Director, Client Leadership
Apply NowCompany: Blue Chip Marketing Worldwide
Location: Northbrook, IL 60062
Description:
About Blue Chip
We are an independent, full-service, creative marketing agency growing brands through creative commerce. At Blue Chip, we specialize in crafting strategic campaigns to captivate consumers at the critical moment of purchase. Leveraging a data-driven approach, we design tailored initiatives that seamlessly integrate with retail environments, influencing buying decisions and maximizing brand visibility. Everyone and everything at Blue Chip is guided by one universal motivation: to Bring Change. Everything we do is designed to Bring Change through irresistible creative solutions.
Immerse yourself in an unbeatable array of perks at our company, where work-life balance and unparalleled professional development opportunities redefine the employee experience.
Ready to transform your career? Let's Bring Change together!
Job Summary
The Director, Client Leadership demonstrates excellent judgement and strong, polished team leadership skills, owns the overall client relationship(s) and is responsible for client P&Ls (GP goals and growth). This person leads the client business plans and overall strategy with the internal core client team. This person is accountable for multiple client relationships (1+ clients with at least $1MM in gross profit). The Director is responsible for account P&L and ensuring profitability of account based on agency income. Directors work with teams to prioritize project responsibilities complying with scoped work effort/hours. The person in this role must champion department improvement initiatives that enable innovation and drive client value. In this role, the Director has the ability to take on agency roles beyond client leadership and actively work towards positive change. Directors are charged with optimizing team alignment and structure based on client/agency dynamics and SOW. The person in this position is accountable for operational innovation and cross-functional leadership. The person in this role must demonstrate mastery of risk assessment/mitigation, and proactively provide optimization recommendations with senior leadership.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may be assigned.
Team Management
Oversees all strategic development for client(s) across all levels of campaigns, projects and SOW initiatives
Builds high value relationships with senior leaders, day-to-day client connections, internal teammates (cross-functionally) and vendors.
Guides direct reports and cross-functional teams to plan, develop and deliver major client campaigns and multiple SOW initiatives across client(s) ultimately managing account profitability.
Manages multiple account teams and supervises assignments for one or more clients or brands
Demonstrates clear understanding of team dynamics and individual working styles to optimize day to day workflow.
Alerts senior leadership if client or agency actions/requests stray beyond scope of work, and helps engage in contingency planning to recommend solutions
Manages, mentors and councils direct reports, including onboarding, monitoring of workload, job performance and growth opportunities
Demonstrates the mission, vision, values, and culture principles of BC Worldwide.
Financial Management
Manages 1+ client with over $1MM in GP
Manages multiple client project budgets & client scope with sound financial practices in mind
Develops client scopes of work including estimates for projects of $500K+ with senior leadership guidance and collaboration
Secures and maintains client budgets, and manages internal SOW/workflow to maximize agency profit
Leads P&L management.
In absence of CL and SCL, proactively monitors actual hours actual vs SOW estimate and report pacing to senior leaders.
o Manages cross-functional client team hours to maintain profitability.
o Partners with Finance team to maintain profitability and forecast future effort.
o Manage cross-functional client team hours to maintain profitability.
Works with client to ensure delivery of contracted SOW, and internally to identify incremental client revenue opportunities and deliver organic growth
Supports the team in administration of vendor financial management
o If project has a third-party cost, manage the invoice/PO process; ensure the invoices are within budget and properly coded.
o Provides guidance, resolves complex problems
Industry Knowledge
Demonstrates thorough knowledge of marcom industry; ability to counsel clients on industry best practices; ability to identify/add ideas to industry discussions (i.e. white papers, speaking engagements, etc.)
Uses knowledge of major marketing agency disciplines to offer clients guidance on their ongoing and future marketing challenges
Understands key vendor partners for client benefit
Client Relationship & Communication
Develops trusted relationships with clients, gaining understanding of professional/personal motivations and influence
Oversees execution of best proactive management communication including agendas, client status reports and conference reports; and ensure follow up communications, are orchestrated on a timely basis
Client Understanding & Value
Leads development of client business SWOT that informs the business plan
Educates the agency about the client's business and marketing challenges at the brand/product level
Demonstrates a thorough understanding of our client's business and marketing challenges at the brand, category and industry levels
Responsible for contributing business-building ideas for individual clients at the brand and corporate level, outside the day to day SOW
Develops competitive analysis and industry trend reports where appropriate
Supports next level in client strategic leadership and agency growth initiatives
Presentations
Leads teams in drafting and delivering presentations to senior clients, new business prospects and agency management this includes overseeing annual planning and campaign initiatives, managing contributions of senior agency leaders
Develops and presents materials to clients and to internal teams
Delivers clear and effective presentations to senior and executive level clients, as necessary
Articulates agency POV & crafts storylines with guidance from senior leadership
Project Management
Provides guidance, support, and standards to CL/SCL/Sup across many teams for Project Management
Leads development and provides guidance to S/CL with respect to strategic optimization of Project Management tools, systems and resources, providing guidance, standards and proactive global optimization recommendations.
