SVP, Client Leadership, dentsu X

Merkle Italia; Toronto; On-site; CAD 240,000 - 268,000; Full time

Job summary

dentsuX is seeking a seasoned SVP, Client Leadership to steer a complex, large-scale media account from Toronto. The role focuses on creating delivery strategy, leading an account team, and balancing operations with growth.

You will mentor teams, foster client partnerships, and drive profitability while aligning with agency values. The position demands deep media expertise, leadership across senior stakeholders, and a track record of expanding revenue streams within Canada.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years of media planning experience across all media channels and at least 5 years of experience leading a team.
• Subject matter expert in 360 media strategies, with the ability to articulate the role of media in delivering client business objectives.
• Exceptional understanding of the Canadian broadcast and video landscape.
• Ability to manage multi category & brand portfolio.
• Experience in +$100 million-dollar budget management.
• Advanced knowledge of industry planning and research tools.
• Advanced MS Office skills: Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, Copilot.
• Persuasive written and verbal communication skills with a strong ability to tell stories.
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and multiple stakeholders.
• Must have valid passport and be willing to travel.

Responsibilities

• Build strong client relationships as a trusted advisor with senior clients and industry stakeholders.
• Deepen client relationships to ensure retention and growth.
• Capable of crafting integrated strategic narratives that can inspire multi-disciplinary media teams
• Has proven full funnel media expertise
• Immerse yourself and your team in clients’ businesses, understanding their challenges, objectives, external economic environment, markets, competitive threats, and relevant partner agencies.
• Translate client briefs into innovative, exceptional business plans that deliver value.
• Provide insight and thought leadership that effectively translates brand marketing objectives into succinct media strategies.
• Deliver innovative, ambitious, strategic, and commercial solutions that balance client and agency values.
• Understand the client commercial framework and work with senior account leadership to ensure profitable business operations.
• Mentor and coach the team to build strong relationships with their counterparts and deliver outstanding client service.
• Drive employee retention by providing feedback to Leadership and HR to help retain top talent in Canada.
• Enhance the team’s media knowledge, expanding into data and technology.
• Identify development areas in team members to help achieve and drive their performance goals.
• Improve client satisfaction to expand existing revenue streams and build new ones.
• Implement quality control processes and systems across client groups.
• Use account plans to stimulate and track future work; manage resources effectively.
• Manage systems for forecasting accurate spend and tracking progress.
• Instill a high-performance, data-driven, continuous improvement culture within a shared service organization.
• Ensures team culture is healthy and strong and aligned with agency values.
• Addresses and develops action plans if issues arise.
• Challenges the norm of media planning on a yearly basis.
• Has an aptitude to continually evolve team, process and business.
• Responsible for ensuring team culture and ways of behaving are in line with client values and expectations.

Skills

Media planning

Leadership

Negotiation

Presentation skills

People skills

Analytical skills

Storytelling

Tools

MS Office

Excel

PowerPoint

Teams

Copilot

Job description

Job Description

Who we are

We are where creativity, media, and technology converge. dentsu X is a new kind of agency. We are thinkers, creators, and doers. We value experience over exposure. We believe in people. We listen before we speak. We value partnership and collaboration. We treat others the way we would like to be treated. We thrive on solving problems. Then, we create cool things that people want to talk about.

