Advertising account executive

Advertising account executives manage client relationships and coordinate the delivery of advertising campaigns between the client and agency teams

As an advertising account executive, you'll manage the progress of advertising campaigns, ensuring clear communication between clients, creative teams, media planners, finance teams and other stakeholders.

A key part of the role is understanding your client's needs by liaising with them regularly throughout the campaign lifecycle. You'll also handle administrative tasks and monitor project timelines and budgets to ensure that campaigns are delivered on time and within budget.

You will usually work as part of an account team, under an account manager or account director.

You may also be known as an account handler or client services executive.

Responsibilities

As an advertising account executive, you'll need to:

• attend client briefings to discuss and identify their advertising requirements
• contribute to the development of advertising campaigns that meet the client's brief and budget by sharing insights and client feedback at creative review meetings
• support the account manager in presenting campaign ideas and budget proposals to the client
• help brief media, creative and research teams, and assist in the development of marketing strategies
• liaise with, and act as the link between, the client and the agency by maintaining regular contact with both
• ensure effective communication and coordination across all teams involved in the campaign
• manage internal timelines and help ensure that projects are delivered on time and within budget
• monitor campaign progress and manage related administrative tasks
• help present creative work to clients for review, approval or amendments, where appropriate
• support with managing campaign budgets, tracking costs and preparing estimates and invoices
• write and distribute client contact reports and meeting notes
• track campaign effectiveness and help gather performance and evaluation data
• organise and attend internal and client meetings, recording actions and follow-ups
• assist with new business proposals and presentations to help the agency secure new clients.

Salary

• Average salaries for graduate trainees are typically around £25,825.
• Advertising account executives typically earn an average of £27,724, rising to an average of £31,370 for senior account executives.
• Average salaries for account and senior account managers typically range from £35,148 to £48,381.
• At account director level, average salaries typically range from £52,149 to £100,679, depending on the size of the agency and your level of responsibility. Salaries for head of account management roles in large agencies can be higher.

Salaries at all levels vary based on the size and location of the agency. For example, executives in and around London generally earn more than those employed in regional locations.

Some agencies offer their staff additional benefits, such as profit-sharing schemes, free gym membership, car allowance and medical insurance.

Income data from the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA). Figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours are typically Monday to Friday, usually from 9am to 6pm. However, longer hours may be required to meet deadlines, attend client meetings or support campaign launches, particularly during busy periods.

Flexible working options vary between employers, although part-time roles are relatively uncommon, particularly at entry level, due to the nature of the role. Part-time roles are more likely to be available with some of the larger agencies.

What to expect

• You'll typically work on several client accounts at once in a fast-paced, commercially driven environment where agencies constantly compete for new business and client retention.
• Jobs are available across the UK, particularly in major cities such as London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Leeds and in larger towns with creative industries.
• Work is generally office-based, although you'll need to travel during the working day to attend client meetings and pitches. Absence from home overnight and overseas work or travel may be occasionally required, depending on the client or agency.
• The workplace culture is usually informal and collaborative, but smart dress is often expected for client-facing meetings. Socialising with clients may be part of the role.
• The industry can be affected by market shifts, client losses or budget cuts, which may lead to job instability. However, the role offers strong networking opportunities and varied, creative work.

Qualifications

Although this area of work is open to graduates from any discipline, a degree in one of the following subjects may be particularly useful:

• advertising
• business/management
• communications
• English
• marketing
• public relations.

Some of the larger advertising agencies run formal graduate recruitment schemes, which can be highly competitive.

While a degree is often preferred, especially by larger agencies, it's possible to enter the profession without one, particularly by completing an apprenticeship such as the Level 3 Advertising and Media Executive Apprenticeship. Apprenticeships allow you to train on the job, combining paid work with part-time study. Find out more about advertising apprenticeships.

