SVP, Client Partnership

Mod Op•Philadelphia, PA

About The Position

The SVP, Client Partnerships leads the account management practice in partnership with the EVP, Head of Client Partnerships, oversees several major client portfolios, and works closely with Business Development. The role is accountable for deepening and growing existing client relationships and helping develop and secure new business. The SVP serves as a trusted advisor who understands clients’ business pressures, champions strong creative work, develops account talent into true partners to clients and creative teams, and brings warmth and strategic sharpness to every pitch. The SVP leads the Client Partnership practice or several major portfolios and owns full P&L, including revenue, budgets, forecasts, and profitability. The role shapes Client and SBU strategy, represents the practice across the company, and sets standards for client service, account strategy, and team performance in partnership with the EVP, Head of Client Partnerships. The SVP serves as a senior advisor to client leadership, grows existing accounts, and partners with Business Development to cultivate prospects and lead pitch strategy and presentations. The role manages account and portfolio financial performance, client satisfaction, escalations, scope, and expectations, while partnering with creative, strategy, and production teams to advocate for strong work. It also tracks how AI and emerging technology are changing client needs and agency services. The SVP typically leads eight to ten direct reports, including other VPs, and recruits, mentors, and develops account-management talent and future leaders.

Requirements

Typically 15–20 years of agency account-management or client-partnership experience; the stated range is a guide, not a minimum.
Demonstrated success growing client accounts, originating new business, leading major pitches, and managing senior client relationships.
Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills, including the ability to read people quickly and earn executive-level trust.
Business acumen and comfort discussing P&L, budgets, and ideas.
Calm, steady leadership under pressure and the ability to manage tension and conflict with clients and internal teams.
Strong presentation, communication, and storytelling skills, with a polished, credible presence in pitch and boardroom settings.
Drive and energy for new business, including prospecting, relationship development, and pitch leadership.
Genuine respect for creative work and the ability to champion it with clients and internally.
Curiosity about AI and technology and how they change what clients need from an agency.
Humility and a collaborative, no-ego approach.
Strong financial and business acumen, executive presence, presentation and storytelling skills, and calm leadership under pressure.
Ability to build trust quickly, manage conflict, champion creative work, and lead collaboratively across teams.

Responsibilities

Lead the Client Partnership practice or several major portfolios and own full P&L, including revenue, budgets, forecasts, and profitability.
Shape Client and SBU strategy and represent the practice across the company.
Set standards for client service, account strategy, and team performance in partnership with the EVP, Head of Client Partnerships.
Balance client needs, practice growth, staffing capacity, and financial performance.
Serve as a senior, trusted advisor to client leadership, anticipating concerns and priorities and participating in important client conversations.
Provide strategic counsel that helps clients succeed with the people they answer to.
Grow existing accounts by identifying opportunities for expanded scope and deeper partnerships, and develop account growth plans with agency leadership.
Partner with Business Development to open doors, cultivate prospect relationships, and shape pitch strategy, process, and positioning.
Play a leading role in major pitch presentations and build rapport and credibility with prospects.
Originate new business and initiate cross-sell opportunities with other SBUs.
Understand and manage account and portfolio financial performance, including scopes, budgets, forecasts, profitability, and P&L implications.
Maintain client satisfaction and account health, managing escalations, scope, and expectations.
Partner with creative, strategy, and production teams; advocate for and protect strong work and the people who create it.
Track and apply insight on how AI and emerging technology are changing client needs and agency services, and bring that perspective into client and new-business conversations.
Typically lead eight to ten direct reports, including other VPs.
Recruit, mentor, and develop account-management talent, building a team that operates as strategic partners.
Develop future VPs and build a leadership bench through coaching, performance feedback, and career development.