We are always scouting for talent. So if you can’t imagine working anywhere else don’t hesitate to contact Jeremy Benson. The agency is an equal opportunity employer with a competitive compensation package including, among other benefits, a 401(k) program and sabbatical policy.

What’s our human resource strategy? The agency was founded using a simple but powerful “people” strategy it calls the “Upward Spiral.”  The agency hires truly outstanding people, who deliver stellar results, which attract the right clients, who allow the agency to hire more great professionals, and so on. The strategy is self-reinforcing and it influences every aspect of the company, from finance to operations.

How is the agency organized? In 2009, Benson was re-organized around interdisciplinary account teams rather than functional groups (PR, Digital, etc.). This change complemented its integrated approach to projects, which combine PR, Social Media, Trade Promotions and Branding into cohesive campaigns. Today, client teams typically include a diverse group of specialists, located in both Napa Valley and New York City, but campaigns are managed by one account manager. The structure promotes creativity and coordination.

OPEN POSITIONS

Title: Account Executive
Anticipated Hire Date: June 2013
Contact: Jeremy Benson at benson@bensonmarketing.com
Location:  New York, New York
Full time

Company

Benson Marketing Group is a leading wine and spirits marketing agency providing public relations, social media, trade promotion, and brand consulting services in the U.S. and France. It is the only wine-focused marketing agency with offices in New York, Napa Valley and Paris. Clients are primarily wineries, spirits marketers and winegrowing regions.

Many campaigns promote a central theme or message using a wide variety of marketing functions. For example, a single campaign may incorporate trade promotions, social media and press coverage to increase a client’s retail distribution and simultaneously drive consumer sales.

Clients benefit from working with cross-functional account teams, all in one company, and the opportunities that arise by working with a well-connected, creative agency with a reputable client roster.  This combination of industry focus and service integration is unique. It is a key reason Benson’s average client engagement exceeds four years.

Nature & Scope of Position
Benson is looking to build its talented New York team with additional skills and experience in the area of wine and spirits trade promotions, and to help develop this service to its full potential. (See our website for a description of our trade promotion service.)

Candidates will have brand management, wholesale and/or retail sales experience in the wine and spirits sector.  The winning candidate will likely have experience creating and executing trade promotions, trade educational programs, and special events for professional buyers and sommeliers. Candidates should have a good understanding of the support buyers need to increase sales, educate their staff and clientele, and differentiate their offer.

Client relations experience is an obvious requirement, and the winning candidate will have experience reporting directly to wine producers, export managers and/or brand managers, and will have experience in project management. Fluency in French is a requirement.

With experience in both sales-facing and client-facing roles, the candidate’s primarily role in the agency will be trade promotions and marketing communications. He or she will also work closely with specialists in Public Relations, digital media, and social media.  (The agency has three staff members in New York, ten in Napa, and one in France.) The role will also have responsibilities for client reporting, event coordination, timeline management, event coordination, and other responsibilities associated with the position.

This is not an entry level position nor a telecommuting position, and some travel is required (less than 15%).

This is an opportunity to build on wine and spirits brand management experience by tackling new challenges for international and domestic brands and regions, all in the setting of a dynamic agency of professional marketers.

Required Qualifications
Candidates should not send a resume if they do not meet these criteria:

• Required: 3+ years of experience in brand management, wine retail sales, or wine wholesaling
• Fluency in French required; Spanish language skills a plus
• Top 5% in oral and written communications skills—strong writing skills required, and professional copy writing experience a plus
• Fluency in PowerPoint and Excel required
• Demonstrated experience selling results to clients
• Valid driver’s license; 21 years or older required (for wine purchasing)
• Must be able to lift 40 pounds.

Desired Personal Attributes

• Team player
• Professional, positive attitude
• Strategic thinker
• Tenacious, unflappable, not easily discouraged
• A follower of all things wine, current events and popular culture
• An outgoing personality accustomed to proactive communications with staff and clients
• Resourceful, solutions-oriented, flexibility to handle shifting priorities
• Well-organized, detail oriented style, with proven project management skills.

Compensation:  To be determined based on skills and experience.  Benefits include 401k program, medical insurance, generous vacation policy, and sabbatical policy.