Client Engagement & Communications Manager

Hi from Yellow Duck Marketing!

We are a niche marketing agency, headquartered in Charlotte, specializing in branding, marketing research, web design, messaging, community outreach and marketing strategies. We serve a wide range of clients––large and small––with a wingspan from the Carolinas to Washington and clients from California to Massachusetts specifically focused on real estate, nonprofits and municipal work that help shape our communities we call home and beyond.

Our responsive, collaborative and passionate team delivers integrated and inspired marketing solutions for our clients who we strive to turn into raving fans.  You’ll also find that the Ducks believe in doing good and having fun—if you value the same, you’ll thrive here. We encourage giving back to the community and engage in volunteering both in our time and pro bono work for some amazing organizations each year.

About this position

The Client Engagement & Communications Manager will function as a jack of all trades in terms of account management, communications support and business development. The person in this role enjoys variety in their day-to-day and will split their time between managing client accounts, driving new business initiatives, and supporting PR and communications efforts. This hybrid role includes PR account management; developing and executing PR strategies alongside our Sr. PR Specialist; overseeing commercial real estate (and ideally hotel) marketing; crafting and managing new business pitches, proposal writing, RFPs and award submissions; and periodically coordinating event planning and communications. The ideal candidate will excel in client relations, strategic development, communications and business development.

The position serves as a highly polished, responsive and detail-oriented resource and project leader for the client and members of the team. This role benefits from previous experience in a fast-paced agency environment ideally managing branding, graphic design, PR and digital advertising campaigns and projects from inception to completion, with excellent problem solving and stellar organizational and communication skills. Being able to craftfully talk about the work that the agency does, the value we add and selling that work will translate well in both the new business development and client account management functions of this role.

Core Functions

• Client Account Management: Lead and manage key client accounts, ensuring exceptional service and satisfaction, hopefully driving to increase revenues per client through upsell opportunities. Develop and implement strategic plans to achieve client goals and drive growth. Draft well-organized creative briefs that effectively communicate the desired deliverables to the internal team.
• PR & Communications Development: Support the creation and execution of public relations strategies through codifying strategy documents and pitches for client review. Write press releases, support our Sr. PR Specialist as needed on media relations, and enhance client visibility. Provide copywriting and communications strategy support to various projects as needed perhaps outside real estate industry.
• Commercial Real Estate Marketing: Oversee marketing for commercial real estate projects or contribute, as needed, to successfully executing specific commercial, multifamily and masterplan community marketing initiatives which might include a variety of areas such as PR, Social, Event Strategy, Influencer Partnerships, digital efforts and more. Account management of these efforts might include coordinating branding, collateral, strategic plans and more.
• New Business Development: Identify and pursue new business opportunities. Write and manage proposals, RFPs and award submissions to attract and secure new clients. Contribute to blog and social content to help inbound leads, email campaigns and more.
• Event Planning & Support: Plan and coordinate events including client meetings, industry conferences and promotional activities. Ensure smooth execution and logistics for successful events.
• Special Projects: Support on and/or lead special projects as determined by agency leadership. This could include business development efforts, volunteer or community relations efforts, or existing client love business development initiatives, etc.

The Successful Candidate Will…

• Be someone who can bring ideas to the table and enjoys thinking up new ways to support their client
• Ideally have a background in real estate marketing, municipal, tourism or nonprofit work, or a strong interest in learning.
• Love making “the sale” and championing great work by listening to prospective clients’ needs and providing solutions, but not consider themselves or come across as salesly.
• Enjoy leading meetings and able to lead conversations with confidence with both internal and external partners.
• Have solid experience working with branding and creative designers.
• Love to manage projects (both big and small) from initial conversations and ideation through the active work stage, presenting our ideas and deliverables, and completion.
• Be comfortable with collaborating with many team members of all different personalities.

Who You Are

• You are highly organized with a strategic mindset, and you have a healthy mix of these qualities:
• You’re self-motivated and driven to hit goals on a regular basis.
• You’d describe yourself as a lifelong learner and are always seeking out answers and new information. You also are never afraid to raise your hand and ask questions to help get the job done and progress things forward.
• You derive satisfaction from managing teams toward pre-planned goals.
• You have a for-the-team mentality, love jumping in to help others and could never say something like “that’s not my job.”
• You proactively and clearly communicate with both clients and internal team members.
• You have a real estate, tourism, nonprofit or municipal-related background and an interest in, and aptitude for, producing creative marketing solutions.
• You confidently lead meetings (internal and external) to achieve goal outcomes and keep projects and meeting participants on task.
• You ask great questions and are curious.
• You are agile and can adjust gears to go with the flow as needed.
• You are detailed-oriented and balance a hint of perfectionism with the grace to speak positively as you encourage resources to deliver great work.
• You think on the fly and can articulate your ideas in real time, and with clarity.
• You like being an integral part of a team.
• You are a great communicator and can influence people to get on board with your ideas.
• You monitor out-of-scope requests, and tactfully initiate additional estimates and approvals in advance.

Education & Training

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications or a related field
• Minimum 5 years’ experience as an account manager in a PR, communications, marketing or advertising agency setting required
• Experience tracking time in a project management system.
• Proven success in new business development, including writing and managing proposals and RFPs.
• Strong background in PR strategy, release writing, and media relations.
• Experience in commercial real estate marketing is a plus.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a hybrid work environment.
• Experience managing graphic design or website projects is a plus.
• Expertise in Microsoft Office (Powerpoint, Outlook and Excel).

Why Join Us

• Innovative Environment: Collaborate with a creative and forward-thinking team.
• Career Growth: Access opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
• Dynamic Projects: Engage in diverse projects across various industries.
• Hybrid Work: Enjoy a flexible work arrangement with both remote and on-site options.
• Competitive Salary & Benefits: Receive a comprehensive benefits package and competitive compensation.

Working Conditions

Working conditions are normal for an office environment. Work may require occasional evening work or occasional weekend work. Work may require very occasional overnight travel. This job is Full-Time status with 40 hours a week and an average of 1 day in the office expected per quarter, but this is flexible depending on client project needs.

Benefits

After the first full month of employment, we offer health benefits with a 90% employer contribution to health insurance through Aetna and discounted vision, dental and other insurance types. Employer provides short-term disability coverage. We provide (tax-free) cell and internet reimbursement and a Safe Harbor 401k, matching up to 4% of your salary. Professional growth and improvement opportunities, as well as physical/mental health wellness programs such as a quarterly mental health day are also included.

Reports to: Director of Account Services

How to Apply

Interested parties should send a cover letter, resume and salary requirements to careers@yellowduckmarketing.com