Senior Account Manager

The NPD Group, ( http://www.npd.com/) founded in 1967, provides global consumer and retail information that helps manufacturers and retailers make more informed, fact based decisions in order to optimize their business. Many of the world’s most successful companies rely on us for insight on what is selling, where and why so that they can understand and leverage the latest trends.

NPD products and services deliver unique market perspectives by combining consumer information with point-of-sale data collected from retailers and other distribution channels. The result is market intelligence with both strategic and tactical advantages: comprehensive information on key retail channels and consumer demographics, plus granular detail on specific products, features and pricing.

Our clients encompass more than 1,400 businesses, including many Fortune 500 companies. NPD has approximately 600 Retailer Partners, representing over 120,000 doors worldwide. Our worldwide offices and partnerships span more than 60 countries.

The Senior Account Manager’s key responsibilities include client account management, contract negotiations, acquisitions, staff management and business development. He or she manages all aspects of accounts: design of the analysis, identifying and communicating implications for client initiatives, presentation of marketing information, developing and meeting budgets and growing revenue. The Manager establishes and manages client strategies, research methodologies and new product development.  Specific client types for this role include Technology Distributors and Commercial Resellers. 

 

This position is open to location in the Port Washington or San Diego NPD offices.

 

Overall Responsibilities:

·         Leads 1-6 Top Tier accounts and 10 or more Tier 2 accounts.  Proactively grows the business.  Maintains a high level of direct contact and interaction with clients to fully understand and satisfy their needs.

·         Ties in implications to business needs.  Independently develops proposals to address very complex client issues.

·         Spearheads group to resolve most client problems. Fosters trust and credibility with key client contacts.   Maintains successful long-term client relationships. Drives client strategic planning.

·         Organizes appropriate NPD resources to achieve desired results for NPD and client.  Accomplished in entire selling process and in coaching subordinates and exhibits negotiating skills.  Leads contract negotiations and bring to close.

·         Contributor/member of the BU management team as it relates to aligning on all major issues vis-à-vis the BU fiscal year plans.  Manage across organizational boundaries with the BU senior management, the Operations Group, Data Management Group, Research Sciences, Sales and Product Management Group to get buy-in and support of the BU strategies.  Establish an effective and easy mode of communication to ensure that BU is on top of client initiatives, successes and challenges.

·         Manages cross-functional plan process. Plans and conducts business reviews and information planning sessions, and ties into client’s key initiatives. 

·         Presents independently.

·         Leads at least one task force/special project each year. 

Qualifications:

·         5-8 years experience in account management or client service research, sales to technology distributors, commercial resellers and/or direct marketers or equivalent.

·         Solid industry and client knowledge

·         Ability to balance staff to deal with disappointments and difficult internal and external issues

·         Solid presentation skills to large groups.

·         Communicates effectively with all levels.

·         Strong organizational and project management skills

·         Competent in entire selling process

·         Demonstrated success in contract negotiations and Account planning experience.

·         Expert in MS Office application suite.

·         Competent analysis and writing ability - digests diverse data sets into cohesive and succinct stories both in presentations and word documents

·         Travel (typically 10 - 20%)

·         BA/BS or equivalent