Account Management Lead

About SmartNews 

SmartNews is a leading global information and news discovery company dedicated to delivering quality information to the people who need it. Thanks to our unique machine-learning technology and relationships with more than 3,000 global publisher partners, we provide news that matters to millions of users.

Founded in 2012 in Tokyo, SmartNews also has offices in Osaka (Kansai Office), Palo Alto, New York and Singapore.

If you share our vision and are passionate about our mission, we encourage you to apply!

About The Team

Our team is dedicated to maximizing the value and success of our advertisers and agency partners. We bridge the gap between client business goals and our advanced native advertising solutions by driving post-sales campaign optimization, retention, and long-term revenue growth. Through close collaboration with Sales, Ad Operations, and Product teams, we translate real-time performance data and client feedback into actionable insights that continuously evolve our advertising ecosystem and platform capabilities.

About The Role

In this role, you will act as the strategic partner and primary point of contact for our key advertisers and agency accounts, taking complete ownership of their campaign success and long-term growth. You will blend exceptional relationship management with deep analytical expertise to optimize critical performance marketing metrics (such as ROAS, CPA, and CTR), uncover upsell opportunities, and provide data-driven recommendations that secure client retention. Additionally, you will serve as a vital cross-functional liaison—collaborating closely with Ad Operations, Product, and Engineering to resolve complex issues and directly influence the future direction of our native advertising product suite by championing the voice of our clients.

• Manage and grow relationships with advertisers, agencies, and strategic partners while serving as the primary point of contact for campaign performance and issue resolution
• Monitor and optimize campaign performance across key metrics including CTR, CPC, CPA, ROAS, conversion rate, and revenue delivery
• Provide data-driven recommendations to improve advertiser outcomes, retention, and long-term account growth
• Partner with Sales teams on advertiser onboarding, account expansion, upsell opportunities, and strategic revenue initiatives
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Ad Operations, Product, and Engineering teams to resolve issues and improve platform capabilities
• Educate advertisers on native advertising best practices, including creative optimization, targeting strategies, and campaign performance insights, while sharing customer feedback to help shape product direction

Minimum requirements

• 3-5+ years of experience in account management or sales development within the digital advertising and performance marketing ecosystem.
• Direct experience managing client-side relationships with advertisers, agencies, DSPs, or publisher monetization platforms.
• Proven analytical mindset and deep expertise in campaign optimization, with the ability to interpret key performance metrics (e.g., ROAS, CPA, CTR) and provide data-driven recommendations.
• Exceptional communication, relationship, and stakeholder management skills, combined with the ability to manage multiple complex accounts autonomously.

Nice to have experiences/skills

• Experience working in both an early-stage startup and a large, established organization.
• Having multicultural background or working experience

Benefits available at the SmartNews US Office

• Compensation range: $1500,000 to $200,000 base salary, plus bonus
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Up to 100% medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family
• Benefit plan with monthly allowances
• Complimentary lunch, snacks, and beverages in the office

Click here or visit our careers site for more info about our benefits.