ACCOUNT MANAGER: RETAIL ENVIRONMENTS

 GOOD WITH CLIENTS? GREAT WITH STORES?

Ever walked into a store and thought, “Now that’s a brand that knows how to make an entrance?” Here’s your chance to help make it happen!

We’re looking for a hands-on, client-savvy Account Manager: Retail Environments to join a creative agency in Cape Town’s Northern Suburbs. This is a permanent, full-time, office-based role, with regular visits to stores, client offices and project sites.

You’ll work with well-known retail brands, helping bring their physical spaces to life through new store builds, revamps, in-store signage and retail theatre. From the initial client brief to the finishing touches on an installation, you’ll be the person who keeps the client’s vision, the creative work and the delivery team moving in the same direction.

Not your average desk job!

This isn’t an account management role where everything happens behind a desk. You’ll be out in stores, meeting clients, working alongside creatives and project managers, checking the finer details and making sure every element comes together as it should.

You’ll need a good eye for creative, a strong commercial head and the confidence to manage relationships, budgets, timelines and multiple moving parts without losing sight of the bigger picture.

If you love seeing an idea become something people can actually walk into, this could be right up your aisle!

Where you’ll make things happen…

Client Relationships

• Be the main point of contact for assigned retail clients, working closely with their store development, marketing and operations teams.

• Bridge the gap between client development and project teams and the agency’s creative team, ensuring everyone works from the same clear brief.

• Attend client meetings, take briefs and confirm project scope, timelines and budgets in writing.

• Build relationships with store managers, property and construction teams, landlords and shopping centre management.

• Attend meetings at stores and client offices, travelling regionally when projects require it.

Creative Quality & Brand Alignment

• Review creative work against client brand guidelines and tone before presentation.

• Coordinate with other client service teams on POS, ticketing and other in-store elements to ensure a consistent brand experience.

• Identify opportunities for additional work, including rollouts, seasonal campaigns and wayfinding, and raise them with the Client Service Director.

• Run weekly client status meetings and internal team meetings.

• Participate in weekly marketing meetings to keep creative work aligned through to store execution.

Estimates, Budgets & Margins

• Maintain visibility of project costings alongside the project management team.

• Present estimates to clients and secure approval before work begins.

• Flag changes in scope promptly so revised estimates can be prepared and approved.

• Monitor actual costs against estimates with project managers, identifying potential overruns early.

• Ensure completed projects are invoiced promptly and accurately.

Production & Installation

• Work closely with project managers responsible for production and supplier management, keeping them informed of client requirements and changes.

• Brief suppliers on new innovation ideas and present their proposals to the internal team.

• Check artwork, proofs and samples against approved designs, brand guidelines and client expectations.

• Support site visits, surveys and installation planning with the project management team.

• Attend key installations and store openings alongside clients.

Store & Competitor Insights

• Visit client stores regularly to assess execution, condition and brand compliance.

• Visit competitor stores and stay informed about developments in the retail environment.

• Share competitor research and observations with the internal team every two weeks.

Quality & Administration

• Maintain accurate and complete project records, including briefs, approvals, estimates, purchase orders and sign-offs.

• Ensure work complies with client brand guidelines, landlord requirements and relevant safety standards.

• Participate in post-project reviews, using lessons learned to improve processes and inform the rate card.

You’ll be a great fit if…

• 3–5 years’ client service experience within an advertising, retail design, signage or shopfitting agency.

• A degree or diploma in marketing, advertising, business or a related field, or equivalent experience.

• Proven experience managing retail or in-store projects from brief through to installation, working with project managers and production teams.

• Strong client relationship management and communication skills, with the confidence to present ideas, estimates and project updates.

• Good commercial awareness, including estimates, budgets, margins and collaboration with cost estimators.

• Excellent project management and organisational skills, with the ability to juggle multiple store projects, priorities and deadlines.

• An understanding of print and signage production, including substrates, finishes, dimensions and proofing.

• A sharp eye for creative quality, brand consistency and detail.

• A valid driver’s licence and reliable own vehicle, with the flexibility to travel regionally for store and site visits.

• Availability for occasional after-hours or weekend installations and store openings.

Even better if you have

• Experience working on national retail or FMCG accounts in South Africa.

• Familiarity with agency job management systems, such as Chase or similar.

• The ability to read store layouts and technical drawings.

If you don’t have the relevant experience required for this role, please consider your application unsuccessful.

City: Cape Town, Northern Suburbs

Level of Expertise: Mid

Remuneration: Negotiable

Consultant: Viv

Reference Number: #Viv3170