Associate Client Manager

About Dentsu

Led by Dentsu Group Inc. (Tokyo: 4324; ISIN: JP3551520004), a pure holding company established on January 1, 2020, the Dentsu Group encompasses two operational networks: dentsu japan network, which oversees Dentsu's agency operations in Japan, and dentsu international, its international business headquarters in London, which oversees Dentsu's agency operations outside of Japan.

With a strong presence in approximately 145 countries and regions across five continents and with 65,000 dedicated professionals, the Dentsu Group provides a comprehensive range of client-centric integrated communications, media and digital services through its five leadership brands—Carat, dentsu X, iProspect, Dentsu Creative, and Merkle—as well as through Dentsu Japan Network companies, including Dentsu Inc., the world's largest single brand agency with a history of innovation. The Group is also active in the production and marketing of sports and entertainment content on a global scale.

Role Overview

The Associate Client Manager (BU Lead) serves as the primary day-to-day strategic and operational lead for a portfolio of beauty and hospitality clients. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and executing integrated media strategies aligned with client objectives across multiple markets, while ensuring seamless campaign delivery through collaboration with specialist teams, external partners, and offshore execution hubs.

As the main point of contact for the client, you will manage all incoming requests, coordinate cross-functional teams, and oversee the development and execution of media recommendations that align with business objectives. You will work closely with channel specialists, strategists, KOL experts, content partnership teams, and offshore activation teams to ensure campaigns are delivered effectively, on time, and within budget.

The ideal candidate combines strong client servicing skills with media planning expertise, commercial acumen, and a passion for innovation through test and learn and experimentation.

Key Responsibilities

Client Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for a portfolio of beauty / appliances / hospitality clients, building and maintaining strong, trust-based relationships.
• Manage all client requests, ensuring timely communication, escalation, and resolution where required.
• Lead regular client meetings, status updates, campaign reviews, and strategic discussions.
• Provide proactive recommendations aligned with client business objectives and marketing priorities.

Integrated Media Planning

• Lead the development of integrated media plans across digital and offline channels, including paid social, programmatic, search, OOH, and content partnerships.
• Analyse client briefs and generate insights that drive strategic communication planning within agreed timelines and budgets.
• Partner with channel specialists, strategists, KOL experts, and content partnership teams to develop holistic, insight-led media solutions.
• Ensure media plans are supported by sound rationale, clear measurement frameworks, and defined KPIs.

Campaign Delivery & Project Management

• Oversee end-to-end campaign delivery, from briefing through execution and post-campaign analysis, ensuring timelines, budgets, and KPIs are met.
• Coordinate with offshore activation teams and channel specialists to ensure campaigns are launched accurately and on schedule.
• Manage client budgets with precision, regularly tracking spend and flagging variances as appropriate.
• Identify risks proactively and implement solutions to ensure successful campaign outcomes.
• Ensure all client deliverables meet the agency's quality standards and are submitted in a timely manner.

Performance, Insights & Innovation

• Monitor campaign performance and deliver clear reporting, actionable insights, and optimisation recommendations to clients.
• Drive a continuous test-and-learn agenda, identifying opportunities for experimentation and innovation across media channels.
• Work with specialist teams to ensure learnings are documented and applied to future planning.

Requirements

• 4+ years of experience in client management, account management, or integrated media planning within a media agency environment. Experience managing clients in the beauty, hospitality, lifestyle sectors is an advantage.
• Strong understanding and hands-on experience across media channels including digital, paid social, programmatic, search, print, and OOH.
• Experience with platforms such as Meta, TikTok, Google (DV360, YouTube, SEM, PMAX), Pinterest, The Trade Desk, and Google Analytics; familiarity with localised platforms (e.g. LINE, Naver, Kakao) is a plus.
• Proven ability to manage multiple client accounts and workstreams simultaneously while maintaining high standards of service.
• Experience managing offshore team members and ensuring quality output across reporting, campaign set-up, and pacing updates.
• Experience preparing and presenting campaign performance reports and strategic recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Proficiency in media planning and reporting tools (e.g. Nielsen, GWI, Google Analytics, or equivalent).
• KOL and content partnership experience is an advantage.

Inclusion and Diversity

We're proud to be different and that starts with our people. We believe in equal opportunities for everyone. We won't define people by their race, gender, sexual-orientation, age or disability. Individuality is what makes us great, we want everyone to bring their full self to work and create something amazing. That's what we care about.

So, whether you're joining us, or looking to move to a different part of the business, we work hard to make sure we create equal opportunities for everyone.

Keeping connected

Please visit our website to find out more and connect with us on social.

www.dentsu.com