Client Lead

Brand Love Lab; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A branding and strategy agency based in Minneapolis is seeking an experienced Client Lead to oversee multiple client projects. The ideal candidate should have over 10 years of experience in merchandising and project management, excellent communication skills, and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams. This is a 12-month contract position with the potential for renewal and offers flexibility for remote work.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in merchandising and project management.
• Strong communication skills across different channels.
• Ability to lead multi-functional teams and manage client relationships.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day client projects, ensuring timelines are met.
• Act as merchant/business strategist contributing to financial plans.
• Lead teams in building collections across various categories.

Skills

Project management

Client relationship management

Financial planning

Merchandising strategy

Creative collaboration

Job description

Overview

Brand Love Lab is a strategy and brand incubation company based in Minneapolis and New York. We operate at the intersection of culture, creativity, and commerce, supporting brands, and retailers in creating meaningful growth.

Joining Brand Love Lab means stepping into a fast-growing, entrepreneurial environment where no two days look the same. You’ll be part of shaping bold brand stories, working with a diverse mix of clients, and helping us grow an agency that’s as passionate about culture and creativity as it is about results.

Role

Client Lead Role

The Client Lead will act as the day-to-day driver of client projects, ensuring timelines, communications, and deliverables are met across multiple categories and client types. This role requires a balance of project leadership, merchant strategy, and financial planning support, all while fostering strong relationships with clients, vendors, designers, and cross-functional partners.

The Client Lead will oversee work for multiple active client accounts, each with unique scopes, ranging from merchandising strategy to marketing-driven design partnerships.

Note: this is a 12-month contract position with option to renew. Flex/remote. We do have a studio in Minneapolis and team members in New York, LA, and Miami.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Client Management

• Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for assigned client accounts, leading calls, presenting updates, and managing communication across stakeholders.
• Own timing and action calendars, driving cross-functional alignment and ensuring all milestones are delivered on schedule.
• Lead weekly BLL cross-functional meetings to align design, product development, merchant, and vendor partners.
• Manage relationships with clients, vendors, and creative partners (talent, designers, and brands) throughout the product development cycle.
• Support end-to-end project management by ensuring teams execute from product concept through approvals, production, and final delivery.
• Ensure deliverables meet client expectations for quality, creativity, and timing.
• Occasional travel required

Merchant & Financial Support

• Act as a merchant/business strategist for client projects, contributing to assortment architecture, line plan builds, and competitive landscape analysis.
• Develop or support the creation of financial plans - similar to line plans (sales, margin, category targets) in partnership with clients.
• Partner with internal teams and client line planning teams to ensure product and financial strategies are aligned.

Category & Creative Collaboration

• Lead teams in building collections across a wide range of categories (from food to fashion) in collaboration with BLL designers and strategists.
• Support creative storytelling by bridging design and business needs, ensuring products align with both creative vision and commercial goals.
• Thrive in a design-driven environment, demonstrating enjoyment and aptitude for working closely with creative and client teams.

Success Metrics

• On-Time Delivery: Projects consistently meet timeline commitments.
• Client Satisfaction: Clients view BLL as a trusted, proactive partner.
• Executive Communication: Must be comfortable presenting to groups, driving executive level presentations.
• Innovation: Assortments show creativity and commercial viability.
• Alignment: Vendors, designers, and clients are well-coordinated with minimal friction.
• Team Leadership: Happy Team!

Our Ideal Person:

Someone seasoned (10+ years’ experience) with a merchandising background, tight project management skills, and excellent communication whether it’s an internal meeting, our busy slack channels, or with our clients and/or talent partners. You believe that together we can solve any problem, and you thrive on good vibes. And finally, you love retail and partnerships!

Feel like you might be a fit? Email a short note and your CV (or link to it) to [e-mail]