Skip to main content
National Careers Service

Beta How could we improve this service? Your feedback will help.

  1. Home
  2. Explore careers
  3. Advertising account executive

Advertising account executive

Alternative titles for this job include Account handler, client services executive

Advertising account executives manage the relationship between an advertising agency and its clients.

Average salary (a year)

£24,000 Starter

to

£40,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40

You could work

evenings as customers demand

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • a graduate trainee scheme

University

You could do a foundation degree or degree in a subject like:

  • advertising and marketing
  • communication and media studies
  • business management
  • psychology

Postgraduate courses in advertising are also widely available.

Employers value work experience so it's important to get as much as you can during your studies.

Your university careers service can help you find work experience, internship and placement opportunities.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

You could do a college course to learn some of the skills needed to get a trainee position with an advertising agency. 

Courses include:

  • professional marketing
  • business administration
  • T Level in Marketing

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply for a place on an Advertising and Media Executive Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

This can take up to 2 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You might be able to start in a junior position at an advertising agency, for example as an admin assistant.

You could then work your way up through on-the-job training with a professional body, and promotion.

Volunteering

Work experience could give you a better understanding of the role. You would also make contacts who might be of help when you look for paid work in advertising. 

You could try:

  • volunteering
  • internships
  • temporary jobs

Social media sites like LinkedIn can be a useful way to make contact with companies about potential opportunities.

Other Routes

If you have a degree, you can apply for a place on a graduate training scheme with an advertising agency.

More Information

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) for professional development and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can learn more about a career as an account executive from the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA).

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • customer service skills
  • persuading and negotiating skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to sell products and services
  • administration skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As an advertising account executive, you could:

  • manage existing client accounts, renewals and develop new business
  • discuss ideas for ad campaigns with clients and the creative team
  • present ideas, costs and timescales for clients to consider
  • track the progress of an ad campaign's development
  • measure the effectiveness of a campaign once it goes live
  • manage budgets, bills and invoices
  • work to tight project deadlines

Working environment

You could work in an office or at a client's business.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a senior executive or advertising account manager, with an agency.

You might also move into related areas like strategic account planning or media planning.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for an advertising account executive right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Marketing Professional (Level 4)

  • Provider: CITY OF BRISTOL COLLEGE
  • Start date: Flexible
  • Location: Bristol

Digital Marketing

  • Provider: EKC GROUP
  • Start date: 05 January 2027
  • Location: Sheerness
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.