ROLE DESCRIPTION

Skidmore is seeking an Agency Sales Representative who will work to identify, pursue and close right-fit new clients for the studio. This role will take responsibility for securing initial contracts with new relationships, with support from the studio marketing team and studio leadership. The right-fit candidate is a “hunter”, who is energized by finding and closing new deals that both promote studio profitability and allow our world-class creative team to do their best work.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Identify target clients and initiate contact  

• Research and understand the needs and pains of target clients, their industry, and their competitors
• Stay apprised of existing studio client projects and successes to leverage those stories in the advancement of new relationships
• Work with studio marketing to create target lists and execute prospecting and marketing activities
• Own the execution of sales email outreach campaigns
• Actively connect and engage with relevant professionals on LinkedIn
• Attend relevant industry trade shows and conferences where prospects gather

Advance prospects through the sales process

• Qualify new leads to ensure they have a high likelihood of fitting into the studio’s target client profile
• Serve as the primary point of contact for prospects and lead communication of the studio sales process
• Schedule and execute engaging prospect presentations and meetings 
• Build strong prospect relationships by establishing clear expectations and delivering value to them throughout the sales process
• Identify and propose options for new client engagements that align prospect needs with studio service offerings
• Work with production team to ensure only clearly defined and aligned scopes of work are presented to new clients for signature
• With support from executive leadership, close new business opportunities
• Track, monitor and report on all pipeline activity using studio tech tools (Apollo, HubSpot, Dashboard, Scoro)

• Collaborate with account team to ensure pre-close introduction and seamless transition from prospect to client

Actively participate in improving the studio prospecting and sales processes

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• Consultative sales experience required! 3+ years of relevant agency experience and/or equivalent in sales roles, preferably for branding or marketing related services targeted to CPG industry prospects and clients.
• Ability to demonstrate expertise-driven behavior and communication skills, including discernment, active listening, thoughtful questioning and consistent use of established frameworks and tools
• Strong client-facing presentation and coordination skills with the ability to clearly convey value and differentiation
• Degree in marketing, advertising, communications, business, or experiential equivalent
• Some travel required

ATTRIBUTES OF SKIDMORVIANS
Ability to work entrepreneurially in shades of gray

• Adaptable and flexible with wearing “multiple hats” within our boutique studio
• Resourceful and comfortable with taking ownership of undefined work or problem solving
• Ability to bring structure to the nebulous and communicate clearly in the face of ambiguity 

Desire for excellence and to learn and grow

• Coachable, continuous learner who is vulnerable about one’s own growth
• Curious and hungry for knowledge, with a desire to excel and have meaningful impact
• High creative and service standards with a passion for continuous improvement

Passionate about Brand, Collaboration, and Results

• Creative, innovative problem solver who cares more for collaboration than being “right,” the winner, or in charge 
• Ability to capture and respond to feedback in ways that value others
• Desire to remove “not possible” from your vocabulary; substitute with “how might we…”

PURPOSE + VALUES OF SKIDMORVIANS

Every member of the Skidmore team is expected to continuously strive to fulfill the Studio’s core purpose and uphold our core values:

Core Purpose:
To help good organizations and good people be their best.  
Core Values:

Be a Sage: Bring wisdom, Add confidence, Be discerning
Have the Zest: Bring enthusiasm, Add flavor, Be genuine
Deliver the Goods: Bring purpose, Add value, Be unified 

Benefits

BENEFITS

Paid time off: Paid vacations days, 11-13 paid holidays per calendar year, and unlimited paid sick/personal time after 60 days employment.

Medical Coverage: The Studio pays a portion of the premium for both employees and eligible family members.

Dental Coverage: 100% Studio paid for employees. 

Vision Coverage: 100% Studio paid for employees. 

401K Plan: Sponsored 401k retirement savings plan which includes an employer match after 90 days employment. 

Wellness Reimbursement: Monthly wellness stipend. 

Wireless Communication Stipend: Stipend for personal cell phone and home internet expenses.

COACHING & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Every Skidmorvian is supported with a customized, personal development plan with regular coaching sessions. The plans include rituals and routines for recognition; education and training planning; skills, values, and performance evaluations; and career path creation. Skidmorvians are expected to have personal commitment to their own development, and develop the ability to ask for and receive support from studio’s managers, leadership, and coaches. 

REMOTE / VIRTUAL / “CONNECTED” STUDIO
Skidmore Studio is operated as a connected team who work remotely, predominately in Eastern and Central Time Zones. Our virtual work expectation is the team is connected Monday through Friday and available for online meetings, phone calls and chats during common business hours (9 am – 5 pm Eastern, 8 am – 4 pm Central). 

Our team is expected to travel for in-person studio-wide meetings every quarter. Previously, those quarterly meetings were taking place in Detroit, Michigan. Future locations may change.

Teammates are provided company hardware and software tools relevant to their roles and are expected to have reliable internet connections and the ability to appear on camera for meetings indicated as video conferences. 

ABOUT SKIDMORE

Skidmore Studio is a strategic creative studio originally based in Detroit and now running remotely. Founded as an illustration shop in 1959, the studio helps consumer-facing organizations grow through expert brand strategy, design, packaging, website, and marketing support. The team of designers and creative strategists craft brands that get today’s consumers excited about products on shelves, online, and in their everyday lives. Skidmore works with nationally recognized CPG brands such as Vital Essentials, Zee Zee’s, McCrea’s, Smooj, Griffin Claw, Xenith, and Lipari Foods.

About the company

Founded in 1959, Skidmore Studio is a Detroit-based boutique creative studio with a longstanding tradition of extraordinary work. Using boatloads of energy, playfulness, and a human-centered approach, Skidmore helps companies in the business of food and fun reach the next level of brand strategy and design.