Client Partner

At AKQA, we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful ideas, products and services. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive digital services and applications that capture the imagination, delivering impressive returns for our clients.

A champion for excellence and enduring client relationships, the Client Partner at AKQA is a highly organized and credible leader. The Client Partner will nurture and build senior client relationships founded on shared values and aspirations. Motivated by work that makes a meaningful and sustained impact, the Client Partner has a passion for our client’s business, industry best practice and state-of-the-art techniques.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• 12-15+ years Agency experience
• A focus on senior-level relationship building and revenue generation for a large client
• The ability to successfully organize, manage and deliver a diverse program of activities concurrently
• A hyper-focus on the details, attention to detail is critical
• Acute financial acumen with a high-level of competency in spreadsheets
• Adept at seeking out ways to find efficiencies in process and finances
• Experience with a big brand with a sizable budget ($10M+) 
• A deep understanding of the client’s customers, competitors, marketplace and business challenges
• A consultative, conscientious and rigorous approach to increase our client's competitive advantage
• Ensure a collaborative ‘One Team’ approach comprising both client and agency representatives
• Lead and inspire the agency team to create remarkable work
• Excellent organization and ability to successfully manage a variety of activities
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to motivate and inspire
• An entrepreneurial, analytical and positive mindset
• A personable, professional approach

COMPETENCIES          

Business/Marketing

• Is an inspiring leader of brand, business, and customer insight in client teams, peer groups, and internal meetings
• Acts as a leader in implementing processes to get insight permeating the broader team
• Focuses on managing fees and revenue and on increasing AKQA share of client business
• Is able to synthesize customer and business insights into the development of creative strategies and marketing programs
• Consistently develops high-impact client presentations and presenting to senior clients
• Experience working with off-shore teams and the ability to help foster working relationships across borders
• Global account experience and working with large accounts to find efficiencies, opportunities and overall leadership amongst partners
• Is recognized by other departments as effectively balancing client and AKQA demands, while still delivering high impact work
• Is able to turn several marketing initiatives into AKQA intellectual capital
• Is identified as a leader of insight driven recommendations to clients and in-depth knowledge of client business
• Successfully leads teams to execute several high-profile, ground-breaking programs (i.e. can shape good work)

LEADERSHIP

• Consistently manages client and internal expectations
• Has the ability to fly at the 10,000ft level while also getting deep into the details
• Participates in RFP or pitch activity
• Codifies ideas and sees “the story” or “the big picture” above the detail around client programs and business activity
• Is a clear partner and advisor to day-to-day clients, is sought for opinions
• Demonstrates critical thinking and perspective when solving client issues
• Frames key issues facing the client and develops recommended approaches; demonstrating an ability to help senior clients shape and inform their priorities
• Is a visible presence with client senior management
• Demonstrates a track record of work with senior clients to shape the clients’ priorities

FINANCIAL SKILLS AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT

• Displays strong financial and project management skills at the engagement level
• Develops accurate forecasts, identifies resource gaps against plans
• Astute multi-tasker, with incredible attention to detail while running multiple projects and workstreams concurrently
• Is recognized by other capabilities as effectively balancing client and AKQA team demands to deliver high-impact work on time and on budget
• Demonstrates a strict adherence to delivery management/execution processes
• Manages a team to consistently, successfully deliver execution of complex programs
• Proactively searches out best practices to strengthen team delivery
• Highly competent at working in spreadsheets and navigating financial data