Client Partner (Manufacturing)

Aquent; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Aquent is seeking a Client Partner in the Chicago area to drive revenue growth and deepen strategic relationships with enterprise clients, including Fortune 500 brands. You will translate client goals into tailored, high-value engagements and position Aquent as a trusted strategic partner.

In this role you will lead executive conversations with leaders across Marketing, Finance, HR and Operations, build cross-functional teams, and guide multi-year growth plans while navigating complex,

Qualifications

• 3–8 years in enterprise, consultative B2B sales with multimillion-dollar accounts.
• Ability to map complex corporate structures and influence senior leaders.
• Strong forecasting, pricing, margin optimization, and contract negotiation.
• Experience leveraging AI and modern tech to streamline sales workflows.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic account plans across enterprise accounts.
• Build and maintain C-suite relationships to unlock new buying centers.
• Identify, pursue, and close cross-sell and upsell staffing opportunities.
• Lead the RFP/RFI process and negotiate high-value contracts.
• Collaborate with Recruiting, Marketing, Finance, Legal to tailor workforce solutions.
• Monitor account health and mitigate risk to protect retention.

Skills

Enterprise sales

Strategic account management

Executive relationship building

Cross-functional leadership

RFP/RFI process

Forecasting & pricing

Negotiation

AI in sales workflows

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or related field

Tools

CRM (Salesforce)

MS Excel

Job description

As a Client Partner, you will drive revenue growth and expand strategic relationships across a portfolio of enterprise clients (typically Fortune 500 brands). Serving as a trusted advisor, you will lead consultative conversations with executive stakeholders—including Functional Leaders (Marketing, Creative, Finance, Business Operations, etc.), Talent Acquisition, HR, Procurement, and Managed Service Provider partners to position Aquent’s staffing and workforce solutions. You will be responsible for translating client goals into tailored, high-value engagements that grow account share, exceed financial targets, and solidify Aquent’s position as a strategic partner.

Ideal candidates are based in the following region: Chicago Metro

Core Attributes & Key Competencies

• Growth Mindset & Resilience: Possess high grit, determination, and adaptability to navigate complex enterprise sales environments and overcome objections.
• Consultative & Strategic Thinking: Natural curiosity and empathy to uncover underlying client challenges and architect multi-year growth strategies.
• Executive Presence & Influence: Clear, persuasive communication skills paired with high Emotional Intelligence (EQ) to build credibility with senior leadership.
• Agile Problem-Solving: Resourceful and critical thinker who takes proactive ownership of client challenges and internal solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Account Strategy & Portfolio Growth: Develop and execute strategic account plans to maximize revenue, improve retention, and hit margin targets across assigned enterprise accounts.
• Executive Relationship Building: Establish and maintain high-trust relationships with C-suite, Procurement, HR, and Functional Leaders to unlock new buying centers.
• Opportunity Generation: Identify, pursue, and close cross-sell and upsell staffing opportunities, driving consultative sales presentations that demonstrate Aquent’s differentiated value.
• Deal Execution & RFPs: Direct the RFP/RFI process and lead contract negotiations to secure high-value agreements.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Partner seamlessly with internal teams (Recruiting, GBS, Marketing, Finance, Legal) to design and deliver tailored workforce solutions.
• Account Health & Risk Mitigation: Proactively monitor client satisfaction, address operational friction points, and safeguard portfolio retention.

Qualifications

Must-Have Experience & Skills

• 3-8 years of enterprise, consultative B2B sales experience with a proven track record of managing multimillion-dollar accounts and navigating complex, multi-stakeholder deal cycles.
• Proven ability to navigate and map complex corporate structures, cultivate senior-level influence, and articulate distinct competitive advantages to unlock new revenue streams across diverse business units.
• Solid business and financial acumen, with direct experience in forecasting, pricing models, margin optimization, and contract negotiation.
• Demonstrated ability to strategically leverage AI and modern technologies to streamline workflows, drive sales efficiency, and enhance overall account capabilities.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and formal presentation skills.

Nice-To-Have Experience & Skills

• Prior experience selling to Utility and Industrial spaces (i.e. manufacturing, engineering, cybersecurity, procurement, supply chain, renewable energy)

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Energy Systems, Engineering, Public Policy, Public Administration or a related field.