Client Managing Director

Client Managing Director Join to apply for the Client Managing Director role at dentsu About Carat At Carat, we’re on a mission to make every impression matter – in every sense of the phrase. From our investments on clients’ behalf to the craft excellence of every campaign, the societal impact of our work, to the personal influence each person makes when they speak with a client or partner. Every single impression matters. We’re living through the algorithmic era – a time when people expect to be understood better than ever before and when everything needs to be more joined up. This plays directly to Carat’s strengths: our national footprint, our integration as part of dentsu’s Media++ offering, and our blend of human understanding with algorithmic practice. Our superpowers? Understanding people through tools like dentsu Audiences, using AI to uncover deeper human truths. Creating joined‑up experiences across media, creative and CXM. Translating human values into hard business metrics: footfall, revenue, profit, lifetime value. The attitude we bring? Willingness, bravery and openness. These human qualities turn good work into great work, and transactions into true partnerships. It’s what makes every conversation an opportunity to make a real impression and influence what happens next. Role Purpose Managing Director – Clients is our most senior role in the horizontal leadership of clients and client teams, focused on the growth and development of our relationships at the very highest level (Marketing Director/CMO and above). In the connected Dentsu operating model, the role manages Carat relationships from media into and across all lines of business, with responsibility for a complete client P&L. Leading significant teams with revenue responsibility, the role encompasses strategic and commercial leadership of key accounts, leadership of acquisitive new business projects and ownership of key workstreams within the Carat UK business plan. It may include UK responsibility plus regional and global client relationships. Reporting into the Carat UK President, the role supports the migration to a ‘Carat+’ service platform for clients and sits on the overall Carat UK leadership team. Key Accountabilities Managing Director – Clients directly leads a team of over 40 and guides 210 colleagues in client service standards and quality control programmes, including TRR oversight, central to talent development, retention, and maintaining Carat’s collaborative culture. Building best‑in‑class relationships with clients at the C‑suite level. Ensuring the team prioritises and manages great TRR outcomes. Building and nurturing a team of brilliant client service and media planning practitioners. Building a rewarding, collaborative, and inclusive culture within the team. Creating an innovative, winning work mindset and slate of output. Pushing clients to be brave and ambitious, and supporting our people to meet this expectation. Key clients include The Co‑op, The Post Office, Lionsgate, Microsoft, Wickes and Pandora. Actively leading and engaging with new business personally. Representing Carat within appropriate industry and prospecting environments. Building a profile around the Carat proposition and client work and relationships. Developing a plan for clients aligned with our manifesto of Making Every Impression Matter and the philosophy of fiscal responsibility, craft excellence, societal impact and personal influence. Plotted growth in client income in partnership with CPS and Dentsu CCO; annual growth planning/Key account planning for the clients. Mapping and managing contract renewal and proactive retention plans. Team resourcing and career management. Participating in the development and execution of the agency‑wide strategy as a member of the Carat UK Leadership Team. Representing Co‑op within dentsu‑wide Integrated Client Leadership (ICL) to ensure seamless integration, growth, and transformational value for clients by leveraging dentsu’s capabilities. Acting as a key deputy to the Carat UK President. Person Specification Demonstrable passion for clients: keeping current ones and winning new ones. Winning work mindset: media's strategic role in client growth. Seller of aspirations, ideas and future states; sells Carat and dentsu daily. Leading transformation: guiding people through the Carat+ model with clarity and empathy. Commercial acumen: driving revenue and margin delivery across Carat UK and LOB. Collaboration: seamless working within LOB/Dentsu and across the UK. Creativity and enquiring mind: envisioning best organisational solutions. People focus: unifying culture and ensuring support across the team. Gravitas: effective communication and impact for large relationships. Open and outgoing: leading on stage and in client boardrooms with warm, friendly, honest communication. Inclusion and Diversity At Dentsu, we embrace diversity and inclusion, valuing the unique perspectives of every individual. We believe diversity fuels creativity and innovation, benefiting our employees, partners, and communities. We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or any other protected characteristic. Beyond recruitment, we strive to create an environment where everyone feels respected, supported, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. Location London Brand Carat Time Type Full time Contract Type Permanent Senior Level Executive Employment Type Full‑time Job Function Business Development and Sales Industries Advertising Services #J-18808-Ljbffr