opportunity and budget projects effectively and profitablyUses tools to review project and account performance, making adjustments as necessary to achieve account performance expectationsDemonstrates understanding of office/practice business strategies and imparts to team members and more junior colleagues.Sets self and team priorities on work that accurately reflect needs of business and clientsEnsures projects are billed accurately, and communicates to team members as need to ensure they have accurate budget and deadline information for their tasksConsiders, and where appropriate, notifies management of potential opportunities, risks or challenges that could impact the business.LEADERSHIPProvides effective and timely feedback regarding team member’s performanceEncourages innovation and new ideasAllows individuals the autonomy to perform their jobsShares knowledge, experience and expertise to assist project membersAdopts an appropriate and tailored coaching style when managing staffProvides positive and constructive feedback to their team membersDemonstrates behaviours in line with APCO’s values in their interactions with colleagues, vendors and clients.Openly values diverse views and opinionsRespects and responds to diverse views, opinions and ideasSupports company initiatives and communicates value to team membersIdentifies talent within their team and recognizes their contributionsBUSINESS DEVELOPMENTActively participates in pitches and demonstrates knowledge of issues by contributing ideas and strategy to proposals and drafting RFPsActively participates in professional organization/networks by attending events/volunteering as appropriateDevelops network of professional contactsDemonstrates knowledge of APCO's service offering by providing innovative ideas for growing existing business into other practice areas or finding new business. Actively seeks knowledge about other service offeringsContributes to proposals by committing to specific time and deliverables and balancing those against existing obligationsDemonstrates understanding of new business goals and objectives for the of department/practice areas/officeEncourages team members to work with colleagues and readily share contacts/opportunities as appropriate across the businessPROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTDemonstrates commitment to the importance of professional growth for themselves and their team membersParticipates in professional organizations (industry, sector, function) to maintain awareness of important issues and to build professional networkCoaches and develops team members and shares knowledge and feedback with othersHas active personal development plan for self and team members; sets smart objectives.Seeks feedback from others for own self development plansActively participates in opportunities available to increase team knowledge and skillsAllows team members time to attend internal and external trainingAttends external events and networksAD-Hocks Assignment/reports:As per the Direct Manager’s requestsCompetenciesClient relationship skillsCustomer service skillsLeadership skillsDecision making skillsAnalytical skillsRequirementsBachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Mass Communications, or Equivalent6-8 years relevant experience in a consulting firm, corporation, diplomatic post or media roleMedia Relations and writing content experience Fluent in EnglishWork ConditionsThe physical abilities needed to perform the duties of this position, in addition to the office climate:Office environment is general office settingSome travel may be requiredMust reside in Dubai or be willing to relocateWilling to work additional or irregular hours as needed and allowed by local regulationsAbout APCO Worldwide In MENAHome to some of the fastest growing economies in the world, the Middle East and North Africa region has a pivotal role to play in driving global conversations – from environmental policies to religion and pop culture. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are clear leaders in this equation, although the wave of innovation continues to transcend borders.APCO launched its regional operations in 2006 in Dubai. Growing from a team of less than 10 consultants, APCO today has over 200 people from 26 countries working in teams across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Manama and Kuwait and our projects take us to countries across the region and the Levant. APCO was awarded Best Agency in the Middle East by PRWeek in 2019 and Best Agency to Work for: EMEA Network by PRovoke Media in 2017 and 2019.With a portfolio of over 100 clients, APCO’s MENA offices deliver public relations and digital communication support across health, food, consumer & retail, finance, technology, real estate & hospitality, non-profit and public affairs practices. The region also offers specialized services, created for the Middle East, such as our Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model and our Compass and License to Operate offerings.In addition, APCO’s global AI Comms Lab, a first-of-its-kind innovation center which utilizes artificial intelligence to build and protect the reputations of major global brands, governments and organizations is driven from the Dubai office.From helping governments connect with the private sector and civil society, to supporting the Pope’s historic visit to the region and launching iconic brands and destinations, we understand the nuances of the MENA region and pride ourselves on making an impact

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