Director of Client Solutions

POSITION SUMMARY:  The Director, Client Solutions is responsible for developing innovative retail marketing solutions that support sales growth and client engagement. This position partners closely with Sales teams and internal departments to translate client objectives into creative retail concepts and strategic programs.

The role serves as a bridge between Business and Account Development, Design, Procurement, Project Management, Shared Services, and Finance teams to ensure ideas presented to clients are both strategically compelling, financially sound, and operationally executable. The Director, Client Solutions, will also be tasked with scoping and drafting onboarding and implementation goals for won projects.

POSITION COMPETENCIES: Responsibilities associated with each position are a combination of organization-wide and department-specific standards. Competencies are evaluated initially during each employee’s Introductory Period using the onboarding plan and manager observations.  Thereafter, competencies are assessed on an ongoing basis and formally documented annually using the Annual Performance Appraisal Form.                   

ORGANIZATIONAL RANKING:

Reports To:  VP, Account Development          

Supervisory Responsibilities:  No

JOB FUNCTIONS:

Every effort has been made to make this job description as complete as possible.  However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties the incumbent will be required to perform.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is a logical assignment to the position.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Client Strategy and Business Development
• • Partner with Sales teams to identify opportunities within existing and prospective accounts
  • Support revenue growth through the development of innovative retail concepts and solutions
  • Participate in client meetings to present concepts, capabilities, and strategic recommendations
  • Assist in developing proposals, presentations, and concept decks for client opportunities
• Concept Development
• • Translate client objectives into retail concepts, including environments, displays, signage, fixtures, packaging support, and shopper marketing programs
  • Collaborate with design teams to guide creative development and ensure alignment with client goals
  • Assist in developing visual concepts, mockups, and presentation materials
• Client Presentations
• • Build compelling sales decks and concept presentations
  • Present new ideas and programs to client stakeholders
  • Clearly communicate Miller Zell's capabilities and retail solutions
• Cross-Functional Coordination
• • Serve as a liaison between Business and Account Development, Design, Procurement, Project Management, Shared Services, and Finance teams
  • Ensure proposed solutions are feasible from production, cost, and timeline perspectives
  • Assist in internal alignment during the early stages of program development
• Retail Industry Expertise
• • Maintain knowledge of retail trends, shopper marketing strategies, and merchandising innovation
  • Understand materials, printing processes, fixtures, displays, and production capabilities
  • Provide internal insight on emerging retail trends and technologies
• Client Onboarding
• • Responsible for managing the client onboarding process
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to coordinate an exceptional client onboarding experience
  • Scope and draft onboarding and implementation goals and priorities
  • Ensure MZ honors our commitment to clients, such as project objectives, timelines, and deliverables
  • Proactively and preemptively escalate issues to leadership

MEASURES OF EFFECTIVENESS:

• As observed by the manager and others.
• Contribution to revenue growth and sales pipeline development
• Quality and effectiveness of client presentations and proposals
• Collaboration with internal teams and departments
• Client feedback and adoption of proposed solutions

POSITION REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Design, Business, Retail Merchandising, Communications, or related field preferred.

Experience:

• 8–12 years’ experience in retail marketing, retail design, shopper marketing, or related industries
• Experience working with retailers and CPG companies
• Experience developing concepts for retail environments, displays, signage, fixtures, or in-store marketing programs
• Familiarity with print production, displays, fixtures, and materials
• Experience supporting sales teams and participating in client presentations

Preferred Experience:

• Experience working with Fortune 500 retail clients
• Familiarity with retail merchandising, store environments, and brand activations

Special Skills/Qualifications:

• Ability to complete difficult and complex assignments while controlling and meeting challenging timelines
• Strong project management skills with strong ability to prioritize and organize
• Flexible and adaptable to change
• Ability to communicate with and build credibility and rapport with clients
• Demonstrates analytical and strategic thinking
• Ability to translate ideas into compelling visual presentations
• Work collaboratively in a team environment with a positive and “get it done” attitude
• Ability to quickly learn and apply new concepts, processes, etc.
• Proficiency in PowerPoint or other presentation development tools, Excel or other analytical tools, and Smartsheet or other project management tools
• Continually seeks opportunities to improve skills and expand job-related knowledge

MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL REQUIREMENTS: The incumbent must manage stress appropriately; make decisions under pressure; handle multiple priorities, work alone or may be required to work in areas that are confined and/or crowded.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: The incumbent will never be exposed to toxins, chemicals, detergents, and extreme temperatures (30degrees F – 115 degrees F), dust, fumes, moving mechanical parts, x-ray/electromagnetic energy, high pitched noises, Communicable diseases, or gases.  The incumbent will spend approximately 90% of their time indoors.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: SEDENTARY WORK: Lifting 20 lbs. maximum and occasionally lifting and/or carrying articles.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  Must be able to lift and/or push up to 30 pounds with mechanical assistance.

This position requires stooping, kneeling, bending, manual dexterity, repetitive hand and arm coordination, finger dexterity, vision acuity, both far and near, with depth perception.  The incumbent will both sit and stand performing this job.

CONTACTS / INTERACTS WITH: Vendors, Clients, and Employees