About the Role

We’re on the lookout for a client-focused, strategic-minded individual to join an existing account team in our Columbia, Mo., office to lead our clients’ charge toward content marketing greatness. As an account strategist, you’ll function as your account team’s project manager, driver of account growth, and client communicator. You’ll also serve as a consultant on content marketing for your clients.

Starting salary: $36,500-$38,000

Employer-sponsored healthcare: $5,500 value

Variable compensation opportunities after completion of your first 60 days

About You

You are a transparent communicator. Our clients aren’t big on surprises, and neither are we! As an account strategist, you will set clear expectations with clients from the beginning of the relationship. You are open and honest with them when it comes to what solutions we can provide. You are a creative thinker who can solve problems in unique ways, and you are always able to provide the “why” behind the team’s decisions. At times, you have to have tough conversations with clients. However, even if these feel intimidating, you’re able to overcome the challenge and know that you will be supported by your team.

Part of the client communication you will be leading is showcasing ROI through metrics, proof points, and data. We have an excellent digital marketing department for you to collaborate with to generate this information, but as the account strategist, you will be sharing this information with your clients. There will be plenty of training in this area, but we also want individuals to be comfortable having data-driven conversations.

This high level of communication isn’t just reserved for your clients. You also keep your team informed of changing client goals or business objectives. You help to guide any updates to the overall strategy through constant communication with your team and other departments.

You thrive in a good brainstorming session. We include “strategist” in the job title for a reason! As an account strategist, you are an integral part of developing the overall strategy for your clients. You’ll collaborate with a content strategist and an editor to build a custom solution for each client that focuses on how content marketing can propel their business forward. No two clients are the same, and we don’t provide cookie-cutter packages. To keep up with the ever-changing landscape of content marketing, you are a learner and someone who researches new opportunities for clients.

You’re committed to crossing items off your to-do list. You are detail-oriented and can manage time effectively. Some clients are going to require more attention than others, and there will always be something popping up to commandeer your attention. You are a flexible individual who doesn’t buckle under the pressure of ever-changing client needs. This role might feel chaotic at times, but you develop strategies to manage it. You have a strong ability to prioritize and ensure your team is focusing on the appropriate projects and deadlines.

Being a top-notch project manager is in your repertoire, but you are so much more than that. You stay updated on the latest trends in content marketing and are able to educate clients on additional avenues they can pursue with their content. You are willing to say no to a client, and you do so with a reason and another idea to back up your decision. Clients are coming to us in hopes of positioning themselves as experts in their fields, but we are the experts in content marketing and how it can drive business results. As an account strategist, you are regularly providing insights and consultation to your clients.

You’re great at relationship-building. You have experience creating, maintaining, and growing client accounts. You are the person who asks about a client’s kids or how the house hunt is going. Relationship-building doesn’t stop at our external clients, though. You also collaborate with your team and build strong working relationships across departments.

You are organized. Keeping track of approximately 15-20 clients per month can be overwhelming, but you’re able to stay on top of it and maintain a high level of organization to keep things running smoothly and to keep potential overwhelm at bay.

So what does the account strategist role look like in real time? Let’s break down the first year. Please note: This is a rough timeline, as we know not everyone operates at the same pace. As long as we’re in communication, we will do our best to support your unique pace.

At the 30-day mark, we expect account strategists to have an understanding of Influence & Co.’s content creation process and service lines, as well as content marketing as an industry. Don’t worry — you will receive plenty of training on all of these! You will also start being introduced to your clients during this time. You’ll work closely with your team’s editor and content strategist to learn about each client’s company, goals, communication styles, success metrics, etc.

At the 60-day mark, you will feel comfortable using our content creation platform, ICo. Core, as well as other tech solutions involved in your job (Toggl, Slack, and Google Drive, to name a few). By this time, you will have a working knowledge of your clients. You will have had the opportunity to sit in on calls and listen to recordings, and you’ll begin to feel comfortable taking on client communication. You will also have foundational knowledge about the other departments within Influence & Co. and how everyone collaborates.

Once you’ve reached 90 days in your role, we expect individuals to function in their roles with support. We never expect questions to stop, especially right after your initial new hire training concludes! We try to prepare you to tackle things on your own and as a team, but we don’t expect you to know everything at 90 days. We want you to be proficient on the tech side of things and feel confident in your ability to lead calls with clients. At this point, you will know the content marketing funnel like the back of your hand. However, we still expect and encourage you to look to your direct support and team for guidance when it comes to tricky client situations.

At six months, you are cruising right along! You know your clients well and have experience onboarding new clients. You are an excellent project manager and have the ability to keep your team and clients on track to meet your goals. You’re still pulling in support on those new-to-you situations, and you haven’t quite mastered the consultant side of the role, but you’re getting there. You are brainstorming with the team and crafting creative solutions for your clients.

It’s now been one year. You’re getting a “Happy Workiversary!” shout-out and maybe a little gift to mark this milestone. You’ve been empowered to bring your own ideas to the table, not just relaying what the client wants to do. You have a strong understanding of processes, but you’re also able to be flexible and creative. When you ask for help these days, you’re also contributing to possible solutions. You have found your place here at Influence & Co. and are looking ahead, perhaps to a senior certification.