Role Profile

The SVP, Client Leadership, dentsuX role leads the media client relationship for a complex, large-scale account with support from the team and reports up through the Client President. The SVP, Client Leadership role will work closely to develop a delivery strategy with the investment lead and will shape process for the account in partnership with the EVP of Business Operations including meeting short-term goals while working toward longer-term objectives and balancing the operational and strategic needs of the business. The SVP is the leader and manager of an account team and the balancing of resourcing, talent, interpreting client goals, scope creation and execution, and business growth. This role is critical in building the success of the agency partnership. The ideal candidate is ambitious, embraces change, has proven ability to successfully lead a large team, is collaborative, rolls up their sleeves and is a thought-leader within the industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Build strong client relationships as a trusted advisor with senior clients and industry stakeholders.
• Deepen client relationships to ensure retention and growth.
• Capable of crafting integrated strategic narratives that can inspire multi-disciplinary media teams
• Has proven full funnel media expertise
• Immerse yourself and your team in clients’ businesses, understanding their challenges, objectives, external economic environment, markets, competitive threats, and relevant partner agencies.
• Translate client briefs into innovative, exceptional business plans that deliver value.
• Provide insight and thought leadership that effectively translates brand marketing objectives into succinct media strategies.
• Deliver innovative, ambitious, strategic, and commercial solutions that balance client and agency values.
• Understand the client commercial framework and work with senior account leadership to ensure profitable business operations.
• Mentor and coach the team to build strong relationships with their counterparts and deliver outstanding client service.
• Drive employee retention by providing feedback to Leadership and HR to help retain top talent in Canada.
• Enhance the team’s media knowledge, expanding into data and technology.
• Identify development areas in team members to help achieve and drive their performance goals.
• Improve client satisfaction to expand existing revenue streams and build new ones.
• Implement quality control processes and systems across client groups.
• Use account plans to stimulate and track future work; manage resources effectively.
• Manage systems for forecasting accurate spend and tracking progress.
• Instill a high-performance, data-driven, continuous improvement culture within a shared service organization.
• Ensures team culture is healthy and strong and aligned with agency values.
• Addresses and develops action plans if issues arise.
• Challenges the norm of media planning on a yearly basis.
• Has an aptitude to continually evolve team, process and business.
• Responsible for ensuring team culture and ways of behaving are in line with client values and expectations.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years of media planning experience across all media channels and at least 5 years of experience leading a team.
• Subject matter expert in 360 media strategies, with the ability to articulate the role of media in delivering client business objectives.
• Exceptional understanding of the Canadian broadcast and video landscape.
• Ability to manage multi category & brand portfolio.
• Experience in +$100 million-dollar budget management.
• Advanced knowledge of industry planning and research tools.
• Ability to instill confidence and manage expectations with internal and external stakeholders.
• Advanced analytical skills and proficiency with numbers and budgets to illustrate client business objectives.
• Strong negotiation, presentation, and people skills.
• Advanced MS Office skills: Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, Copilot.
• Persuasive written and verbal communication skills with a strong ability to tell stories.
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and multiple stakeholders.
• Must have valid passport and be willing to travel.

Additional information

Vacancy: Is this posting for the purposes of filling an existing vacancy? Yes The salary range for this position is $170K-$190K. Actual salary within the salary range will be based on a variety of factors including relevant experience, knowledge, and skills. A range of medical, dental, RRSP, paid time off, and/or other benefits also are available to all permanent employees.

AI Disclosure

dentsu utilizes artificial intelligence tools as part of its recruitment process, as during the sourcing and screening stages. All other parts of the dentsu application and hiring processes do not utilize artificial intelligence tools. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds foster a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better business results. We strive to create workplaces that reflect the clients we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. We are committed to working with our candidates from all ability levels throughout the recruitment process to ensure that they have what they need to be at their best. If you need accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail] or to begin a conversation about your individual accessibility needs throughout the hiring process. #LI-AF2

Location: Toronto Brand: Dentsu Media Time Type: Full time Contract Type: Permanent

About dentsu

For over 120 years, innovation has been a core tenet of our offering - exploring new ways to reach, engage and nurture relationships with audiences. Together we drive a multiplier effect for clients at a global scale, through the development of Integrated Growth Solutions that are underpinned by our promise to clients: innovating to impact. Be a force for good. Sustainability is a vital part of our business and an important area of focus for our clients. We’re leading the way - helping to build a more sustainable planet. Dream loud. In this moment of transformation, we need our people to be fearless, embracing change and ambiguity, driven by the love for their work and excitement for the future. Team without limits. We create opportunities for connection and collaboration between our colleagues and clients, building a sense of belonging and having some fun along the way. Find out more about us Who we are Our Social Impact Our work