Client Director

Summary

The Client Director works at the heart of our most complex client programmes - owning the commercial and operational success of each engagement while our Strategic Advisers focus on client strategy and value creation. This is the role that many in the market would recognise as an Engagement Lead: the person who keeps complex, multi-workstream programmes on scope, on budget, and commercially sound.

The opportunity 

This is your opportunity to use your strategy consultancy background - likely at Senior Manager level from a top-tier strategy or media consultancy - in a model that goes further than traditional consulting. If you’ve found pure strategy work too detached from implementation and want to see your thinking translate into real outcomes for ambitious B2B media businesses, we’d love to hear from you.

What is the role?

You will take overall commercial responsibility for Collingwood’s most demanding client engagements. You’ll design the delivery architecture at proposal stage - defining workstreams, milestones, and the right resource mix - and stay accountable for it throughout. You’ll own the P&L, manage budget burn, and lead the scope change process when client needs evolve.

Senior client relationships come with the territory. You’ll be the primary commercial point of contact with founders, CEOs, and boards, bringing the structured thinking and rigour your background has built - applied to businesses where the work actually gets done.

About you

Essential:

• Senior Manager level experience at a top-tier strategy or media consultancy (e.g., McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Big 4, OC&C, FT Strategies, or similar), with a media or information sector focus
   
• Proven ability to lead complex client engagements: scoping, resourcing, delivery governance, and margin management
   
• Experienced in managing CEO and board-level relationships
   
• Deep knowledge of B2B media business models - with particular exposure to subscription or membership models alongside digital media, events, or marketing services
   
• Intellectually strong and structured; able to translate strategic thinking into granular workplans and commercial frameworks
   
• Drawn to an embedded, hands-on advisory model rather than arms-length strategy delivery
   

Attributes:

• Proactive communicator; humility, empathy, and strong listening skills
   
• Persuasive and supportive; able to get clients to change their approach through collegiate and respectful negotiation
   
• A team worker who shares potential challenges with colleagues to find better solutions

Key Information

• Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
   
• Working location: London - hybrid (UK)
   
• Department: Advisory
   
• Hours: Full-time (part-time possible)