Account Executive
The client’s go-to strategist—account executives manage relationships, oversee projects, and ensure campaignsStrategy meets storytelling—campaigns bring big ideas to life, driving awareness, engagement, and conversions through powerful, multi-channel messaging. deliver impact, on time and on budgetYour financial roadmap—a budget outlines the expected costs and resources for a project, ensuring spending stays on track..
What is an Account Executive?
An account executive is the heartbeat of the clientThe reason we do what we do—the client is the partner, the collaborator, and the audience we’re here to impress and grow with. relationship—plugged into the brand’s world and fluent in the creative team’s language. They’re there to build trust, keep momentum, and make sure every deliverable feels intentional, not just on schedule.
What does an Account Executive do?
They turn chaos into clarity. From briefing the creative team to fielding client curveballs, account executives manage expectations, guide communication, and spot problems before they explode. They’re not just meeting deadlines—they’re making sure the work works.
What does this role look like in a creative agency?
At a creative agency like RIOT, account executives are part strategistThe big picture thinker—strategists use insight, data, and creativity to guide campaigns, shape messaging, and deliver results., part producer, part therapist. They’re in the thick of it—fielding client feedbackProof that hits different—testimonials are real client stories that build trust, validate results, and add serious credibility to your brand., managing scopes, and keeping everyone (creatives included) laser-focused on the end goal. They champion the creative, protect the process, and make sure the client experience hits just as hard as the final campaign.
Dive Deeper
Account Executives are the bridge between the agency and the client. They manage relationships, keep projects moving, translate client needs into actionable briefs, and ensure the creative work stays aligned with strategic goals. They’re part strategist, part project wrangler, and part relationship builder—making sure deadlines, budgets, and expectations all stay on track while championing the agency’s best thinking.
Related Glossary Terms
| Related Glossary Terms | Why It’s Relevant |
|---|---|
| Campaign Strategy | Account executives help translate strategic plans into creative deliverables that drive measurable outcomes. |
| Stakeholder Communication | They ensure that clients, creative teams, and leadership stay aligned through clear and proactive communication. |
| Project Timelines | Managing deadlines, deliverables, and approvals is a core part of ensuring smooth campaign execution. |
| Creative Briefs | Account executives often write or refine briefs to make sure client needs are clearly translated for creative teams. |
| KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) | They monitor and report back on KPIsThe pulse of success—KPIs are measurable goals that track performance, guiding brands to optimize, adapt, and crush their objectives. to show how campaigns are performing against business goals. |
Related Job Roles
| Related Job Roles | Why It’s Connected |
|---|---|
| Account ManagerThe bridge between brand and agency—account managers orchestrate creative execution, client needs, and strategic goals to bring big ideas to life. | Often a more senior version of the AE role—overseeing larger client accounts and broader strategic conversations. |
| Project ManagerThe glue of the project—the PM ensures teams stay on track, budgets stay tight, and ideas come to life with precision. | Partners with AEs to keep timelines, budgets, and resources aligned across internal teams. |
| StrategyThe playbook for success—strategy defines where you're headed, how you'll get there, and what will set you apart. Director | Guides the high-level thinking that Account Executives help activate and manage day-to-day with clients. |
| Creative Director | Collaborates with AEs to ensure creative work meets the strategic and brandMore than a logo—brand is the essence of a company, shaping identity, reputation, and customer perception. goals outlined by the client. |
