Associate Director, Media Client Partner

THE ROLE:

We expect Associate Director, Media Client Partner to be experts in client communication, have an understanding of integrated digital media strategy and be able to develop deep client relationships with key decision makers. They are responsible for delivery excellence across all day-to-day operations including client management and activation, while assisting in delivering excellence across all of DEPT’s growth marketing service offerings.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for developing and maintaining a strong rapport with their client - being the trusted advisor to the client and key face of the account team. Responsible for leading communications and day-to-day team operations to deliver effective strategy towards client goals.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the holistic business for each client in their portfolio - with insights on their competitors, overarching business goals, engagements with other agency partners, performance priorities, etc.
• Responsible for orchestrating multi-discipline collaboration of activation, data, planning and tech teams for flawless execution of full-funnel, cross-channel campaign strategy and activation. Serves as the day-to-day account leader responsible for managing client expectations and effectively setting the account team up for shared success.
• Define channel mix and budget allocations by channel
• Possess a deep proficiency in Search, Social, with a core understanding of Programmatic, Data Sciences & Analytics, Creative, SEO/CRO and have a strategic perspective on how/when to utilize various channels and how they work together to help meet client business goals.
• Hold recurring check-ins with client senior points of contact to proactively solicit feedback and discuss larger client business initiatives. Relay information from clients to account & activation leads and build strategies accordingly or develop action plans to continue driving business growth.
• Responsible for all major deliverables and presentations for their client portfolio (QBRs, annual review, in-person strategy meetings, tactical presentations, etc) to ensure activation teams across the board (media and growth) are delivering high-quality, innovative strategy - with a consistent story line to push their clients business and goals forward. Assist Director, Client Partner in creation of any executive level presentations as needed.
• Always looks ‘10 steps ahead’ when it comes to flagging risk, opportunity, and future needs for client stability and success
• Ensure successful onboarding of all new clients within their portfolio - overseeing initial overarching strategy, account management/collaboration process is set up for success, and client interactions and performance are off to a healthy start
• Ensure new team members are properly onboarded to each account, not just with day-to-day knowledge & skills development, but by providing a full deep dive into each clients’ business and priorities.
• Remain familiar with client SOWs and ensure clients are billed correctly each month, and manage hourly pacing and utilization if working on an hourly client.
• Ensure we have high-performing team members within account teams and flags any issues, concerns etc to appropriate activation & services leaders
• Actively identify upsell opportunities and works with Director, Client Partner and appropriate leaders to effectively sell in more business
• Play a key role in new business pitches

QUALIFICATIONS

• 7+ years of experience in client-facing roles with cross-channel, digital media planning and activation contexts, with a minimum 3 years of experience directly leading client relationships and managing accounts at an agency; or equivalent experience on client side.
• Natural, proven leadership instincts that your team will want to follow, and your clients will implicitly trust. Able to understand clients' visible and invisible needs.
• Able to clearly and concisely articulate a persuasive point of view, both written and verbal, presenting to project stakeholders.
• The ability to provide feedback and strategic guidance to all paid media channels (search, social, shopping, display, mobile, native and video)
• Preferably hands-on experience with, if not deep understanding of, Google Search, Bing Search, Meta Ads, YouTube, Google Display Network, TikTok, Snapchat, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and major DSPs