Agency development managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing strategies for their organization. They commonly work with a team of marketers, designers, writers, etc., to develop campaigns that will help grow the agency’s business.
Agency development managers may also be tasked with managing relationships with vendors or other outside parties. This might include overseeing the creation of advertisements, negotiating deals with suppliers, or handling any number of other tasks related to maintaining good working relationships with third-party providers.
Agency Development Manager Job Duties
Agency development managers typically have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:
- Evaluating the performance of current agencies and developing action plans to improve performance
- Reviewing market research data to identify opportunities for new business development or expansion of existing business relationships
- Working with management to develop strategies for hiring, training, and managing a staff of advertising professionals
- Developing a strategic plan for growth of the agency using insight gained from research and analysis of industry trends and competition
- Identifying new business opportunities by creating presentations and proposals for potential clients
- Monitoring client satisfaction by conducting regular meetings with clients to discuss projects in progress and plans for upcoming projects
- Coordinating marketing campaigns by overseeing the creation of advertisements, brochures, direct mail pieces, etc.
- Motivating employees by fostering a culture of creativity and innovation while ensuring high standards of quality are met
- Overseeing the financial performance of the agency by preparing budgets, developing forecasts, analyzing results, and making adjustments as needed
Agency Development Manager Salary & Outlook
Agency development managers’ salaries vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the size and industry of the company. They may also earn additional compensation in the form of commissions and bonuses.
- Median Annual Salary: $95,000 ($45.67/hour)
- Top 10% Annual Salary: $162,000 ($77.88/hour)
The employment of agency development managers is expected to grow much faster than average over the next decade.
Demand for agency development managers will increase as firms seek to expand their client base and geographic reach. In addition, demand will be driven by the need for marketing and advertising services in a competitive environment.
Agency Development Manager Job Requirements
To become an agency development manager, you may need to have the following:
Education: Agency development managers are typically required to have a bachelor’s degree in marketing, advertising or a related field. Some employers prefer candidates who have a master’s degree in business administration (MBA). An MBA is useful for agency development managers who want to advance their careers and increase their earning potential.
Training & Experience: Agency development managers typically receive on-the-job training in their role. This training may include shadowing a current agency development manager or another member of the development team, or it may include a period of self-study followed by a period of mentorship. Agency development managers who have previously worked in a related role, such as fundraising or development, may have a shorter training period.
Certifications & Licenses: Agency development managers do not need certifications to earn their position, but there are certifications available for professionals who wish to increase their earning capacity or make themselves more competitive when applying to new positions.
Agency Development Manager Skills
Agency development managers need the following skills in order to be successful:
Leadership: Leadership skills can help you motivate and guide your team to achieve organizational goals. As an agency development manager, you may be responsible for overseeing the development of an agency’s marketing campaigns, including the creation of a strategic plan and the recruitment of a team of marketing professionals to execute the plan. Leadership skills can help you guide your team to develop successful marketing strategies and campaigns.
Communication: Communication is the act of conveying information through a medium. As an agency development manager, you may need to communicate with clients, colleagues and other stakeholders. Effective communication can help you convey your ideas and intentions to others, which can help you build stronger relationships and improve your performance.
Strategic thinking: Strategic thinking is the ability to identify and understand the long-term goals of an organization and how to achieve them. As an agency development manager, strategic thinking is an essential skill that can help you develop effective strategies for increasing an organization’s membership, fundraising and volunteer numbers.
Marketing: Marketing skills can help you develop strategies for promoting products and services. You might use marketing skills to create advertising campaigns, develop social media posts and create other marketing materials. You can also use marketing skills to analyze the success of marketing campaigns and make adjustments to improve them.
Business development: Business development is the process of identifying and pursuing new business opportunities. This skill is important for agency development managers because it allows them to grow their agency’s client base and revenue.
Agency Development Manager Work Environment
Agency development managers work in a variety of settings, including advertising agencies, public relations firms, and marketing departments. They typically work full time and may have to work overtime to meet deadlines. They may travel to meet with clients or attend conferences. Agency development managers may work under a great deal of pressure to meet deadlines and achieve objectives.
Agency Development Manager Trends
Here are three trends influencing how agency development managers work. Agency development managers will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.
The Need for a More Strategic Approach to Agency Development
The role of the agency development manager is changing as businesses become more strategic in their approach to marketing. Now, agencies need managers who can not only develop new relationships but also help to create a long-term strategy for growth.
Agencies that are able to find and hire talented agency development managers will be better positioned to take advantage of this trend and grow their business. By developing strong relationships with potential clients, these managers can help to build a foundation for future success.
A Focus on Digital Marketing
As digital marketing becomes increasingly important, agencies are focusing on hiring professionals who have expertise in this area. This is because digital marketing allows agencies to reach a wider audience and provides them with more opportunities to generate revenue.
Agency development managers who are familiar with digital marketing can be extremely valuable to agencies, as they can help to ensure that the agency is using digital channels to their full potential. In addition, they can provide guidance to other members of the team on how to best utilize digital marketing tools.
More Collaboration Between Agencies and Brands
In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for collaboration between agencies and brands. This is due to the fact that both parties can benefit from working together, as it allows them to share ideas and create campaigns that are more innovative and effective than those created by one party alone.
As a result of this trend, agency development managers will need to be able to work well with others and be able to communicate effectively. They will also need to be able to understand the needs of both parties and be able to come up with solutions that meet those needs.
How to Become an Agency Development Manager
Agency development managers are responsible for overseeing the growth of their agency’s client base. This means they need to be able to identify and reach out to potential clients, as well as develop relationships with them. They also need to be able to manage the relationship between the agency and its clients, ensuring that both parties are happy and satisfied with the work being done.
Agency development managers need to have a strong understanding of marketing and advertising strategies, as well as an in-depth knowledge of the digital landscape. They also need to be able to effectively communicate with people from all walks of life, so that they can connect with potential clients who will benefit from the services offered by the agency.
Related: How to Write an Agency Development Manager Resume
Advancement Prospects
Agency development managers typically advance in their careers by taking on larger projects and clients and by developing a strong reputation in the industry. As they advance, they may also move into higher-level management positions within their agency or company. In some cases, agency development managers may start their own agencies.
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