The account executive (AE) is responsible for the organization and execution of projects from start to finish. Account executives work closely with account coordinators and account managers to maintain and track projects, ensuring they move through Woodruff’s processes smoothly and efficiently. They identify issues, problem solve and implement improvements for efficiency and better outcomes. They manage scopes of work and client budgets. The Account Executive develops a deep understanding of our clients’ businesses. This AE candidate should have a strong understanding of crop protection in the U.S. market, specifically in the row crop category.

This person could be located in Kansas City, MO; Columbia, MO; or remote.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Account Management

• Accurately captures client conversation notes and creates project input for internal teams. Clearly outlines clients’ desired outcomes and POV to help Woodruff teams approach projects.
• Sets clear expectations with clients and internal teams. Proactively identifies and solves problems.
• Captures details, questions, next steps and timing from internal discussions and facilitates internal communication to ensure everyone is on the same page. Organizes information in a timely, clear and concise manner.
• Develops documents and communications that guide projects internally, including job input forms, kickoff and status documents, meeting notes and Basecamp posts.
• Coordinates meetings, including developing agendas, setting up calendar invitations and appropriate technology, securing rooms, recording notes, action items and next steps. Recaps discussions through Wrike posts or other internal communications. Facilitates meetings when appropriate.
• Works with Project Managers to develop project timelines. Monitors progress from start to finish to ensure projects are moving through Woodruff’s processes smoothly.
• Contributes to job status reports; works with Account Coordinator to ensure accuracy and timeliness. Leads status meetings with internal and external teams.
• Regularly updates account team and clients on the progress of each project. Understands workflows and helps plan for additional projects as they come in.
• Reviews all work prior to sending or presenting to clients to ensure accuracy based on Woodruff teams’ and clients’ input.
• Reviews and proofs media plans, and distributes insertion and materials due dates to internal teams.
• Develops and/or edits documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Enters information into a variety of formats such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Apps, Keynote, etc., and works with account coordinator to ensure client and project information organized and easily accessible.
• Contributes to agency projects as requested. Carries out action items assigned, follows through and reports on outcomes to supervisor or other project stakeholders, supports team members as assigned.

Client Relationships & Business Growth

• Becomes familiar with clients’ business needs by researching their industries, competitors, products, technologies and trends. Understands clients’ internal structures, teams and individual needs as well as their personal preferences. Shares this information with team members.
• Understands how clients take their products and/or services to market, and how Woodruff’s capabilities and services can help them.
• Regularly tracks and shares client competitor activity, including media exposure and strategy, social media and online presence, e-commerce platforms, new products and changes within competitors’ business and industry.
• Works with Account Coordinators to ensure client profiles are accurate and up-to-date.
• Works with Account Manager or supervisor to prepare and present information, proposals, new ideas, issues and opportunities to clients.
• Understands clients’ businesses and is able to identify opportunities for clients to increase their use of Woodruff services.

Team Leadership & Internal Relationships

• Builds rapport and trusting relationships with internal teams. Collaborates with multiple internal teams to ensure projects are delivered on time and reflect Woodruff and client standards.
• Uses client profiles as well as other client information to help Account Manager or supervisor onboard new internal team members to work on the clients’ business.
• Partners with internal teams to plan project size and workflows and ensure all aspects are accounted for when developing scopes, value, time frames and pricing.

Financial Management of Accounts

Supports clients and internal teams in budgeting and planning discussions. Works with Account

Manager or supervisor on budget allocation based on client objectives and strategies.

• Works with Account Manager or supervisor to develop scope of work and scope of value descriptions and provides accurate and detailed information to develop pricing.
• Proactively communicates with internal teams and clients regarding project size and scope, expectations, deliverables, timing and price.
• Tracks and manages scopes of work; identifies changes in scope and creates change orders in partnership with account lead and production.
• Reviews invoices, ensures billing schedules are followed and prepares explanations and recaps for clients.

Supervisor Expectations

• Expectation setting, including working with your supervisor on new staff orientation, training and work assignment.
• Departmental responsibilities, including working with your supervisor on policy enforcements, OOO requests and adhering to hiring criteria.
• Regular communication, including one-on-ones, conflict resolution, philosophy guidance and ongoing coaching and mentoring.
• Employee enrichment, including working with your supervisor on goal setting, performance reviews and ongoing feedback.

Knowledge and Skills

• Extremely thorough with tremendous attention to detail
• Organized and able to manage significant amounts of information efficiently
• Ready to learn and seek information
• Collaborative and able to work with a variety of personalities, disciplines and roles
• An excellent listener who can ask questions, absorb information and put many different inputs into action
• Resourceful and flexible; able to execute with minimal direction, often on short notice
• Follows processes but not paralyzed by them
• A proactive problem-solver; identifies solutions before problems escalate
• Understanding of clients’ businesses, industries, problems, opportunities and needs
• Contributor to go-to-market strategies and plans and budget discussions

Leader Behaviors

How leaders act on a daily basis as they seek to implement the company’s vision and strategic

priorities, strive to fulfill the brand promise and live up to the value. Everyone can be a leader.

• Open-minded and active listener
• Continually grows people and business
• Truthful and transparent
• Decisive, accountable and proactive
• Forward thinking
• Communicates in a positive manner

Education/Experience/Certifications

2-4 years of agency experience and a B.A. or B.S. degree; a degree in a discipline related to advertising, marketing, journalism or communications is a plus.