Director, Client Services

About the role

We're looking for a people leader who can drive digital marketing campaigns from development through execution and manage day-to-day stakeholders in partnership with Sales. You'll lead a team in New York City at our HQ and report to the VP of Client Services.

The team manages clients at the intersection of corporate reputation, public affairs, and B2B marketing, leading strategic digital advertising efforts for some of the country’s most influential organizations—including Fortune 500 companies, agencies, trade associations, and advocacy groups.

Responsibilities

• Team leadership and people management: Manage, oversee and motivate a team of managers and their direct reports.
• Own the day-to-day management of client relationships across accounts, proactively anticipating client needs.
• Manage campaign activation and execution from start to finish—developing targeting recommendations, overseeing media buys, and ensuring timely, high-quality delivery.
• Cross-functionally partner to translate client goals into smart, scalable digital paid media strategies across platforms including LinkedIn, Meta, Google, DSP and programmatic channels.
• Develop campaign reporting and recommendations tailored to executive client audience.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure smooth campaign implementation to optimize client success.
• Meet regularly with team members in 1:1, provide ongoing coaching, and conduct performance management (including formalized biannual reviews); keep records up-to-date across internal platforms.
• Work with team management to track team bandwidth and project needs to ensure consistent resource allocation across Applecart’s client base.

Requirements

• 8+ years of digital advertising experience, preferably at a public relations, public affairs, communications, digital advertising or media buying agency, with proven client-facing experience.
• 5+ years of people leadership and management experience within scaling organizations and high-performing teams.
• Proven experience in coaching, training and performance management.
• A track record of working with senior-level stakeholders (including C-suite executives) at companies, brands, and agencies within the Fortune 500 or public sector elected officials.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams having strategic business and digital marketing conversations with C-suite and important senior stakeholders within a client base of highly regulated industries (ie. government, non-profit, think tank, healthcare/life sciences, financial services, etc.).
• Strong proficiency in core digital advertising platforms (Meta, LinkedIn, Google Ads, Twitter/X, TTD, LiveRamp, etc.) and an understanding of how to use digital media to influence decision-makers.
• Strong storytelling and communication skills—both written and verbal—with the ability to distill complex data into insights that drive client decision-making.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment with shifting priorities.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.