Client Director

Koto•Los Angeles, CA

8h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Client Director is a seasoned Client Services professional who thrives at the intersection of relationships, process, and creative excellence. With a knack for building trust and a meticulous eye for detail, this role guides clients and teams through every stage of the branding journey. The position balances the big picture with the small details, always aiming to deliver work that is not only exceptional but impactful. In Koto’s LA studio, the Client Director will manage diverse projects and help shape some of the most ambitious and culturally relevant brands. This role partners closely with creative and strategy teams, ensuring clients experience the very best of Koto — from kick-off to launch and beyond.

Requirements

Seasoned Client Services professional
Skilled at building trust
Meticulous eye for detail
Ability to guide clients and teams through the branding journey
Ability to balance the big picture with small details
Experience managing diverse projects
Experience shaping brands
Ability to partner closely with creative and strategy teams
Experience managing multiple branding projects, balancing scope, budget, and timelines
Experience working with fast-paced startups and complex, established organizations
Ability to build strong, long-term client relationships
Ability to advocate for both the client and the creative team
Ability to navigate challenges with clarity, empathy, and confidence
Experience collaborating on new business, from identifying opportunities and crafting proposals to representing the company in pitches
Ability to present the company experience to inspire confidence and excitement
Ability to ensure smooth workflows and clear communication across teams
Ability to keep resourcing on track and anticipate needs
Ability to support junior team members
Ability to negotiate contracts, fees, extensions, and feedback
Ability to de-escalate client tensions
Ability to ensure accurate, timely, and valuable financial reporting
Ability to nurture and mentor junior team members
Ability to guide junior team members' decision-making
Curiosity and passion for branding and design
Active, in-person presence in the LA studio
Willingness to collaborate with global teams

Nice To Haves

Experience in the LA studio
Experience with ambitious and culturally relevant brands

Responsibilities

Lead & Deliver Exceptional Work: Manage multiple branding projects, balancing scope, budget, and timelines without compromising quality. Move effortlessly between fast-paced startups and more complex, established organizations.
Shape the Client Experience: Build strong, long-term relationships with clients, serving as their go-to partner. Advocate for both the client and the creative team, navigating challenges with clarity, empathy, and confidence.
Drive Commercial Success: Collaborate with the MD and other members of the team on new business — from identifying opportunities and crafting proposals to representing Koto in pitches. Present the Koto experience in a way that inspires confidence and excitement.
Champion Best Practice & Process: Ensure smooth workflows and clear communication across teams. Keep resourcing on track, anticipate needs, and support junior team members to grow in their client relationships.
Navigate with Confidence: Negotiate contracts, fees, extensions, and feedback with ease. Bring clients back on side when tensions rise and ensure financial reporting is accurate, timely, and valuable.
Mentor & Empower Others: Nurture and mentor junior team members, guiding their decision-making behind the scenes to empower them to own their client relationships and grow as professionals.
Contribute to Studio Culture: Bring curiosity and passion for branding and design to every conversation. Be an active, in-person presence in the LA studio and embrace opportunities to collaborate with global teams.

Benefits

Meaningful and regular access to manager for personal development and career trajectory support
Performance-based rewards including promotions and pay increases
Discretionary annual bonus of up to 10% of salary
Equal environment for all employees
Support for family leave
Significant paid maternity leave
Significant paid paternity leave
25 vacation days yearly
US national holidays (on average 10)
Studio closure between Christmas and New Year
401(k) with company match up to 4%
Monthly employee wellness benefits package via Juno ($105 per month)
Access to YCN
Funding for relevant training opportunities
Reward for five years of service ($5,000 and five days' holiday)
Reward for ten years of service ($10,000 and four weeks' holiday)
Ability to work from any of the five Koto studios globally (with planning and application)
Optional WFH day on Friday
Additional two weeks of remote work per year