Director, Client Engagement

The job overview for the ACE Director, Client Engagement role at VSA is to serve as the primary lead and point of contact for new and existing client engagements. The ideal candidate will have experience in branding, marketing, digital, strategy, writing, and relationship management. They will be responsible for maintaining positive client relationships, strategically framing opportunities, delivering insights that resonate with the client's brand, and guiding clients towards a strategic relationship. Additionally, the ACE Director will lead the proposal effort, define scope and pricing, and ensure successful execution and delivery of projects.

- Maintain positive relationships with clients and ensure the "health and wellness" of engagements - Maintain active stewardship of a strong VSA reputation - Strategically frame opportunities, develop approaches, and supervise executions across VSA's capabilities/offerings - Guide clients towards a strategic relationship by delivering insights that resonate with their brand, industry, customers, and markets - Magnify the voice of the client and keep their interests, business opportunities, and strategic needs at the forefront throughout projects - Identify ways to improve work quality, team mix, and client happiness - Lead the proposal effort and manage the SOW and MSA process from development to signature on designated accounts - Define scope, pricing, and timing in partnership with Project Management, Finance, and Legal - Run the execution, delivery, and maintenance of projects - Influence and steer the "product" while supporting a balance between the account team's responsibilities and your own - Encourage collaboration within the team to promote camaraderie and a positive atmosphere - Seek to deepen or expand subject matter expertise each year and promote this expertise externally.

- Bachelor's degree in marketing, advertising, communications, business, or a related field - Experience in branding, marketing, digital, strategy, writing, and relationship management - Strong interpersonal skills and ability to maintain positive client relationships - Ability to strategically frame opportunities, develop approaches, and supervise executions - Knowledge of VSA's capabilities and offerings - Ability to deliver insights that resonate with clients' brand, industry, customers, and markets - Strong attention to detail and ability to accurately define scope, pricing, and timing - Experience in managing SOW and MSA process - Ability to run execution, delivery, and maintenance of projects - Ability to influence and steer the product and balance responsibilities within the account team - Strong collaboration and teamwork skills - Willingness to deepen or expand subject matter expertise each year and promote it externally.

- Competitive salary range of $120,000-$150,000 USD - Hybrid position in Chicago - Equal opportunity employer - Inclusive and equitable work environment - Celebrates diversity - Opportunity to work with talented individuals - Bachelor's degree in related field required (Master's degree is a plus) - 8+ years of work experience required - Recent experience in an agency environment preferred - Strong domain knowledge of client and industry - Previous experience in advising clients through brand transformations - Experience in pursuing and winning new business growth - Strong presentation and communication skills - Drive and knowhow to resolve client's issues and requests - Capability to find opportunities within the client's organization - Forward-thinking and innovative mindset - Problem-solving, judgment, critical thinking, and decision-making skills - Strong people and influence leadership skills