Manager, Client Delivery

dentsu•Chicago, IL

2d•$59,000 - $70,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager, Client Delivery serves as a trusted client partner and delivery leader, overseeing the day-to-day execution of assigned projects while building and maintaining strong client relationships. The role keeps timelines on track, budgets aligned, teams organized, and clients informed, and calls for creative problem-solving, appropriate escalation, and sound judgment in complex situations. It offers opportunities to strengthen strategic operations skills, financial acumen, and delivery expertise while contributing to a culture of excellence. The position manages client communications and project delivery from kickoff through final delivery, coordinating cross-functional teams and maintaining quality across project milestones and approval processes. It tracks project finances and resources in partnership with Finance and Account Management, and manages $1M–$3M in business with senior leadership oversight while developing expertise in project and retainer financial management. The role also involves adopting project management technologies and AI-powered tools, participating in technology pilots, and improving workflows. The Manager champions agency and departmental processes and identifies opportunities for improvement. This is a hybrid role for employees within commuting distance of designated offices, generally requiring in-office work 2–3 days per week, including one Team Day; others may be designated remote according to role and business needs. Flexibility to attend an office and travel to client activations as needed is expected.

Requirements

At least 2 years of account management, project management, or client-facing agency experience.
Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Understanding of integrated marketing campaigns and end-to-end project management for low- to moderate-complexity projects.
Strong organizational skills, including attention to detail, timeline management, and budget tracking.
Excellent communication skills and ability to keep clients and cross-functional teams informed.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Experience tracking project hours, expenses, and budgets.
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to collaborate across teams.
Interest in learning and using project management technologies and AI-powered solutions.
Ability to lead client and partner communications, including agenda creation, meeting facilitation, and follow-up actions.
Experience developing, routing for approval, and implementing partnership assets such as social media content and newsletter communications.
Interest in experiential marketing and brand engagement.
Experience supporting administrative requirements related to event staffing and client activations.
Willingness to travel to client activations as needed, approximately twice per year.

Nice To Haves

Experience with events, sponsorships, or brand activations.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary day-to-day contact and trusted partner for clients on project-related matters.
Build and maintain client relationships through professional communication and collaboration.
Present agency strategies, creative concepts, and recommendations clearly and confidently.
Use sound judgment to manage challenges, resolve issues collaboratively, and escalate concerns when appropriate.
Manage day-to-day delivery of assigned projects to meet timing, budget, and quality expectations.
Develop and maintain project timelines, budgets, and scopes across multiple workstreams.
Create and manage project documentation, including status reports, meeting notes, and issue logs.
Initiate and oversee projects from kickoff through final delivery.
Coordinate cross-functional teams, remove obstacles, and keep projects progressing efficiently.
Maintain quality control across project milestones and approval processes.
Identify challenges proactively and implement effective solutions.
Track project hours, expenses, and budgets in partnership with Finance and Account Management.
Review financial reports and identify variances or issues requiring attention.
Manage resource allocation so projects are appropriately staffed.
Support monthly financial reporting and billing discussions.
Learn and adopt project management technologies and AI-powered tools; apply them to improve delivery efficiency and quality.
Participate in technology pilots and provide feedback to support broader adoption.
Explore ways to improve workflows and productivity through tools and processes.
Champion agency and departmental processes across projects.
Identify process improvement opportunities and make recommendations to leadership.
Share industry best practices and innovative ideas that support team and business growth.
Lead client and partner communications, including creating agendas, facilitating meetings, and following up on actions.
Develop, route for approval, and implement partnership assets such as social media content and newsletter communications.
Support administrative requirements related to event staffing and client activations.
Travel to client activations as needed, approximately twice per year.