Getting some relevant experience and taking a professional qualification such as the IPA Foundation Certificate (UK) is also helpful. This qualification is aimed at recent graduates and anyone else with less than a year's experience in an advertising, marketing or communications role.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• a genuine interest in advertising, business and communications
• excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong client relationships
• a proactive approach to work and the confidence to use your initiative
• strong project management, organisational and time management skills to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines
• the ability to absorb large volumes of information quickly, while maintaining attention to detail
• effective teamwork and collaboration skills, often working across departments and with external partners
• persuasive presentation, influencing and negotiation skills
• commercial awareness and an understanding of brand strategy and client behaviour
• resilience and adaptability to deal with challenges, feedback and changing client needs
• a creative approach to problem solving
• IT and digital literacy, including familiarity with emerging platforms, social media, AI and analytics tools
• a willingness to keep learning and developing professionally in a fast-moving industry.

Work experience

Pre-entry work experience is highly desirable and can give you valuable insight into how an advertising agency operates. It helps you develop industry-relevant skills and build contacts that may prove useful when applying for permanent roles. Many employers view work experience as essential due to the competitive nature of the industry.

You can gain relevant experience through vacation work, work shadowing or formal placements. Some larger agencies may offer structured internship programmes or work shadowing opportunities that provide hands-on experience and exposure to the various departments within an agency. These opportunities can be competitive, so it's worth researching and applying early.

The IPA website has details of agencies offering talent taster programmes.

If you're unable to secure any agency-based experience, work experience in other commercial roles can still be beneficial. Roles in sales, marketing or public relations, for example, can help you build relevant skills, such as client communication, time management and campaign coordination. Voluntary work is also a valuable alternative and there are opportunities to volunteer with charities and other not-for-profit organisations.

To improve your chances, make the most of networking opportunities. LinkedIn and other social media platforms can be effective tools for connecting with industry professionals, while university careers services often host employer events.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

The majority of opportunities are found with advertising and creative agencies, ranging from large, global firms to smaller, independent agencies. Many large agencies are part of international media and communications groups, offering integrated services that include advertising, branding, digital marketing, media planning and public relations.

Larger agencies often employ over 100 staff, while smaller or boutique agencies may have teams of fewer than 20 people and offer more specialised services or work within niche markets. Increasingly, agencies provide full-service communications packages to clients, combining strategic, creative and digital solutions.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Campaign Jobs
• IPA Jobs Listings
• LinkedIn.

Graduate roles at larger agencies are usually advertised on their websites, with application windows often opening in the autumn. Smaller or specialist agencies tend to recruit year-round as roles become available.

The IPA has a list of member agencies with contact details, which is useful when making targeted, speculative applications. Search the IPA List of Member Agencies.

Professional development

Some of the larger advertising agencies may have structured training schemes that include formal learning, mentoring and rotation across departments. These schemes are highly competitive, with applications typically opening in the autumn, so it's important to research deadlines and apply early.

Once in post, you may be encouraged to study towards relevant qualifications. Employers may offer financial support, study leave or access to industry-specific courses as part of your ongoing learning. Some agencies also provide in-house training to support your progression into more senior account management roles.

Useful courses include the IPA Foundation Certificate, which is aimed at junior advertising professionals and provides an overview of all areas of advertising. The IPA also offers a range of short courses, workshops and leadership training for professionals at all levels. See IPA Courses and Qualifications.

Additionally, qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) or short online courses in areas like digital, mobile and social media marketing can help develop your skill set further.

Becoming an Accredited Personal Member of the IPA (MIPA) can help enhance your professional credibility with both clients and within the industry in general. Find out how to qualify as an Accredited MIPA.

Career prospects

You'll typically start your career as a graduate trainee or advertising account executive, supporting client campaigns and learning the processes of agency work. With experience, you can progress to junior account manager, working closely with more senior colleagues, before managing your own clients and accounts as an account manager.

Most account managers spend at least three or four years at this level before having enough experience to seek further promotion. There are some opportunities to move into an account director role or group account director role, with responsibility for all account staff and clients. Further promotion is usually into agency management roles.

Career progression depends on a range of factors, such as:

• your passion and how quickly you learn
• your relationship management skills
• the quality of work you deliver for your clients
• how successful you are in finding new business
• the success of the campaigns you work on.

Flexibility, adaptability and a proactive approach to learning and development can help your career prospects. Gaining experience with a range of clients or moving between agencies can also help broaden your skill set and support faster career growth.

It's also possible to move into other areas of agency work, such as account planning, brand consultancy or strategy, or to move into related areas such as marketing or communications.