Job Description
Senior Manager, Client Partnership
The Senior Manager, Client Partnership is responsible for maintaining key client relationships, the development and execution of client initiatives, oversight of general account and client service activities, and the ability to bring new thinking to strategic planning. Previous supervisory experience is preferred.
Critical Skills/Traits: To be a successful Senior Manager, Client Partnership at Curiosity, one must possess exceptional communication skills, both orally and in writing. They must also possess superior interpersonal skills and be able to create a rapport with people of all demographics. They must be polished, maintaining a professional, put-together demeanor. They have to be incredibly confident, ambitious and self-motivated. They should thrive when working independently. They should be a keen listener. They should have strong organizational skills and the ability to multi-task and manage pressure situations. They need strong attention to detail and project documentation.
They must possess the ability to bring fresh thinking and curiosity to clients to make them think about their brand in an entirely different way, and must have a passion for pushing the boundaries of knowledge gathering and testing new mediums to reach our targets. They must fit into a culture of self-motivation, quest for learning and team collaboration, while expressing a curiosity that pushes the boundaries on traditional thinking.
They will need the ability to manage a range of client initiatives, inclusive of: brand strategy, integrated campaign development inclusive of digital, social and traditional advertising and activation/media planning. The position will require implementation and project management expertise for all project components, as well as budget management. In addition, the candidate will be responsible for building knowledge on existing and emerging communications tools and tactics, industry practices and trends, as well as becoming immersed in the clients' business and category.
#1 Priority: The Senior Manager, Client Partnership is responsible for developing relationships with both clients and internal agency teams. The Senior Manager must guide strategy, develop project objectives, identify challenges and provide clear communication between the client and agency.
The Senior Manager should demonstrate a deep understanding of the client's business (objectives, risks and strategies) and its marketing goals, and apply that knowledge when leading the agency team through the planning and execution of projects. The Senior Manager is responsible for the delivery of high-quality client materials and presentations as outlined in each scope of work.
In this role, you will be responsible for both leading small to medium-sized projects and acting as day-to-day support on larger projects.
As with all members of the Curiosity team, the Senior Manager, Client Partnership is expected to follow the policies described in the Curiosity Employee Handbook, attend appropriate client and internal meetings, and conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times while working to instill a positive work environment at Curiosity
Tasks will include the following:
Team Leadership
Leads the team's understanding of client's business goals/objectives relative to projects
Earns respect through consistency, collaboration and clear communication while acting as a liaison between the client and agency teams
Leads the team in the execution of projects and deliverables, and informs supervisor/director of status
Proactively contributes ideas to projects, makes recommendations on how to improve process, and delivers meaningful feedback to elevate the work
Ensures the flawless delivery of top-quality work aligned with the scope of work and within the terms of the contract
Consistently demonstrates ability to successfully move into problem-solving mode whenever challenges or concerns arise
Works well with and demonstrates respect for colleagues at all levels and consistently contributes to a positive work environment
Demonstrates an understanding of the scope of work of each project, and is able to answer questions posed by clients and/or agency team
Demonstrate ability to work with project managers to help prioritize workload
Seeks help from manager if overall workload exceeds regular work
Demonstrates an ability to effectively present work alongside agency team
Client Partnership
Build strong relationships with brand and marketing managers, leading strategic planning process, execution of work and ultimate client delivery
Serves as day-to-day client contact
Maintains and grows knowledge of client's business, competition and industry
Leads key client meetings including status meetings, briefings, cross-agency partner meetings, and presentations
Identifies ways to contribute to and grow client business
Continue to hone client management and strategy skills
Demonstrate increased skills in client service by receiving positive feedback from client
Provide coaching/sound strategic advice to clients that results in clients meeting their business and brand goals
Represent Curiosity at industry or potential new business functions and begin cultivating contacts for Curiosity
Communication and Process
Ensure operational excellence on the accounts and projects managed
Develop and deliver error-free communications and other deliverables that can go to client with minimal revision
Draft components of strategic plans that can be incorporated into client deliverables with minimal changes
Demonstrate outstanding copy editing and writing skills
Demonstrate outstanding judgment, flexibility and superior client service skills as demonstrated by frequent, unsolicited, positive feedback from clients
Create and manage work plans that meet terms of scope of work or contract
Write client/contact reports
Monitor and deliver reports that speak to the performance and effectiveness of campaigns
Screen and interview employee candidates
Financial and Administrative
Financial management responsibilities include drafting and reviewing SOWs, budget tracking, revenue projections and oversight of billing for brands managed
Work with project manager to create project estimates
Monitor project costs on a regular basis
Work with the agency financial team to ensure clients are billed on a timely basis
Submit expense reimbursement forms as appropriate
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree and a minimum of four to six years relevant experience, including brand strategy, integrated campaign development inclusive of digital, social and traditional advertising, and activation/media planning.
Must demonstrate outstanding writing and editing skills.
Demonstrated public speaking skills are preferred.
Highly motivated self-starter who takes direction well, but also can also work independently, thrives on variety and can shift direction seamlessly.
Although promotions are based on a variety of factors, in general, an individual will successfully serve as a Senior Manager, Client Partnership for a minimum of two years before being considered for promotion.
This position reports to a Director, Client Partnership.
Curiosity is a fast-growing independent creative solutions agency with four superpowers: strategy, creative, media and analytics, all driven by curiosity. We use our extreme curiosity to strategically solve business and marketing challenges for courageous clients such as Procter & Gamble, Native and Brooks Running. Recognized by AdAge as a Small Agency of the Year, and Campaign US Agency of the Year, we ask the right questions to solve the right challenges because we believe curiosity is the key to unlocking the right solutions.
Curiosity is headquartered in Cincinnati, OH the branding capital of the world and home to more Fortune 500 Companies per capita than anywhere else in the county. We hire only the most creative and courageous people on the planet. Spanning from top agencies across the globe, our integrated team includes account, strategy, program management, creative, media and analytics.
Curiosity is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship status, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, training, termination, promotions, or any other condition of employment or career development.
