Understand the difference between these two roles so you hire the right one first.
An Account Manager (AM) owns the client relationship. They are the main point of contact, they handle upsells and renewals, and they make sure the client is happy. Think of them as the face of your business to each client.
A Project Manager (PM) owns the delivery. They make sure work gets done on time, on budget, and to spec. They coordinate between the client and your creative team. Think of them as the engine that keeps projects moving.
These roles share some responsibilities, which is why small teams often try to combine them into one. Map out where they overlap in your business so you know what one person could handle and where it gets thin.
The role you hire first depends on where your bottleneck is. If you are losing clients because of poor relationships and no upsells, you need an AM. If you are losing clients because of late deliveries and missed details, you need a PM.
In agencies under 10 people, one person often plays both roles. This works until it does not. Map out when a hybrid makes sense and when it starts to break.
Based on your situation right now, which role should you hire first? Write out your reasoning. Use the overlap analysis above to decide if a hybrid role could work for your current size.