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At AKQA (part of WPP) 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.The Client Services team are entrepreneurs who champion clients and colleagues alike. With a keen sense for turning insight into opportunity, they are responsible for building relationships that foster commercial viability for our studio and our clients business.
A Client Partner is a leadership position that requires expertise in transformational programs of work that deliver positive outcomes through products and service ecosystems, differentiated business models and the brand experience surrounding them. This role is central to driving the commercial health of the studio by ensuring the quality of AKQA deliverables, strong client satisfaction, and high employee engagement.
The Client Partner will drive existing and new deliverables, lead pitches and pursue new growth opportunities for the studio. As a key member of the Client Services team, the Client Partner will play a pivotal role in providing leadership so that the CS team-members have the best environment for excellence. Reporting to the Client Services Director, you will partner with our Leads and interdisciplinary teams to create a work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation.
Located on the Nieuwe Herengracht in central Amsterdam, you will also have access to our diverse network of specialists by collaborating across our European, Middle East and South African studios. You will work in an environment which fosters a meritocratic culture and encourages ownership, and you will be surrounded by some of the brightest minds in their fields.
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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES **
Strategic Client Leadership
Grow organic business for key accounts - lead and mentor other Client Services team members.
Sets strategy for account group - Strategic leadership of the internal team, setting the vision for the account, helping the team understand what needs to be delivered.
Provides thought leadership to both clients and internal teams.
Makes the account team aware of senior level client challenges.
Reports on client activity for executive meetings.
Provides senior clients and their boards with digital marketing expertise and innovative ideas.
Consults on their business challenges to deliver a positive difference to their bottom line through experience, entrepreneurialism and incisive thought.
Presents Strategic services offering to develop partnerships, new services and solutions that help client businesses exceed growth targets.
Business Development
Identify, engage, convert and scale new opportunities into long-term client relationships
Lead regional pitch responses and procurement processes
Develop relationships with prospective clients, while maintaining existing client relationships
Partner with discipline leads to create contract-winning proposals for current and prospective clients
Understand the language of business to grow our CX, Venture and Product revenue targets
Become a subject matter expert on topics that drive our clients business
Maintain a strong understanding of products and services, and innovating new ways to serve businesses
Work tightly with a multidisciplinary team to design a new venture that creates new sources of revenue for our business
Leverage relationships to extend AKQA remit within client organisation.
Seek out opportunities with related client brands.
Run the entire pitch process and bring new clients into AKQA seamlessly.
Use AKQA knowledge and experience to generate new business opportunities (e.g. client Academy sessions, cross-selling of AKQA mobile, etc.).
Help others to understand strategy for identifying new business opportunities.
Financial + resource management
Revenue responsibility for +€7mm studio.
Ensure effective pricing strategy while maintaining overall client profitability targets at all times. Highlights team operational issues in relation to overall client profitability.
Successfully negotiate with client procurement teams
Negotiates rate cards with clients as well as retainers and financial structure of an account
Organise team resources and configuration and sets out detailed month by month forecasts against which resources can be planned.
Uncover, analyse, and anticipate appropriate payment models and pricing structures for target customers who represent early-stage businesses to enterprise scale-up
VALUE COMPETENCIES
Innovation
Seen as a transformational leader in the industry who is capable of driving change throughout an organisation.
Can articulate a compelling business case and can galvanise the team to action in the face of change.
Creates an environment that challenges traditional thinking and ensures the company stays far ahead of competition and clients.
Service
Able to deftly manage most senior client expectations, particularly those that conflict with the company’s recommendations, and can drive successful outcomes while maintaining (or even growing) the relationship.
Develops strategies to build a climate of trust, openness and respect; forges strong relationships to drive successful outcomes.
Quality
Thought
Develops long-term strategic partnerships that support business growth and financial success; aligns own and team objectives with overall business objectives.
Identified as a leader of insight-driven recommendations to clients; possesses general business savvy and expertise in the industry.
Possesses highly advanced writing skills to present a point of view, using logic, fact and a compelling storyline via any medium.
Commands the attention of the audience and can manage group dynamics during presentations to effectively engage audiences, counter objections and sell recommendations.
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SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE**
7-10+ years working in a client services or account management role in a creative environment
Prior success in business development and building and maintaining client relationships
Understanding of a strategic consulting and professional services approach
Experience of managing global clients and leading accounts at a senior level
Comfort and experience in building and leading world-class teams
Demonstrates an in-depth understanding of wider commercial issues
Experience of inspiring and managing teams
Highly competent and confident presenter in Keynote
Possesses a strong quality of leadership, in both the work and in decision-making
High emotional intellect, the ability to drive projects and lead an internal team through various scenarios with clients
Operational savvy and know-how, in order to work with the teams and draw the balance between servicing our clients and protecting our own team and interests
Explore our extensive range of benefits here
We believe great work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach including required in-office days. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.
AKQA is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.
About WPP
WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.