Managing Director, Commerce, Client Engagement (10429)

Who We Are:

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.

Who we are:

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.

The Managing Director Client Engagement serves as agency leader for achieving the department’s strategic objectives and making significant, defined contributions to the overall agency’s business goals. He or she is responsible for driving departmental excellence and success in the areas of client engagement, staffing, training and development, account assessments, and execution, financial management, and intra-agency relationships.

The Managing Director is focused on enablement of VMLY&R capabilities in the areas of Marketing Excellence, Ownership, Intelligence, and Innovation. He/she is responsible for identifying any potential deficiencies in agency capabilities and working to remedy those deficiencies. He/she regularly demonstrates leadership and initiative in working with the department and agency leadership team, Executive Business Leads, and Client Engagement team leaders to enhance the overall focus on and excellence in client relationships and business operations. The overarching goal is to ensure a best-in-class client engagement practice, across all VMLY&R clients and locations, with consistent and sustainable practices that deliver repeatable, high-quality deliverables, a high level of client satisfaction, business growth, and a defined career path for the client engagement team.

Ensure that VMLY&R’s Client Engagement vision and strategic planning is being executed at scale across the agency to meet business objectives while growing capabilities and talent over the long term. In partnership with their other Managing Directors, they are responsible and accountable for the success of the department. The idea is that someone looking at a Managing Director role wants experience in running an agency from a strategic and operational perspective.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for ensuring that the client engagement team is enabled to consistently deliver Marketing Excellence, Ownership, Intelligent and Innovative solutions as core agency capabilities.
• Responsible for business ownership over a defined book of business, including team mix, talent, relationships, enablement, and growth
• Responsible for transparent communication of the business to all audiences: internal, external, and clients, as appropriate for each group
• Responsible for ensuring appropriate level of knowledge of the client’s business and industry, as well as advertising and marketing industry
• Responsible for engaging with clients across the business in appropriate ways, with a focus on developing and maintaining senior level relationships with key clients
• Responsible for ensuring that agency culture is cultivated

Required Skills

• Proven performance in leading and building effective teams
• Excellent presentation skills and presentation development skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to concurrently lead, nurture, and grow multiple clients
• Deep understanding of agency and client financial management practices

Required Experience

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field; graduate degree is a plus
• At least fifteen years of experience, including large-agency interactive and client-side experience
• Education and experience in Commerce specific marketing practices
• Large CPG experience
• Eperience in the landscape of commerce and experience working with US retail teams before

The base salary for this position at the time of this posting may range from $125,000 to $295,000. Individual compensation varies based on job related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, click here for more details.

At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization-creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers-who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction.

VML is a WPP . For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

When you click the “Submit Application” button below, this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it’s a good idea to read through our Recruitment Privacy Policy. California residents should read our California Recruitment Privacy Notice. This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.

The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, click WPP Benefits for more details.

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$125,000-$295,000 USD

At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization-creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers-who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction.

VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

When you click “Submit Application”, this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it’s a good idea to read through our Recruitment Privacy Policy. California residents should read our California Recruitment Privacy Notice. This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.

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