Account executive

The Account Executive (AE) serves as the primary day-to-day liaison between ERM Marketing & Communications Agency (MCA) and its clients, building strong relationships and ensuring client needs are met through effective communication, project management and flawless execution. The AE owns project details from initiation through completion, coordinating internal teams and client stakeholders to deliver work on time, on budget and aligned with client objectives. The role requires a "North Star" mentality, maintaining focus on client success while proactively identifying opportunities to strengthen relationships and support business growth.

Location of the role can be Knoxville, TN or remote based.

Responsibilities

Client Relationship Management

• Serves as the primary point of contact for day-to-day client communications.
• Builds and maintains strong client relationships founded on trust, responsiveness and accountability.
• Keeps clients informed of project status through weekly status reports, timelines, meetings, and other written or verbal communications.
• Receives and documents client briefings, feedback and approvals, ensuring information is communicated accurately to internal teams.
• Understands client business objectives and keeps agency teams informed about relevant client, industry and sustainability developments.
• Supports account growth by actively listening for new opportunities and identifying additional client needs.

Project Management & Execution

• Owns project details from initiation through completion.
• Coordinates project timing, resources, budgets and deliverables across agency teams.
• Collaborates with internal teams to develop, maintain and adjust project schedules as priorities evolve.
• Maintains complete and accurate project documentation, including job setups, files, briefs, approvals and historical records.
• Ensures all projects are executed accurately, efficiently, on time and within budget.
• Tracks projects through project management and agency systems, proactively addressing potential delays or issues.
• Demonstrates exceptional attention to detail and "sweats the small stuff" to ensure high-quality execution.

Agency Coordination

• Works closely with account leadership, creative, research, digital and production teams to move projects forward.
• Keeps internal teams informed of project status, client feedback and potential concerns.
• Initiates and prepares first drafts of creative briefs and project documentation.
• Reviews work product prior to client delivery to ensure accuracy and alignment with project objectives.
• Coordinates client reviews and approvals for creative, production and project materials.

Financial Management

• Supports project budgeting, forecasting, billing and invoicing processes.
• Reviews billing schedules and invoice descriptions for accuracy.
• Maintains client projections and assists with revenue forecasting.
• Monitors project budgets and alerts account leadership to potential scope, budget or timeline concerns.
• Supports change order development and scope management efforts.

Business Development & Agency Representation

• Identifies opportunities for account growth and additional agency services.
• Supports proposal and scope development efforts as requested.
• Represents the agency at industry, client and community events.
• Builds professional relationships that strengthen the agency's reputation and business development efforts.

Daily Job Duties

• Manage day-to-day account activities for assigned clients.
• Monitor and respond promptly to client emails, calls and requests.
• Coordinate project workflows, timelines and deliverables with internal teams.
• Prepare meeting notes, conference reports, status updates and client communications.
• Track project progress and update schedules in agency project management systems.
• Maintain accurate records in project management and related agency platforms.
• Review client budgets, billing schedules and invoices for accuracy.
• Prepare first drafts of creative briefs, project briefs and change orders.
• Escalate project risks, budget concerns or client issues as needed.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen client relationships and contribute to account growth.

Success Metrics

An effective Account Executive consistently:

• Maintains high client satisfaction and trust.
• Delivers projects on time and on budget.
• Demonstrates exceptional organization and attention to detail.
• Builds productive partnerships with clients and internal teams.
• Maintains accurate project, billing and forecasting information.
• Proactively solves problems and manages risks.
• Supports account growth and agency business objectives.
• Operates with professionalism, accountability and a client-first mindset.

About ERM Marketing & Communications Agency (MCA)

Trusted by the world’s largest companies, we combine technical expertise with real-time market insights to craft stories that reduce risk, build value and move audiences.

Seamlessly integrating sustainability action and communication — both the doing and the saying — helping you make the most of the story you have today while building an even stronger one for tomorrow. With a single partner, our work turns sustainability into a source of value and impact for your organization and its stakeholders.

We build corporate connections and strengthen brand affinity through powerful, evidence-based storytelling. Our work drives preference for sustainable products and services, shifts conversations, shapes policy and influences behavior — helping you attract investors, talent and trust.

Who We Are:

As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.

At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.

Please submit your resume and brief cover letter.

ERM does not accept recruiting agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, ERM employees or any other company location. ERM is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

ERM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Thank you for your interest in ERM!