Managing Partner

An international brand consultancy with a reputation built over more than a decade is making its first hire in the US. The decision to put someone on the ground in New York isn’t speculative. The work is already there. Now they need the right person to own it.

As founding hires go, this is an interesting one. There’s ambiguity, so we need someone who can thrive in the unknown. That said, there’s also real pedigree, process and support to springboard from and maximise success.

The founders are considered, ambitious, and fervent in their pursuit of being the best brand agency in the world. This isn’t about new beginnings or starting from scratch. It’s someone who can help shape their next chapter, harness what they’ve built, and realise that vision.

The Role

You’ll be the face of the studio in the US – the primary relationship holder for existing US clients. That means three things:

• Clients – owning the senior relationships with existing US clients, and converting the right inbound interest.
• Growth – originating new business the consultative way: out in the room, at the industry dinners and client-side conversations, building a network and letting it convert on its own timeline. Some of this takes a year to pay off, and you’re comfortable with that.
• The operation – standing the studio up. Office setup, hiring as you grow, the unglamorous but essential business of visas, health insurance, and US compliance.

The Package

$225,000 – $300,000

New York-based

A founding role with genuine influence over the shape of the US studio

The Person

You’ve grown client accounts and driven new business in a brand or creative agency environment, and you can point to relationships you’ve owned and grown – not just managed.

You’re at ease with ambiguity. The role will move with the market, and the shape of it a year in is not fully knowable today – for the right person, that’s the appeal, not the red flag.

Charisma and easy company are not soft extras here: this is a role built on hours of client contact and, early on, a lot of trust extended. Clients and colleagues alike need to enjoy having you in the room.

Everything above describes the obvious fit – the person with the title and the years to match. But this studio is open to something less obvious. If you’re a level or two below this on paper but you know you’re ready to stretch into it over time, and you’ve got the energy, the drive, the hunger, don’t count yourself out. Some of the best first hires into a new market are the ones with more raw ambition than box-ticking experience.