Account Manager Financial Services

Sandpiper, one of the fastest growing reputation and policy management consultancies in the world, is seeking a talented and entrepreneurial individual to join our financial services practice in Singapore and Hong Kong as an Account Manager. The successful candidate will be based in Singapore or Hong Kong but will work for our clients across the Asia Pacific region.

Our team are trusted advisors to industry leaders and market disruptors. We combine strong regional market and industry understanding with global perspectives. Our expertise spans corporate communications, healthcare, financial services, and capital markets communications, professional services, ESG and sustainability, brand PR, media relations, public affairs and public policy, and technology.

Operating with one global P&L, we harness new technologies to deliver advisory backed by rigorous research and deep insights, and to meet the evolving needs of our clients quickly and effectively wherever they are in the world.

Our firm is built around a simple proposition: by hiring the right people to do smart thinking, and equipping them with the right technologies and tools, we deliver results and business benefits for our clients. Our clients are diverse, ranging from the world’s leading asset managers, insurers, and banks to disruptive technology firms that are reshaping the way commerce is carried out.

We partner with some of the world’s leading businesses and brands to develop effective, evidence-based communications strategies and programmes.

Overview

An Account Manager at Sandpiper manages the day-to-day delivery of client programmes, contributing a key role in the strategic direction and high-quality execution of client activities.

The Account Manager provides guidance to team members, supports the implementation of strategic plans and helps maintain strong client relationships.

At a general level, the responsibilities include the following

• Apply proficient agency skills with enthusiasm and proactivity.
• Lead and support the execution of client programmes.
• Manage, motivate, retain and develop junior team members.
• Track time effectively and work efficiently, ensuring high-quality client servicing
• Consistently deliver high standards of client work with strong attention to detail
• Be a role model for Sandpiper’s values and behaviours, embracing the company’s one P&L approach.

Client handling and account management

• Review and manage timely and effective day-to-day account delivery of account actions.
• Takes the lead in fielding day-to-day client contact at appropriate levels.
• Provide clear, timely reporting and monitoring.
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of client media, key stakeholders and relevant issues.
• Lead discussions in parts of client meetings and takes ownership of some client programmes.
• Proactively seeks opportunities to strengthen client relationships.
• Demonstrate a high level of written and verbal communication, using the appropriate style for both external and internal audiences.

Business Development

• Assist with the preparation and pitching of new business proposals.
• Actively cultivating an external network and industry profile with growing confidence.
• Proactively engages in networking to gather leads, independently or with colleagues.
• Provide valuable intelligence and insights to support clients and colleagues.
• Approach new business briefs with a thirst for knowledge and an inquisitive mindset.
• Offer fresh ideas and innovative thinking to new business opportunities and existing clients projects, while beginning to identify potential avenues for organic growth.

Team Contribution

• Manage and mentor junior team members, providing on-the-job training and support to enhance their development.
• Take the lead in task distribution, ensuring the timely and efficient delivery of actions.
• Support client leads in delivering effective and profitable programmes.
• Actively seek colleagues’ perspectives and embrace their experiences to strengthen team performance.
• Provide, accept and deliver both immediate and long-term feedback to foster growth among junior team members.
• Demonstrate the confidence to challenge, listen to others, and seek help when needed.

Strategy and innovation

• Proficiently use research, insights and planning tools available at Sandpiper to drive strategic initiatives.
• Lead research and analysis efforts, demonstrating numeracy skills to draw insights and develop evidence-based recommendations.
• Understand the business challenges being addressed, ensuring that solutions are insight-driven and aligned with client needs.
• Stay up to date on emerging trends, technologies, and best-in-class creative work, incorporating them into strategic planning to deliver innovative approaches.

Media and Industry relations

• Possess a solid understanding of media rhythms, landscapes, and trends.
• Stay well-informed on business, regional and local politics, as well as macroeconomic developments.
• Demonstrate knowledge of key media outlets and actively pitch stories to journalists while fostering strong media relationships.
• Continuously deepen knowledge of client’s business, issues, and relevant media to support the achievement of overall business objectives.
• Actively network with media and industry professionals, building a robust network to provide valuable insights for clients.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of Sandpiper’s digital tools, with awareness of additional tools that could be leveraged.
• Display a basic understanding of channels and content strategies.

Requirements

• A strong network, and deep industry experience
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Good interpersonal and presentation skills
• Collegiate, team player
• Creative thinker
• Entrepreneurial with strong business acumen
• Financial and/or professional services sector knowledge and experience is advantageous
• Bachelor’s degree at a minimum (a plus if it is in related fields such as communications, English, journalism, politics, economics, or business)

Sandpiper is a multi-award-winning agency, with a senior team of consultants and advisors with expertise to advise on some of the region’s most high-profile remits.

If you want to work for the agency of the future, want a fresh challenge and want to influence the way our industry is shaped, the Sandpiper team would like to have a coffee with you, so send your cv to careers@sandpipercomms.com.