Manages details of multiple large Integrated Campaigns/projects, or smaller more tactical assignments
Understands managing deadlines, deliverables and timing throughout the project lifecycle (plan, develop, produce, test, etc.)
Addresses issues requiring upper management engagement
Provides guidance, standards, innovates with SME's to resource and develop effective project plans, timelines, etc.
Champions client strategic leadership and agency growth initiatives
Use knowledge of agency process to lead direct reports in tactical execution across multiple client projects
Champions next level in client strategic leadership and agency growth initiatives
Develops plans to anticipate and mitigate difficult project or account-related issues across multiple programs, with minimal consultation/guidance across multiple programs
Guides/oversees and steps in where needed with digital, web development and print production processes
Leads multi-team, cross-functional project and account management
Consistently recognizes trends, establishes team best practices to drive business forward
Supports senior management in new business and agency-wide initiatives
"Steps in" in absence of more junior roles, and commands the Project Management process
General
Must be able to travel occasionally overnight and on weekends
Processes daily timesheets, and confirm direct reports are current on time accounting.
Works with internal resources as well as client's legal and regulatory resources to ensure all activities and operations are performed in compliance with regulatory and federal regulations
Responsible for maintaining up to date weekly time tracking, per the Agency's time tracking policy
Qualifications:
Education, Experience and Certifications
Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university required
Minimum 10 years' experience in account services including planning, managing and activating marketing plans for B2C and/or B2B clients in an agency environment
Extensive demonstrated leadership experience in the areas of planning, managing and implementing multiple marketing programs and/or project portfolios in CPG required.
Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams to develop and deliver complex client campaigns, from planning to completion, on budget - both short term and long term project/client experiences
Experience managing budgets and vendors, required
Experience in digital marketing and social media is preferred
o Working knowledge of digital brand marketing required
Demonstrated leadership - managing, mentoring direct reports including actively nurturing career paths.
Blue Chip Benefits
Hybrid Work Environment
Medical, Dental & Vision Benefits
401K Contributions
Flexible PTO Policy & Generous Holiday Schedule
Rewards & Recognition Program
Bonus Eligibility
Summer Hours
Parental Leave
The pay range for this position in Illinois is expected to be between $100,000 to $130,000 per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective considerations
Blue Chip is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion by cultivating a workplace that values and celebrates unique perspectives. We infuse DE&I principles into our campaigns, ensuring representation, cultural sensitivity, and authenticity, creating messages that resonate with diverse audiences and fostering an inclusive marketing landscape.
We are an independent, full-service, creative marketing agency growing brands through creative commerce. At Blue Chip, we specialize in crafting strategic campaigns to captivate consumers at the critical moment of purchase. Leveraging a data-driven approach, we design tailored initiatives that seamlessly integrate with retail environments, influencing buying decisions and maximizing brand visibility. Everyone and everything at Blue Chip is guided by one universal motivation: to Bring Change. Everything we do is designed to Bring Change through irresistible creative solutions.
Immerse yourself in an unbeatable array of perks at our company, where work-life balance and unparalleled professional development opportunities redefine the employee experience.
Ready to transform your career? Let's Bring Change together!
Job Summary
The Director, Client Leadership demonstrates excellent judgement and strong, polished team leadership skills, owns the overall client relationship(s) and is responsible for client P&Ls (GP goals and growth). This person leads the client business plans and overall strategy with the internal core client team. This person is accountable for multiple client relationships (1+ clients with at least $1MM in gross profit). The Director is responsible for account P&L and ensuring profitability of account based on agency income. Directors work with teams to prioritize project responsibilities complying with scoped work effort/hours. The person in this role must champion department improvement initiatives that enable innovation and drive client value. In this role, the Director has the ability to take on agency roles beyond client leadership and actively work towards positive change. Directors are charged with optimizing team alignment and structure based on client/agency dynamics and SOW. The person in this position is accountable for operational innovation and cross-functional leadership. The person in this role must demonstrate mastery of risk assessment/mitigation, and proactively provide optimization recommendations with senior leadership.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may be assigned.
Team Management
Oversees all strategic development for client(s) across all levels of campaigns, projects and SOW initiatives
Builds high value relationships with senior leaders, day-to-day client connections, internal teammates (cross-functionally) and vendors.
Guides direct reports and cross-functional teams to plan, develop and deliver major client campaigns and multiple SOW initiatives across client(s) ultimately managing account profitability.
Manages multiple account teams and supervises assignments for one or more clients or brands
Demonstrates clear understanding of team dynamics and individual working styles to optimize day to day workflow.
Alerts senior leadership if client or agency actions/requests stray beyond scope of work, and helps engage in contingency planning to recommend solutions
Manages, mentors and councils direct reports, including onboarding, monitoring of workload, job performance and growth opportunities
Demonstrates the mission, vision, values, and culture principles of BC Worldwide.
