Senior Client Leader (Greater Chicago Area)

Job Summary

The Senior Client Leader will report to a Supervisor, Associate Director, or Director of Client Leadership and may manage Client Coordinators and/or Client Leaders. The Senior Client Leader is the primary agency contact for key clients within the team; responsible for managing and maximizing results for client's marketing programs, and sound financial management across the entire client P&L. This person is charged to integrate best practices within the industry and provides focused direction to the client team in all day-to-day business activity. The SCL will lead low-level risk mitigation/conflict resolution and manage larger, more complex, and higher profile projects. The person in this position will gain, share, and apply subject matter marketing expertise to maximize the client’s experience. In this role, the Senior Client Leader will manage projects from estimating, scheduling and management of the work through the project lifecycle. This person will strive for project excellence with varying oversight from the senior team. Client Leaders become a key internal and client team member, with shared responsibility for one or several different client teams/partnerships.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Team Management

• Lead strategic development for campaigns and projects with Supervisor+ guidance for more complex projects/campaigns
• Build high value relationships with day-to-day contacts, internal, vendor and client relationships
• Lead cross-functional team involvement on client SOW for client projects with Supervisor+ guidance for more complex projects
• Demonstrate clear understanding of team dynamics and individual working styles to optimize day to day workflow.
• Alert leadership if client or agency actions/requests stray beyond scope of work, and help engage in contingency planning to recommend solutions
• Actively manage and council direct reports, including onboarding, monitoring of workload, job performance and growth opportunities
• Mentors and develops team members

Financial Management

• Manage multiple client project budgets & client scope with sound financial practices in mind
• Work as conduit between client’s finance systems and Blue Chip’s finance team to ensure budget accuracy.
• Develop client scopes of work including estimates for projects under $50K
• Demonstrate basic knowledge and understanding the finance process and P&L management
• Proactively monitor actual hours vs SOW estimate and reports pacing to senior leaders.
• Manage cross-functional client team hours to maintain profitability.
• Support senior leaders to work with client and internal departments to identify and secure client budgets, as necessary
• Supports the team in administration of vendor financial management
• If project has a third-party cost, manage the invoice/PO process; ensure the invoices are within budget and properly coded.
• Resolve vendor financial management problems independently

Client Relationship & Communication

• Assigned to Junior, Mid-Level and some Senior-Level clients by the VP/Director, based on availability and expertise/capability, responsibilities may go beyond a single specific client or client team
• Develop trusted relationships with clients, gaining understanding of professional/personal motivations and influence
• Ensure proactive management communication including agendas, client status reports and conference reports and follow up communications, are orchestrated on a timely basis

Presentations

• Lead the development of presentation materials
• Deliver clear and effective presentations to junior, mid and some senior-level clients, as necessary
• Articulate agency POV & craft storylines with guidance from senior leadership

Project Management

• Must demonstrate mastery of Client Leader project management skills and abilities
• Act as key agency communication hub with internal team(s) and external client communication driving for full clarity as needed during the five (5) basic phases of the Project life cycle:
• Planning, Initiation, Development, review and approval, Activation & Execution, Financial Reconciliation, and audit
• Manage details of large Integrated Campaigns/projects, or smaller more tactical assignments
• Understands managing deadlines, deliverables, and timing throughout the project lifecycle (plan, develop, produce, test, etc.)
• Works with SME's to resource and develop effective project plans, timelines, etc.
• Support next level in client strategic leadership and agency growth initiatives
• Use knowledge of agency process to lead direct reports in tactical execution across all individual client projects
• Support next level in client strategic leadership and agency growth initiatives
• Develop plans to resolve difficult project or account-related issues
• Ability to drive digital, web development and print production process
• Lead cross-functional team management

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university required
• At least 3-5 years of experience in account services including planning, managing, and activating marketing plans for B2C and/or B2B clients
• Agency experience in marketing, advertising and related fields required
• CPG experience preferred
• Experience in digital marketing and social media is preferred
• Working knowledge of digital brand marketing required
• Prior experience managing others preferred
• Prior experience managing vendors desired

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 $70,000 to $85,000 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