Account Manager

About AV Communications

AV Communications (AVC) is a Toronto-based multicultural marketing agency on a mission to create a more inclusive future through marketing. We help brands connect authentically with Canada's diverse communities through insight-driven strategy, creative, media and digital. AVC has been recognized as one of Canada's Top Growing Companies by The Globe and Mail's Report on Business for four consecutive years.

Job Description

ROLE OVERVIEW

We are looking for an experienced Account Manager or Senior Account Manager to lead day-to-day client relationships and ensure the successful delivery of integrated marketing and communications projects.

This person will act as a key link between clients and internal teams, translating business needs into clear briefs, keeping projects moving, managing expectations, and identifying opportunities to strengthen the client relationship and grow the business.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, commercially aware, proactive, and comfortable working across multiple projects, stakeholders, timelines, and priorities. For a Senior Account Manager, we expect greater independence in client leadership, stronger strategic and commercial judgment, and the ability to anticipate issues and opportunities before they arise.

Key Responsibilities

Client Relationship Management

Build strong, trusted relationships with day-to-day client stakeholders.

Develop a strong understanding of the client’s business, objectives, industry, customers, and competitive environment.

Act as a primary point of contact for assigned accounts and projects.

Manage client expectations clearly and professionally.

Anticipate client needs, risks, and potential issues rather than simply reacting to requests.

Ensure clients receive regular, clear, and proactive communication.

Handle challenging conversations, feedback, and changes in direction constructively.

Account & Project Leadership

Lead projects from briefing through delivery.

Translate client requests into clear and actionable internal briefs.

Coordinate internal teams including strategy, creative, production, media, digital, and external partners as required.

Establish timelines, responsibilities, milestones, and deliverables.

Maintain visibility on project status and ensure deadlines are met.

Identify risks early and develop solutions before they impact delivery.

Manage multiple projects and competing priorities effectively.

Ensure work is reviewed internally before being presented to clients.

Maintain accuracy and attention to detail across all client deliverables.

Strategic Thinking

Understand the business objective behind each client request.

Ask the right questions rather than simply taking orders.

Work with strategy and creative teams to ensure recommendations address the client’s actual business challenge.

Contribute perspective and ideas during planning and development.

Identify opportunities to improve the effectiveness of the work.

Help connect individual projects to the client’s broader business and marketing objectives.

Account Manager/ Senior Account Manager expectations:

Provide stronger strategic counsel to clients.

Challenge briefs constructively when appropriate.

Help shape account plans and longer-term client priorities.

Identify emerging client needs and opportunities proactively.

Commercial & Financial Management

Understand project scopes, budgets, estimates, and commercial commitments.

Work with internal teams to develop and manage cost estimates.

Track scope changes and identify potential scope creep.

Communicate additional costs or changes in scope clearly with clients.

Support accurate forecasting, billing, and reconciliation.

Maintain awareness of account profitability and resource requirements.

Account Manager / Senior Account Manager expectations:

Take greater ownership of account financial performance.

Identify opportunities for organic growth and expanded client engagements.

Support account planning, forecasting, and revenue development.

Cross-Functional Leadership

Bring clarity and direction to internal teams.

Ensure teams understand client objectives, priorities, and expectations.

Facilitate productive communication between clients and internal specialists.

Resolve obstacles and disagreements constructively.

Maintain momentum when projects become complex or ambiguous.

Build collaborative relationships across departments.

Protect the quality of the work while balancing client, timeline, budget, and resource considerations.

Team Development

Support and mentor junior account team members.

Delegate responsibilities appropriately while maintaining accountability.

Review work and provide clear feedback.

Help junior team members develop stronger client management and project leadership skills.

Account Manager / Senior Account Managers may also be expected to:

Supervise Account Executives or Account Managers.

Provide coaching and ongoing performance feedback.

Help allocate work and manage team capacity.

What We Are Looking For

Account Manager

Typically 3–5+ years of relevant agency, marketing, communications, or client-services experience, with demonstrated experience managing projects and client relationships.

Strong client communication skills.

Independent project ownership.

Excellent organization and attention to detail.

Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Strong judgment and problem-solving ability.

Experience working with cross-functional teams.

Confidence managing timelines, deliverables, and expectations.

Basic commercial awareness including budgets, estimates, and scope management.

Ability to communicate clearly in meetings, presentations, email, and written briefs.

A proactive mindset and ability to anticipate next steps.

Senior Account Manager

Typically 5–8+ years of relevant agency, marketing, communications, or client-services experience, with demonstrated responsibility for significant client relationships and complex projects.

Ability to independently lead important client relationships.

Strong senior stakeholder management.

Strategic thinking beyond project execution.

Strong commercial judgment and understanding of account profitability.

Experience managing complex or integrated programs.

Ability to identify growth opportunities within existing client relationships.

Confidence handling difficult client conversations.

Ability to guide and influence internal teams without relying solely on authority.

Experience mentoring or managing junior team members.

Strong ability to anticipate business issues, client needs, and delivery risks.

Core Competencies

Client Leadership — Builds trust, manages expectations, communicates effectively, and strengthens client relationships.

Project Ownership — Takes accountability for projects from briefing through completion and proactively keeps work moving.

Strategic Thinking — Understands the business problem behind the assignment and contributes thoughtful recommendations.

Communication — Communicates clearly, concisely, and appropriately with clients, colleagues, and senior stakeholders.

Commercial Awareness — Understands scope, budgets, estimates, profitability, and the commercial implications of decisions.

Problem Solving & Judgment — Identifies issues early, evaluates options, and makes sound decisions under pressure.

Prioritization — Balances competing projects, client requests, timelines, and internal resources effectively.

Cross-Functional Leadership — Brings teams together, creates clarity, and drives work forward across different disciplines.

Proactivity — Anticipates needs, risks, and next steps rather than waiting for direction.

Leadership & Development — For more senior candidates, demonstrates the ability to coach, delegate, provide feedback, and dev