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Marketing & Advertising

Advertising Account Manager

View this career for different education levels:

Primary Secondary Post-16

An Advertising Account Manager acts as the main point of contact between advertising agencies and their clients. The role involves managing client accounts, understanding their needs, and ensuring that advertising campaigns are delivered on time, within budget, and to a high standard. Account Managers work closely with creative teams, media planners, and clients to coordinate campaign activities, present proposals, and monitor progress. Strong communication, organisational, and negotiation skills are essential, as the job often involves juggling multiple projects and deadlines. This career is ideal for individuals who enjoy working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment and are interested in the world of advertising and marketing.

Advertising Account Manager

📊 Statistics

Average Salary

Advertising Account Managers in the UK typically earn between £22,000 and £45,000 per year, with senior roles reaching up to £60,000.

Job Openings

There are approximately 10,000 advertising and account management roles in the UK, with strong demand in London and other major cities.

Typical Working Hours

Most Advertising Account Managers work around 37 to 40 hours per week, often with some overtime to meet client deadlines.

🚀 Careers in this path

Digital Advertising Account Executive

Focuses on managing online advertising campaigns for clients, including social media, search engines, and display ads.

Brand Partnerships Manager

Specialises in building and maintaining relationships between brands and external partners to create successful advertising collaborations.

Media Planner

Works on selecting the most effective media channels for advertising campaigns, ensuring that adverts reach the right audience at the right time.

Gain Relevant Education

Complete A Levels or Equivalent

Take A Levels (such as Business Studies, English, or Media Studies) or an equivalent qualification to prepare for further study.

Good GCSEs, especially in English and Maths, are essential for progressing to A Levels or equivalent courses. Subjects like Business Studies or Media Studies can provide a helpful foundation for understanding the advertising industry. You may also consider BTECs or T Levels in relevant subjects.

Obtain a Degree or Higher Education Qualification

Pursue a degree in advertising, marketing, business, or a related field.

While it is possible to enter the field without a degree, most employers prefer candidates with a higher education qualification. Relevant subjects include advertising, marketing, business management, communications, or media studies. Some universities offer sandwich courses with a year in industry, which can provide valuable work experience.

Build Practical Experience

Undertake Internships or Work Placements

Gain hands-on experience through internships or work placements in advertising or marketing agencies.

Look for summer internships, part-time roles, or work experience opportunities in advertising agencies or marketing departments. This will help you develop key skills such as communication, teamwork, and project management, and give you a better understanding of how agencies operate.

Build a Portfolio and Network

Create a portfolio of your work and start networking within the industry.

A portfolio can showcase your involvement in campaigns, creative ideas, and client-facing work. Attend industry events, join relevant professional bodies such as the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA), and connect with professionals through LinkedIn and other platforms.

Start and Progress Your Career

Apply for Entry-Level Roles

Look for entry-level positions such as Account Executive or Junior Account Manager.

Begin your career in roles where you support senior account managers, learn about client management, and contribute to campaign planning. Use your portfolio and experience to demonstrate your skills to employers.

Develop Skills and Advance

Take on more responsibilities and seek promotions to account management positions.

As you gain experience, you will be able to manage larger accounts, present campaign strategies to clients, and take on leadership roles within your team. Continuous professional development, such as attending workshops or completing industry-recognised qualifications, can help you move up to senior Account Manager or Account Director roles.

Available Apprenticeships

Please note that this may not be a comprehensive list of available apprenticeships. To view a more complete collection, visit the Find an apprenticeship service.

Click on any card to be redirected to their vacancy page.

Customer Service / Administrative Officer Apprenticeship

MYTOILETSPARES LIMITED

( Added 14 May 2025 - 1 position available )

My Toilet Spares has a vacancy for a Customer Service Representative to manage customer queries. You will also be asked to process orders, pick orders and escalate complaints across a number of communication channels. You will need to be able to remain calm when customers are frustrated and have experience working with computers.

Closing date: in 7 days

Possible start date: 03 Nov 2025

Customer Service Advisor Apprenticeship - Group 1 Citroën Peterborough

INCHCAPE RETAIL LIMITED

( Added 01 Jul 2025 - 1 position available )

This Apprenticeship Programme is an exciting opportunity to kick-start your career. This apprenticeship offers a unique opportunity to learn the ins and outs of customer service and vehicle maintenance coordination within the automotive industry. Under the guidance of experienced service advisors.

Closing date: in 14 days

Possible start date: 03 Nov 2025

Customer Advisor/Assistant Apprentice

PSP INSURANCE & FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS LTD

( Added 02 Jul 2025 - 1 position available )

An exciting new role for an enthusiastic and reliable individual to assist a very busy customer/client-based service team. You will be responsible for liaising with existing and potential new clients to promote company products both face to face and over the phone.

Closing date: in 14 days

Possible start date: 03 Nov 2025

Career Progressions

No career progressions found for

Sample Qualifications

An Advertising Account Manager and an Advertising Account Executive both work closely with clients to develop and execute advertising campaigns. The main difference lies in seniority, but in terms of qualifications and core responsibilities, they are quite similar, focusing on client relationship management 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

More Information

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.

More Information

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

More Information

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.

More Information

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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