Financial Management
Manages 1+ client with over $1MM in GP
Manages multiple client project budgets & client scope with sound financial practices in mind
Develops client scopes of work including estimates for projects of $500K+ with senior leadership guidance and collaboration
Secures and maintains client budgets, and manages internal SOW/workflow to maximize agency profit
Leads P&L management.
In absence of CL and SCL, proactively monitors actual hours actual vs SOW estimate and report pacing to senior leaders.
o Manages cross-functional client team hours to maintain profitability.
o Partners with Finance team to maintain profitability and forecast future effort.
o Manage cross-functional client team hours to maintain profitability.
Works with client to ensure delivery of contracted SOW, and internally to identify incremental client revenue opportunities and deliver organic growth
Supports the team in administration of vendor financial management
o If project has a third-party cost, manage the invoice/PO process; ensure the invoices are within budget and properly coded.
o Provides guidance, resolves complex problems
Industry Knowledge
Demonstrates thorough knowledge of marcom industry; ability to counsel clients on industry best practices; ability to identify/add ideas to industry discussions (i.e. white papers, speaking engagements, etc.)
Uses knowledge of major marketing agency disciplines to offer clients guidance on their ongoing and future marketing challenges
Understands key vendor partners for client benefit
Client Relationship & Communication
Develops trusted relationships with clients, gaining understanding of professional/personal motivations and influence
Oversees execution of best proactive management communication including agendas, client status reports and conference reports; and ensure follow up communications, are orchestrated on a timely basis
Client Understanding & Value
Leads development of client business SWOT that informs the business plan
Educates the agency about the client's business and marketing challenges at the brand/product level
Demonstrates a thorough understanding of our client's business and marketing challenges at the brand, category and industry levels
Responsible for contributing business-building ideas for individual clients at the brand and corporate level, outside the day to day SOW
Develops competitive analysis and industry trend reports where appropriate
Supports next level in client strategic leadership and agency growth initiatives
Presentations
Leads teams in drafting and delivering presentations to senior clients, new business prospects and agency management this includes overseeing annual planning and campaign initiatives, managing contributions of senior agency leaders
Develops and presents materials to clients and to internal teams
Delivers clear and effective presentations to senior and executive level clients, as necessary
Articulates agency POV & crafts storylines with guidance from senior leadership
Project Management
Provides guidance, support, and standards to CL/SCL/Sup across many teams for Project Management
Leads development and provides guidance to S/CL with respect to strategic optimization of Project Management tools, systems and resources, providing guidance, standards and proactive global optimization recommendations.
Manages details of multiple large Integrated Campaigns/projects, or smaller more tactical assignments
Understands managing deadlines, deliverables and timing throughout the project lifecycle (plan, develop, produce, test, etc.)
Addresses issues requiring upper management engagement
Provides guidance, standards, innovates with SME's to resource and develop effective project plans, timelines, etc.
Champions client strategic leadership and agency growth initiatives
Use knowledge of agency process to lead direct reports in tactical execution across multiple client projects
Champions next level in client strategic leadership and agency growth initiatives
Develops plans to anticipate and mitigate difficult project or account-related issues across multiple programs, with minimal consultation/guidance across multiple programs
Guides/oversees and steps in where needed with digital, web development and print production processes
Leads multi-team, cross-functional project and account management
Consistently recognizes trends, establishes team best practices to drive business forward
Supports senior management in new business and agency-wide initiatives
"Steps in" in absence of more junior roles, and commands the Project Management process
General
Must be able to travel occasionally overnight and on weekends
Processes daily timesheets, and confirm direct reports are current on time accounting.
Works with internal resources as well as client's legal and regulatory resources to ensure all activities and operations are performed in compliance with regulatory and federal regulations
Responsible for maintaining up to date weekly time tracking, per the Agency's time tracking policy
Qualifications:
Education, Experience and Certifications
Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university required
Minimum 10 years' experience in account services including planning, managing and activating marketing plans for B2C and/or B2B clients in an agency environment
Extensive demonstrated leadership experience in the areas of planning, managing and implementing multiple marketing programs and/or project portfolios in CPG required.
Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams to develop and deliver complex client campaigns, from planning to completion, on budget - both short term and long term project/client experiences
Experience managing budgets and vendors, required
Experience in digital marketing and social media is preferred
o Working knowledge of digital brand marketing required
Demonstrated leadership - managing, mentoring direct reports including actively nurturing career paths.
Blue Chip Benefits
Hybrid Work Environment
Medical, Dental & Vision Benefits
401K Contributions
Flexible PTO Policy & Generous Holiday Schedule
Rewards & Recognition Program
Bonus Eligibility
Summer Hours
Parental Leave
The pay range for this position in Illinois is expected to be between $100,000 to $130,000 per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective considerations
Blue Chip is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion by cultivating a workplace that values and celebrates unique perspectives. We infuse DE&I principles into our campaigns, ensuring representation, cultural sensitivity, and authenticity, creating messages that resonate with diverse audiences and fostering an inclusive marketing landscape.