The posting
Most companies claim to have the best people. We say to them, "Keep dreaming." Our people are second to none. They set us apart with their entrepreneurial spirit and ambition. They come to us from the likes of Amazon, Microsoft, Nordstrom, Starbucks and the sports world, bringing energy, bold ideas and a willingness to dive into the unfamiliar. It's our people that make BDA the top global Merchandise Agency to work for.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Senior Account Manager is responsible for leading a portfolio of complex, high-value client accounts while delivering exceptional client service, profitable growth, and consistent program performance. This role serves as the senior day-to-day owner of assigned accounts and is accountable for translating client objectives into actionable account strategies, overseeing complex programs, and ensuring financial and operational commitments are achieved.
Working closely with Sales, Creative, Sourcing, Operations, Logistics, eCommerce, Finance, and supplier partners, the Senior Account Manager leads cross-functional teams to deliver innovative branded merchandise solutions that advance client business objectives. This role builds trusted relationships across multiple levels of the client organization, anticipates emerging needs, navigates complex challenges, and provides strategic recommendations that strengthen the partnership.
As a senior commercial contributor, the Senior Account Manager is expected to drive revenue growth, protect and improve gross margin, strengthen client retention, and identify opportunities to expand programs and services. This role also provides leadership and coaching to junior Account Management team members, contributes to account planning and process improvement, and demonstrates readiness for broader portfolio and strategic account leadership.
LOCATION:
- This role is based in the Bryant Park area of Manhatten in New York City and offers a flexible onsite schedule of onsite 4 days per week, with 1 day remote.
- To be considered, you must live within commuting distance, as regular in-person collaboration is a key part of the role.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Project Management & Execution (20%)
- Lead complex, high-value, and multi-workstream client programs from initial strategy and brief through final delivery and ongoing operation.
- Establish clear project plans, governance structures, timelines, milestones, approval processes, and measures of success.
- Direct cross-functional execution across Production, Creative, Sourcing, Logistics, eCommerce, Finance, and supplier partners.
- Anticipate execution risks, resolve escalations, and develop mitigation plans that protect client commitments, financial performance, and program continuity.
- Oversee major program launches, transitions, inventory initiatives, eCommerce implementations, and other business-critical projects.
- Ensure client programs are delivered accurately, on time, within budget, and in accordance with agreed service standards.
- Maintain visibility across concurrent projects while appropriately delegating responsibilities and holding internal partners accountable for deliverables.
Operations & Internal Coordination (10%)
- Lead internal kickoff meetings, recurring account reviews, and cross-functional working sessions.
- Establish clear ownership, communication protocols, and escalation paths across internal teams.
- Maintain accurate account, opportunity, forecast, and project information within Salesforce and other internal systems.
- Drive adherence to operating procedures, documentation requirements, service standards, and financial controls.
- Identify and implement improvements that increase workflow efficiency, execution quality, and program scalability.
- Lead post-project reviews and corrective-action planning when service, financial, or operational performance does not meet expectations.
Client Service & Relationship Management (25%)
- Serve as the senior day-to-day relationship owner for assigned clients and build trusted partnerships across multiple stakeholder levels.
- Develop and maintain account strategies based on a deep understanding of each client’s business, brand, priorities, budget, and long-term objectives.
- Lead client meetings, business reviews, program planning sessions, and presentations of strategic recommendations.
- Anticipate client needs and proactively introduce relevant products, services, trends, and program improvements.
- Translate client objectives into actionable recommendations that balance creativity, operational feasibility, financial performance, and speed to market.
- Navigate difficult conversations and resolve escalated issues with sound judgment while protecting the long-term client relationship.
- Monitor client satisfaction, service performance, and relationship health, addressing risks before they affect retention or growth.
- Build relationships beyond the primary day-to-day contact to strengthen account continuity and expand organizational reach.
Budget & Financial Performance (25%)
- Own revenue, gross margin, and profitability performance across assigned client accounts.
