Brand Engagement Manager

Qualified candidates must be willing to work in a hybrid work environment which includes in-office collaboration Tuesday-Thursday each week (Columbus, Detroit or Toledo office locations) . Remote candidates are not being considered for this particular position.

THE ORGANIZATION 

Hart is a full-service, independent brand transformation agency that creates growth for middle-market companies in the new experience economy. For over 60 years, Hart has been a valued strategic and creative partner to brands aiming to reach higher. Our promise of Every Day Greater™ is an outgrowth of our distinctive capability to move audiences from apathy to advocacy by designing and deploying empowering, unified brand experiences. Join us in our never-ending quest to move brands to better places for a better world. 

SUMMARY

The Brand Engagement Manager is responsible for managing daily client interactions and supporting the successful execution of client engagements. This role embodies Hart's human-first, client-centric philosophy by building strong relationships, facilitating collaboration across agency teams, and ensuring exceptional client experiences.

Working closely with Brand Engagement Directors, Senior Brand Engagement Managers, Project Management, and cross-functional teams, the Brand Engagement Manager coordinates project execution, contributes to strategic account planning, monitors account performance, and helps drive client satisfaction and retention. Through proactive communication and thoughtful problem-solving, this role helps create the conditions for long-term client success and brand advocacy.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for assigned client accounts, building strong relationships through proactive communication, responsiveness, and exceptional service.

• Manage daily client interactions and ensure client needs, questions, and requests are addressed accurately and efficiently.

• Partner with Brand Engagement Directors and Senior Brand Engagement Managers to support account growth strategies and client objectives.

• Collaborate with Project Management and cross-functional teams to ensure project deliverables are completed on time, within scope, and aligned with client expectations.

• Coordinate internal teams and resources to facilitate seamless execution of client initiatives and integrated marketing programs.

• Contribute to the development and execution of Account Plans and Lift Action Plans by providing insights gathered through ongoing client interactions.

• Identify emerging client needs, opportunities, and potential risks, escalating recommendations to account leadership as appropriate.

• Monitor account performance and business results, identifying trends and opportunities for improvement.

• Manage and maintain EOS Scorecards for assigned accounts, ensuring accurate reporting and accountability against established performance metrics.

• Prepare account performance updates and recommendations for Brand Engagement Directors and Senior Brand Engagement Managers.

• Collaborate with Project Management to monitor project budgets, track financial performance, and report on account health.

• Contribute to the development, monitoring, and updating of client AGI forecasts by providing account activity, project, and revenue insights.

• Develop and support client retention and satisfaction initiatives that strengthen relationships and encourage long-term partnership growth.

• Participate in client meetings, strategic planning sessions, and internal agency reviews.

• Support issue resolution efforts by coordinating resources and facilitating communication during client challenges or escalations.

• Champion collaboration across agency teams and reinforce Hart's commitment to acting as one cohesive unit.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Advertising, Public Relations, or a related field preferred.

• 3+ years of experience in account management, client services, marketing, consulting, project management, or related disciplines.

• Experience managing client relationships and coordinating cross-functional projects.

• Strong understanding of integrated marketing, brand strategy, and client service principles.

• Familiarity with project budgeting, financial reporting, forecasting, and account performance metrics.

• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.

• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, project management platforms, and business management tools.

PERSONAL SKILLS AND CHARACTER TRAITS 

·       You enjoy the creative atmosphere and energy a modern agency provides.  

·        You have very strong interpersonal skills and top-notch verbal and written communication skills. 

·       You can empathize with clients, partners, and stakeholders in politically challenging environments and work well under pressure within given timeframes. 

·       You are deeply fluent in digital, eager to learn, and want to grow rapidly in our organization. 

·       You are an inclusive and supportive team player who can work in cross-functional teams with people of different grades and backgrounds. 

·       You have a penchant for results and an entrepreneurial mindset; you bring a can-do mentality to everything you touch. 

·       You can work fast and independently with great precision and accuracy. 

WHAT WE OFFER  

·       An exciting and intellectually challenging job within a leading, independent brand transformation agency that honors and lives its values: 

o   We are Champions for Others. 

o   We are Human-First. 

o   We Act as One. 

o   We incite New Growth. 

o   We invite Exploration. 

·       A fruitful salary and benefits package.

·       Perks such as paid parental leave, summer flex Fridays and volunteer time off. 

·       A hybrid work environment. 

·       Generous amount of paid time off annually + paid holidays. 

·       Flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care.  

·       Health Savings Account option with employer match.  

·       Paid short-term and long-term disability coverage.  

·       Daily snacks, beverages, and full access to our on-site tavern and lounge. 

·       An employee experience that fosters and provides deeper connections, vital flexibility, personal growth, holistic well-being, and shared purpose. 

We employ great people from an ever-widening variety of backgrounds – not just because it’s the right thing to do but also because we believe that diverse perspectives make our agency stronger and more innovative. If you share our values, come find your place in our community. Meet us on @_hartinc and hartinc.com/careers to learn more. 

Hart is an equal opportunities employer and continually seeks to advance the concepts of equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees. As such, Hart does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, or status as a protected veteran. This policy applies to all personnel activities and conditions of employment.