Relationship Manager

Relationship Managers at Mabus Agency are the central point of contact for our clients, responsible for building, nurturing, and strengthening long-term partnerships. They work closely with internal pods and clients to ensure project success, manage budgets, and proactively seek new project opportunities. This role combines strategic thinking, outstanding communication, and hands-on project oversight, all while fostering team collaboration and delivering exceptional service.

Responsibilities

Client Relationship Development

• Cultivate strong, enduring relationships with clients, gaining a deep understanding of their industries, goals, and challenges.
• Act as a trusted advisor, anticipating client needs and advocating for their success within the agency.
• Gather client feed

Account & Business Development

• Oversee the health of assigned client accounts, resolving issues proactively and identifying opportunities for growth.
• Partner with leadership to create proposals for unplanned budget use and track potential future projects.

Market Insights

• Stay current on market and industry trends to provide clients with timely, relevant insights.
• Share competitive intelligence and strategic opportunities with clients during planning meetings.

Cross-Departmental Collaboration

• Collaborate with project managers, creatives, media teams, and accounting to ensure seamless execution of client work.
• Lead internal team discussions to resolve conflicts and maintain a productive, unified pod environment.

Client Communication

• Serve as the primary liaison between Mabus and client stakeholders.
• Lead all client-facing meetings (weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual), including preparation of agendas, project updates, and recaps.
• Provide regular updates on project statuses, deliverables, timelines, and budgets—including monthly creative budget tracking.
• Manage expectations and communicate clearly about any delays or changes in timelines.

Strategic Client Planning & Execution

• Develop and present strategic recommendations for clients using historical budget data and projections.
• Plan annual and quarterly client roadmaps, maintaining a prioritized list of potential projects.
• Facilitate creative planning and review cycles aligned with strategic goals.

Team Leadership & Accountability

• Lead a cross-functional pod, ensuring all projects are delivered on time and in alignment with client expectations.
• Foster a culture of accountability and collaboration, mentoring pod members and aligning them around shared objectives.
• Resolve internal challenges efficiently to maintain project momentum.

Project Ownership

• Maintain visibility across all client projects and production schedules.
• Review campaign briefs and regulatory compliance proofs before delivery.
• Coordinate project briefs and task assignments via Slack, Airtable, and other project management tools.
• Ensure all team members understand and meet campaign deadlines and milestones.

Budgets & Billing

• Manage client budgets by reviewing SmartSheets, monitoring project scope, and communicating any changes.
• Participate in financial planning sessions to optimize budget use and ensure full spend by year-end.
• Propose strategies for using leftover budget during quarterly planning sessions.

New Client Onboarding

• Guide new clients through onboarding, including scheduling kickoff meetings, training on agency tools, and setting up communication channels.
• Work with the media team to facilitate digital onboarding, including getting access to various platforms to ensure a successful transition.

Requirements

• Relationship Building
• Clear & Concise Communication (written and verbal)
• Project Management & Deadline Execution
• Budget Management & Financial Planning
• Leadership & Team Motivation
• Client-Focused Problem Solving
• Market Research & Awareness
• Strategic Thinking