This position has been created to lead the development of the Shopper Marketing Practice in Toronto with current clients and developing new business opportunities and relationships. The position will require close collaboration with Chicago’s client service and shopper marketing planning teams. Reporting to the VP, Client Development (Toronto) and Managing Partner, Shopper Marketing (Chicago), the primary responsibility of the incumbent will be to manage organic growth responsibilities for a current client relationship in the alcoholic beverage category (about 20% of time) and grow the Agency’s prospective shopper marketing clients in the Canadian market. The ideal candidate for this position is entrepreneurial and has a passion for driving business growth within a retail/shopper marketing discipline.
Who are you?
- You have a post-secondary education in marketing or related field
- 7-10+ years experience working in agency account management, retail marketing or merchandising, consumer promotions packaged goods marketing, retail activation, or a combination of these
- Experience in agency or services business development or sales experience in shopper marketing
- Strong knowledge of retailer strategies, particularly as they relate to retailer equity and shopper acquisition, shopper loyalty and retail marketing
- Key understanding of Shopper-based principles and messaging strategies as they relate to consumer packaged goods
- Experience managing client budgets, billing, and timelines
- Experience and success in new business creation
- Strong client facing skills and the ability to communicate with confidence
- An outstanding relationship builder with strong conceptual selling skills
- Must be able to think strategically and is a solutions-focused thinker
- Strong attention to detail, consistently striving to ensure the overall quality of the company’s success
- Highly organized with an ability to work independently, under tight deadlines and shifting priorities
- Excellent interpersonal skills with a strong desire to share knowledge and work in a collaborative and collegial environment
- Excellent presentation skills—ability to develop and deliver inspiring presentations
- Knowledge in digital and mobile marketing would be an asset
- Professional and presentable with a strong business acumen
- Key understanding of retailers and channels within which they play
What does the job entail?
This newly created position reports to the Managing Partner, and will have a pivotal role in driving and developing the CRM Shopper’s Marketing Practice for Canada & the US.
Essential Functions
- This position is primarily focused on revenue and bottom line growth through both organic and new business opportunities to support the agency’s Shopper Marketing practice. This is the lead Shopper Marketing position in Toronto
- Identifies and leads the development of winning solutions for shopper marketing and retail promotional opportunities with consumer packaged goods and/or retail industry prospects, carrying that effort through transaction
- As a domain expert utilizing thinking from the Chicago Shopper Marketing practice, assists in the development of the agency’s promotional shopper marketing value proposition, messaging and sales/marketing materials
- Assists in the development of presentations, proposals and contracts for new clients with the goal of securing new Shopper Marketing revenue and growing the practice
- Leads and manages existing and newly-secured client projects acting as the primary interface between mid-level client-side contacts and relevant agency departments in both Toronto and Chicago
- Coordinates and manages agency resources for client projects ensuring that all client needs are being met, managing client budgets and producing internal and external status reports
- Develops project and creative briefs based on client/agency input
- Leads meetings (internal and client) and delivers presentations clearly, effectively and with confidence
- Maintains awareness of industry trends, events, news and emerging new business opportunities for the North America promotions and shopper marketing practices
Uses interpersonal understanding to build constructive relationships. Demonstrates high levels of respect and integrity with dealing with others. Works collaboratively to achieve mutually successful outcomes; quickly becomes viewed as a valuable team member; cultivates a network of healthy relationships across the business
