Managing Director, Strategic Accounts, Project & Development Services

Cushman & Wakefield•Costa Mesa, CA

1d•$212,500 - $250,000•Onsite

About The Position

This role is responsible for the day-to-day relationship management, growth, and financial performance of a portfolio of Sector client relationships. The Managing Director serves as the primary point of contact for assigned clients, ensuring consistent, high-quality service delivery while identifying and pursuing opportunities to expand each relationship. The Managing Director owns P&L accountability for their portfolio, leads contract and staffing changes in partnership with Sector leaders, and builds the reporting cadence, governance, and account management frameworks that keep each relationship well-run and positioned for growth. This individual plays a critical role in strengthening Cushman & Wakefield's Sector client relationships and driving consistent delivery standards across assigned clients. Beyond managing existing clients, the Managing Director supports new client pursuits and serves as a subject matter expert (SME) resource for markets and other execution teams, helping shape solutions and staffing approaches before and during client engagements. The role is also expected to drive consistent delivery across assigned clients and sectors, so clients experience the same standard of service regardless of geography or service line.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Real Estate, Business, or a related field; advanced degree or professional certifications (PMP, LEED, etc.) preferred.
10+ years of experience in account management, project management, construction management, real estate, or professional services.
Demonstrated experience owning key client relationships and managing multiple concurrent clients or business units.
Strong background in client relationship management, account P&L ownership, and contract administration.
Proven ability to lead cross-functional delivery teams and operate effectively within matrixed client and internal C&W organizations.
Deep understanding of project delivery models, staffing strategies, commercial structures, and risk management.
Experience working with Sector-specific clients is a plus.
Executive-level presence with the ability to build trust and influence senior client stakeholders.
Strong commercial acumen with proven growth and P&L management capability.
Exceptional communication skills, both client-facing and internal.
Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple client relationships simultaneously.
Strategic thinker with disciplined execution and strong operational judgment.
Collaborative mindset with a focus on service excellence and continuous improvement.
Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Nice To Haves

advanced degree or professional certifications (PMP, LEED, etc.) preferred.
Experience working with Sector-specific clients is a plus.

Responsibilities

Assume responsibility for relationship management of multiple Sector clients, serving as the primary day-to-day point of contact.
Cultivate each client relationship, establishing C&W as the clients trusted real estate partner.
Serve as the primary escalation point for the client, ensuring client issues are addressed quickly and resolved to a satisfactory outcome.
Attend weekly and monthly client meetings, representing C&W and driving the agenda, follow-ups, and action items for each account.
Act as a client evangelist — championing the client within C&W, driving service excellence, and striving for constant improvement across the relationship.
Operate effectively across matrixed client and internal C&W environments, serving as a single, consistent point of contact across multiple stakeholders, business units, and workstreams.
As an experienced real estate professional, support clients as they navigate relationships between client business units with real estate operations teams, ensuring alignment between corporate real estate strategy and day-to-day execution.
Drive client growth year over year, identifying and executing opportunities to deepen and broaden each relationship.
Hold full P&L ownership of assigned clients, managing revenue, margin, and overall financial performance.
Expand relationships beyond the existing scope of services, working with sector and service line leadership to bring additional C&W capabilities to the client.
Support new business pursuits outside of core account responsibilities, partnering with business development as needed.
Lead any contract changes for assigned clients in partnership with Sector leaders, including amendments, scope changes, and staff increases.
Serve as the liaison to C&W leadership for staffing changes, ensuring the right resources are aligned to account needs.
Assume leadership of multiple client relationships (approx. 4–5), depending on account size and complexity.
Prepare all client reporting documents, including project tracking reports, Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs), monthly reports, and ad hoc reports as needed.
Develop a standard account management framework — including playbooks, SOPs, and KPIs — to drive consistency and repeatability across assigned clients and sectors.