Manager, Client Growth & Partnerships

About the Role

As the Manager of Client Growth & Partnerships at SMAKK, you’ll play a critical role in driving the agency’s growth by identifying, shaping, and securing new branding, digital, and strategic engagements. You’ll own the business development process end-to-end, from prospecting and relationship building to pitching, scoping, and closing, while working closely with internal strategy, design, digital, and account teams to ensure we win the right work and set projects up for success.

This role blends strategic relationship-building with hands-on sales execution. You’ll represent SMAKK externally, help evolve our outbound and inbound growth strategy, and build long-term partnerships with both global brands and fast-growing challenger companies in beauty, skincare, wellness, health, and personal care.

What You’ll Do

New Business & Growth Strategy

• Identify, research, and pursue new business opportunities across branding, ecommerce, marketing, packaging, and strategic consulting engagements
• Develop and execute outbound marketing and sales strategies to drive qualified leads and meetings
• Research and respond to relevant RFPs and inbound leads; initiate and manage relationships with agency search firms
• Set and achieve sales targets aligned with SMAKK’s growth plan (targeting revenue growth from ~$3.25M to $5.5M over the next three years)
• Monitor industry trends across beauty, skincare, wellness, health, and personal care to proactively identify new opportunities

Pitching & Sales Execution

• Run end-to-end pitch processes, including opportunity qualification, client communication, pitch deck development, proposals, and SOWs
• Lead pitch meetings and collaborate with internal teams to craft compelling, insight-driven presentations
• Clearly articulate SMAKK’s value proposition and tailor solutions to client business needs
• Lead sales and contract negotiations, ensuring mutually beneficial agreements

Scoping, Profitability & Onboarding

• Partner with clients to understand objectives, challenges, and growth opportunities
• Collaborate with internal teams to scope projects that are strategically sound, executable, and profitable
• Manage account profitability by negotiating scopes, overseeing budgets, and coordinating with finance and account teams on billing and invoicing schedules
• Onboard new clients and brief internal teams on project requirements, goals, and success metrics

Relationship Building & Brand Presence

• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders (CEOs, CMOs, founders, marketing and technical leads)
• Expand relationships post-engagement and identify opportunities for ongoing or expanded partnerships
• Network on behalf of the agency and represent SMAKK at industry events, conferences, trade shows, and panels
• Identify speaking, workshop, and thought leadership opportunities for SMAKK partners
• Submit agency work for industry awards

Marketing & Thought Leadership

• Manage content on the agency website, publishing new case studies and updating content to align with agency marketing efforts
• Contribute to SMAKK’s visibility by publishing content to the agency blog and social channels
• Support broader brand-building efforts that position SMAKK as a leader in beauty, wellness, and health branding

Who You Are

• 4-6+ years of business development experience at a creative, branding, or marketing agency
• Proven experience working with consumer, DTC, and/or global brands—especially in beauty, skincare, wellness, or health
• Comfortable engaging with senior decision-makers across business, marketing, and technical teams
• Strong understanding of branding, digital marketing, ecommerce, and web design/development processes
• Well-versed in current marketing, advertising, and industry trends
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through
• Confident communicator with strong writing, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Analytical, curious, and strategic—able to connect client needs to smart, innovative solutions
• Fast-paced, collaborative team player who’s eager to learn, grow, and help elevate others

Why Work With Us

• We’re a collaborative team that values empathy, curiosity, and thoughtful problem-solving
• We invest in our people through professional development support and long-term career growth
• Competitive benefits including matching 401k and fully paid health, dental, and vision coverage
• Truly flexible work-from-anywhere culture, with a NYC-based collaboration space when you want it