- Develop pricing strategies and commercial recommendations that balance client value, competitive positioning, and company financial objectives.
- Review and approve quotes within established authority levels, ensuring pricing accuracy, appropriate margin, and complete cost assumptions.
- Maintain accurate revenue forecasts, pipeline projections, and financial reporting for assigned accounts.
- Monitor project and program profitability, identify margin leakage, and implement corrective actions when performance falls below expectations.
- Manage client budgets, inventory exposure, program spend, freight, duties, and other costs that affect account profitability.
- Partner with Finance to support timely invoicing, reconciliation, collections, and resolution of financial discrepancies.
- Use account and financial data to identify trends, improve decision-making, and recommend actions that increase revenue, margin, and client value.
- Support renewal planning and commercial discussions by evaluating program performance, service requirements, and account economics.
Growth & Leadership (20%)
- Develop and execute account growth plans with defined revenue, margin, retention, and relationship objectives.
- Identify and advance opportunities to expand existing client programs, introduce additional capabilities, and increase share of client spend.
- Partner with Sales and other internal leaders on renewals, pitches, proposals, cross-sell opportunities, and strategic business development initiatives.
- Mentor Account Managers, Associate Account Managers, and Account Coordinators through coaching, feedback, and day-to-day guidance.
- Delegate work effectively while maintaining accountability for quality, timing, and client outcomes.
- Share best practices and contribute to the development of Account Management tools, processes, service standards, and training.
- Support portfolio planning, workload prioritization, and resource recommendations across the Account Management team.
- Model strong commercial judgment, accountability, collaboration, and leadership across the organization.
- Demonstrate readiness to advance into National Account Manager responsibilities through sustained portfolio performance and strategic client leadership.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or a related field.
- 5–7 years of progressive experience in account management, client services, agency services, promotional products, or a related environment.
- Demonstrated success managing complex, high-value client accounts and multiple concurrent programs.
- Strong financial acumen, including experience with pricing, budgeting, revenue forecasting, gross margin management, and project profitability.
- Proven ability to identify and advance account growth, cross-sell, and program expansion opportunities.
- Strong executive presence with the ability to lead client meetings, business reviews, strategic discussions, and difficult conversations.
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence outcomes without direct authority.
- Strong project management, organizational, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to balance strategic account leadership with detailed execution and financial accountability.
- Experience using Salesforce or comparable CRM platforms preferred.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, client-focused environment while managing competing priorities and deadlines.
Success in this Role
Successful Senior Account Managers consistently deliver strong client retention, revenue growth, gross margin performance, forecast accuracy, and program execution across a complex portfolio. They operate as trusted client advisors, convert business objectives into commercially sound solutions, anticipate and resolve risks, and create measurable value for both the client and the company. They elevate the performance of the broader Account Management team through coaching and leadership while demonstrating the strategic judgment and sustained commercial results required to advance into National Account Manager responsibilities.
We are pleased to share the base salary range for this position is $83,000 to $98,000. If you are hired at BDA, your compensation will be determined based on factors that may include geographic location, skills, education, and experience. In addition to these factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as a part of any offer. In the spirit of pay transparency, the range listed is the full base salary range for the role and hiring at the top of the range would not be typical, in order to allow for future salary growth. The range listed is just one component of BDA’s total compensation and rewards programs, which includes: robust PTO; vacation, a paid volunteer day, holidays and summer Fridays, Benefits; medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D insurance, 401k; tuition reimbursement, mental health and financial wellness programs and professional development opportunities including tuition reimbursement. Certain revenue-generating positions may be eligible for incentive compensation.
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BDA is more than a workplace - it’s a family. For more than four decades we’ve promoted a vibrant and welcoming culture that not only accepts but demands you to be different. The quirky, the bold, the creative and the unique make up the foundation of a company that the most iconic brands in the world look to help tell their story through the power of merchandise.
BDA Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
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