Strategic Brand Partner

Koto; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary annual bonus up to 10%

401(k) plan

Wellness benefits

Training opportunities

Paid family leave

25 days vacation

Job summary

Koto in New York is seeking a strategic Client Director to lead our Client Services team. You will partner with senior brands, oversee complex engagements, and deliver exceptional work with commercial discipline and clarity.

You will nurture relationships with C-suite stakeholders, own account profitability, mentor junior staff, and help shape proposals, scopes, budgets, and growth strategies for the studio in a collaborative, low-ego culture.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in client services or brand partnerships in branding/creative agency.
• Proven track record leading complex, high-profile engagements with senior stakeholders.
• Confident in advising C-suite clients and expanding accounts.
• Commercially astute with experience negotiating scopes and budgets.
• Strong understanding of brand strategy, creative development, and design processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex client engagements with strategic direction and delivery.
• Build and grow client relationships with senior and C-suite stakeholders.
• Champion exceptional creative work in partnership with creative and strategy teams.
• Drive commercial health: oversee budgets, scopes, resourcing, and profitability.
• Contribute to new business through proposals, scopes, and pitch strategies.
• Lead with empathy, sound judgment, and accountability in challenging situations.
• Develop people and strengthen the studio through mentorship and process improvements.

Skills

Client services

Brand partnerships

Relationship building

Commercial acumen

Stakeholder management

Job description

Koto in New York is seeking a strategic Client Director to lead our Client Services team. You will partner with senior brands, oversee complex engagements, and deliver exceptional work with commercial discipline and clarity.

You will nurture relationships with C-suite stakeholders, own account profitability, mentor junior staff, and help shape proposals, scopes, budgets, and growth strategies for the studio in a collaborative, low-ego culture.