Equator is a global packaging design agency, delivering strategy to shelf without compromise. We create powerful brands that get noticed and chosen. Equator is part of SGK.
POSITION SUMMARY
We're on the hunt for a top-tier Client Manager to support our team onsite two days during the week in our Chicago office. If you're an ambitious and innovative leader who is passionate about experiential strategy and is eager to solve creative business problems for world-class brands, read on.
This Client Manager will lead valued relationships with clients and key agency players. This role establishes trusted relationships with clients and colleagues while identifying opportunities for additional revenue growth within the assigned client accounts. They will ensure efficient coordination of projects from estimation to completion, and partner with the broader project team to ensure deliverables are completed on time and on budget.
As a primary point of contact, this role represents the Equator organization for multiple prestigious clients. This role requires high energy, an entrepreneurial approach to business, the ability to be collaborative, easily navigate complicated initiatives and quickly become someone asked for by name.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the main day-to-day contact on current projects for clients, suppliers, external partners, and the Account team, so a confident attitude and polished communication skills are necessary to promote the agency's ideas and benefits
• Ensure best-in-class account handling and relationship development through inspiring and delighting clients with added value ideas and services
• Equally motivated working autonomously and as part of a team, this role will see you become a key client contact and an integral part of wider agency projects. The agency will depend on you to represent your accounts' direction and express a clear strategy so you will be driven, ambitious and able to represent the agency
• Builds new relationships and nurturing existing relationships with internal and external clients.
• Serves as the main day-to-day contact on current projects for clients, suppliers, external partners, and the Account team; provides timely responses to all inquiries.
• Participates in meetings with existing clients and internal teams to identify adequate new services/offerings to meet clients' evolving needs as required; serves as the Subject Matter Expert on processes, capacity, timelines, etc.
• Ensures high quality standards in all client deliverables.
• Coordinates client-specific projects throughout the lifecycle, including estimate creation, selection of appropriate projects and sub-projects, assignment of resources, monitoring project progress, and generation of the client/project invoice.
• Translates client requests and requirements into detailed, and sometimes technical, instructions for project teams.
• Partners with the client, the Account Team, and project teams to resolve identified project issues.
• Ensures accurate and timely invoices are generated by maintaining correct project details and supporting evidence, including change orders and rework, throughout the project lifecycle.
• Initiates new data item requests utilizing the Master Data Management (MDM) process and guidelines to ensure accurate client, project, and financial details are available in the system.
• Partners with Client Integration and the Account Team to ensure a smooth transition for new clients; attend pre-integration and planning meetings as needed.
• Participates in cross-functional teams to develop and/or adapt processes, policies, and workflows to improve efficiency, accuracy, speed, quality, etc.
• Provides solutions for business-related issues and situations and generate specific plans that achieve objectives.
• Manages and balances marketing budgets to maximize Return on Investment (ROI) and drive incremental sales.
• Provides expertise on customer pricing and promotional planning.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates activities of employee(s) to ensure goals or objectives are accomplished. Mentors, coaches, trains and develops team.
• Additional duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's Degree in Sales, Marketing or related field
• 2+ years previous account management experience in a Creative Design Agency, Market Research firm or similar consulting environment; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• The salary range for this role is $65,000 - $75,000. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may change in the future. Pay within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.
• Occasional travel either locally, nationally, and/or internationally may be required.
• High degree of proficiency MS Office Suite, Outlook & Internet applications
• Strong analytical, prioritizing, interpersonal, problem-solving, presentation, budgeting, project management (from conception to completion), & planning skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills (including analysis, interpretation, & reasoning)
• Solid understanding and application of mathematical concepts
• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with peers and colleagues across the organization, as well as, internal and external clients
• Ability to work well autonomously and within a team in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment.
• Ability to work with and influence peers and senior management
• Self-motivated with critical attention to detail, deadlines and reporting

PHYSICAL ASPECTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Regularly required to stand; walk; sit; and talk, hear and see.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

* Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.
At Matthews International, what makes us different is what makes us great. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.