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Marketing & Advertising

Advertising Account Manager

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Primary Secondary Post-16

An advertising account manager acts as the main link between advertising agencies and their clients. Their main responsibility is to manage client accounts, ensuring that advertising campaigns meet the client’s objectives, budget, and deadlines. The role involves working closely with creative teams, media planners, and clients to develop campaign strategies, present ideas, and monitor the progress of projects. Account managers also negotiate contracts, prepare reports, and keep clients updated on campaign performance. Strong communication, organisational, and negotiation skills are essential, as is an understanding of marketing and digital media trends. The work can be fast-paced and rewarding, especially for those who enjoy working with people and solving problems.

Advertising Account Manager

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📊 Statistics

Average Salary

Advertising account managers in the UK typically earn between £22,000 and £45,000 a year, with senior roles reaching up to £60,000 or more.

Job Openings

There are around 7,500 people employed as advertising account managers or similar roles in the UK, with a steady demand in major cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham.

Typical Working Hours

Most account managers work between 37 and 40 hours per week, but overtime and occasional evening or weekend work may be required to meet client deadlines.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Digital Advertising Account Executive

Focuses on managing client relationships and campaigns specifically for online and social media advertising platforms.

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Brand Partnerships Manager

Works on developing and maintaining collaborations between brands and external partners to boost advertising campaigns.

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Media Planner

Specialises in selecting the best media outlets and scheduling for advertising campaigns to reach target audiences effectively.

Gain Relevant Qualifications

Complete Secondary Education

Obtain GCSEs or equivalent qualifications, focusing on English and Business-related subjects.

Achieving good grades in your GCSEs, especially in English, Maths, and Business, will help you move on to further education. These subjects are important as they develop communication, analytical, and organisational skills that are vital in advertising.

Pursue Further Education

Study A-levels or a Level 3 Diploma, ideally in Business, Media Studies, or a related field.

A-levels in subjects like Business Studies, Media Studies, English, or Psychology are highly valued. Alternatively, a BTEC National Diploma or similar qualification in business or marketing will also put you in a strong position for university or a higher apprenticeship.

Obtain a Relevant Degree or Apprenticeship

Earn a degree in Advertising, Marketing, Business, or Media, or take a higher apprenticeship in advertising.

Many Advertising Account Managers have degrees in relevant subjects, but some enter through higher apprenticeships in advertising or digital marketing. University courses usually last three years and often include work placements, which are valuable for building contacts.

Build Experience and Skills

Gain Work Experience

Take on internships, placements, or part-time roles in advertising, marketing, or media agencies.

Practical experience is essential in advertising. Look for summer internships, volunteer to help with student campaigns, or take on junior roles in media or marketing companies. This will help you understand industry processes and build a portfolio.

Develop Communication and Organisational Skills

Practice client communication, project management, and teamwork skills in real-world settings.

Excellent communication and organisational skills are vital for managing client expectations and coordinating campaigns. Participate in university societies, organise events, or take on roles with responsibility for managing people and projects.

Secure Your First Role and Progress

Apply for Junior Account Roles

Look for entry-level positions such as Account Executive or Assistant within advertising or marketing agencies.

Start by applying for roles like Account Executive, which will allow you to learn the ropes while supporting senior account managers. Tailor your CV to highlight relevant coursework, placements, and skills.

Progress to Account Manager

With experience and proven ability, move up to the role of Advertising Account Manager, taking on your own clients and campaigns.

After gaining experience and demonstrating your ability to manage projects and build client relationships, you can progress to Account Manager. At this stage, you will oversee campaigns from start to finish and take full responsibility for client satisfaction.

🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Advertising Account Manager. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

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Career Progressions

No career progressions found for Advertising Account Manager

Sample Qualifications

An Advertising Account Manager and an Advertising Account Executive both work within the advertising industry, managing client relationships and campaigns. The Account Executive typically assists in executing advertising projects, making their roles closely aligned in terms of client interaction and campaign coordination.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • specialist courses run by professional bodies

University

You can get into advertising with a degree in any subject.

Some employers may prefer it if you have a degree in a subject like:

  • advertising and marketing
  • statistics or operational research
  • communication and media studies
  • business or management
  • psychology

With your degree you can apply for graduate training schemes in advertising companies.

Work experience during university

Employers value work experience so it's important to get as much as you can during your studies.

Your university careers service can help you find work experience, internship and placement opportunities.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

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College

There is no set route to become an advertising account executive.

You might find it useful to do a Foundation Certificate in Professional Marketing.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

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Apprenticeship

You may be able to get into this job by doing an advertising and media executive advanced apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

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Work

You might be able to start in a junior position at a small advertising agency in a position like admin assistant.

You can then work your way up as your experience in advertising grows.

Volunteering

Experience will help you understand advertising and allow you to meet new people who may help you find paid work.

You could try:

  • work experience
  • internships
  • temporary jobs

You could contact agencies directly to ask about volunteering opportunities. You could also make contacts on social media channels like LinkedIn.

Other Routes

You could take the advertising Foundation Certificate to get some of the skills you need to get a paid job in advertising.

The course is offered by by the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising and is open to anyone with less than one year of experience in an advertising, marketing or communications role.

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Career tips

It's a good idea to have a presence on social networking sites. You could also show your creative and communication skills to employers through your own blog or website.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising to find training opportunities and make industry contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about a career in advertising from the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising.

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