At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead client relationships and drive commercial growth in a dynamic agency environment.
- Company: Join a thriving agency known for its innovative approach and strong client partnerships.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and a chance to shape the agency's future.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving growth and building strategic partnerships with senior clients.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior client services roles and strong relationship-building skills required.
- Other info: Opportunity to join the senior leadership team for the right candidate.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 75000 £ per year.
Location: Manchester or Stoke
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: £65,000 to £75,000 dependent on experience.
Job Overview
Following continued growth and increasing demand from our core B2B sectors, we’re looking for an experienced Client Services Director to lead the commercial growth of our client portfolio. This is a senior, client-facing leadership role with responsibility for commercial performance, account growth, senior client relationships, and proposition development. You’ll work closely with our Client Operations Director as part of a leadership pair, balancing commercial ambition with delivery reality, to ensure Lesniak Swann grows in a deliberate, sustainable way. You’ll be trusted to set direction, spot opportunity, protect margin, and position the agency as a strategic partner to senior decision-makers across construction, engineering, technology and professional services.
Why This Role Matters
This role plays a critical part in shaping the future of the agency. By owning commercial clarity, client value creation, and market relevance, the Client Services Director ensures we grow where we’re strongest, retain the right clients, and continue to build long-term value for both clients and the business. For the right person a place in the agency senior leadership team is also possible.
Key Responsibilities
- Own commercial performance across the client portfolio, including revenue growth, margin and profitability
- Set commercial expectations and growth targets for Account Managers, holding teams accountable in partnership with the Client Operations Director
- Identify and deliver account growth opportunities through upsell, expansion and strategic repositioning
- Build and maintain senior client relationships, positioning Lesniak Swann as a trusted strategic partner
- Lead commercial input into new business activity, including pitch strategy, pricing and scope definition
- Support smooth and effective commercial onboarding of new clients
- Shape and evolve the agency’s proposition and sector focus in collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team
- Represent the agency externally through thought leadership, networking and industry engagement
- Embed sector insight and market intelligence into commercial strategy to support future growth
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or a related field (or equivalent senior-level experience).
Experience
- Significant experience in a senior client services, commercial or account leadership role, within a B2B marketing or creative agency or client side environment
- Proven track record of driving profitable growth across complex client portfolios
- Experience working with senior stakeholders and decision-makers
- Strong understanding of agency commercial models, pricing, retainers and scope management
Skills
- Strong commercial and financial judgement
- Excellent relationship-building and senior stakeholder management skills
- Confident leading pitches, proposals and commercial conversations
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on leadership
- Clear, persuasive communication with credibility at senior level
Attributes
- Strategic, calm and deliberate in decision-making
- Commercially astute and opportunity-focused
- Comfortable with accountability and ownership
- Collaborative leadership style, able to work closely with operational leaders
To Apply
Please email alexs@lesniakswann.com outlining what you could bring to the role and what your favourite breakfast is.
Client Services Director in Manchester employer: Lesniak Swann
Contact Detail:
Lesniak Swann Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Client Services Director in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at events. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Client Services Director role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company inside out. Know their clients, their projects, and their market position. This will help you show them you're the perfect fit for leading their client portfolio.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You’ll need to demonstrate your commercial acumen and relationship-building skills. Role-play with a friend or mentor to nail down your delivery and boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Client Services Director in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in client services and commercial roles. We want to see how you've driven growth and built relationships in the past, so don’t hold back on those success stories!
Tailor Your Application: Take a moment to customise your application for this specific role. Use the job description as a guide to align your skills and experiences with what we’re looking for. It shows us you’re genuinely interested!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured communication, so make sure your key points stand out. Remember, less is often more!
Don’t Forget the Fun Fact: As part of your application, share your favourite breakfast! It’s a quirky touch that helps us get to know you better. Plus, who doesn’t love a good breakfast chat?
How to prepare for a job interview at Lesniak Swann
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Client Services Director, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of commercial performance. Brush up on key metrics like revenue growth and profitability. Be ready to discuss how you've driven these in past roles, as this will show your potential employer that you can deliver results.
✨Build Rapport with Senior Stakeholders
This role involves maintaining relationships with senior clients, so practice your relationship-building skills. Think of examples where you've successfully managed client expectations or turned around a challenging situation. This will help you showcase your ability to be a trusted partner.
✨Prepare for Strategic Conversations
Expect to engage in discussions about commercial strategy and market positioning. Familiarise yourself with the agency's current offerings and think about how you could enhance them. Being able to articulate your vision for the agency will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
The role requires a collaborative leadership approach. Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've worked with operational leaders in the past. Share specific examples of how you've led teams to achieve commercial goals while fostering a positive work environment.