Client Executive (Events)

Location: Hybrid, 2 days a week in the Manchester office
Salary: From £33,000 (+ 10% discretionary bonus + up to 10% bonus)

Who are we?

We’re the original pioneers in connected commerce marketing. Since 2008, we’ve been partnering with major retailers, powering global brands, and building meaningful connections with shoppers.

We simplify the mind-boggling complexity of today’s retail media landscape. We deliver impactful campaigns that connect with people where it matters. We create seamless and personalised shopping experiences. Above all, we deliver amazing results for our partners, driven by our unshakeable desire for growth. Time after time, we change the game. SMG is home to a world-class suite of commerce advertising capabilities powered by data and cutting-edge technology. We constantly push ourselves, our tech and our industry to discover innovative new ways to connect, sell and grow.

About the role

As a Senior Client Executive in the CMN Events team, you will own the end-to-end delivery of Events Calendar and Co-creation campaigns for Co-op supplier clients. You will use an insight-led and creative approach to shape and activate impactful omni-channel media plans that meet client objectives, coordinating closely with clients, Co-op stakeholders, agencies and internal SMG teams to ensure seamless execution.

You will be a trusted day-to-day partner, managing campaign timelines, bookings, assets and communications from initial brief through to activation, reporting and post-campaign learning. You’ll build insight-led event packs, lead on the delivery of CMN’s strategic festivals event proposition, and support on the delivery of Co-creation workshops. You’ll build key relationships across Co-op stakeholders such as the legal team and charity team to ensure activations are compliant with Co-op’s guidelines and business values.

If you enjoy creative problem-solving, thrive in a fast-paced environment and like working with a wide range of stakeholders, this could be the role for you.

What you’ll do

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of selected Co-creation campaigns, working with the CMN client team, SMG Strategy and Creative teams, and Co-op teams to deliver high-profile, bespoke campaigns against agreed objectives, timelines and retailer guidelines.

• Create insight-led supplier-facing event packs to drive CMN Event investment, ranging from campaigns delivered through the CMN toolkit to bespoke event campaigns.

• Lead relationships with key Co-op stakeholders such as the legal team, charity team, Academies team, policy team, and seasonal planning team to ensure both BAU and Events campaigns are delivered in line with Co-op guidelines.

• Support the delivery of the 2027 CMN Festivals proposition by taking ownership of delivery and implementation of festival campaigns across the Co-op store estate and Co-op’s festival pop-up stores.

• Proactively identify new media opportunities to trial across Events and Co-creation to deliver best-in-class executions, working closely with our print partner and Co-op team to ensure feasibility.

• Support commercial tracking, budgeting and forecasting, understanding how event and Co-creation investment contribute to category, team and wider business targets.

• Own campaign briefing, bookings, asset management and approvals, maintaining accurate trackers, documentation and performance data.

• Build strong relationships with supplier clients, Co-op stakeholders and partners; provide clear updates, manage expectations and confidently contribute to planning sessions and presentations.

• Identify delivery risks, solve problems proactively and improve processes, templates and ways of working across the Events team.

• Support and guide a junior team member through regular check-ins, constructive feedback and day-to-day coaching.

What you'll bring

• Experience in campaign delivery, media planning, digital media or a similar client-facing role.

• Good understanding of digital channels, including e-commerce, social and retail media platforms.

• Strong creative and strategic thinking, with the ability to balance client and retailer priorities.

• Confidence in creating supplier- and retailer-facing materials with strong insight-led content and media recommendations.

• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.

• Excellent attention to detail across campaign setup, assets, commercial tracking and processes.

• Confidence working with multiple stakeholders across internal teams, clients and partners.

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to brief, update and align stakeholders clearly.

• Commercial awareness and an understanding of campaign performance drivers; experience with Excel, budgeting or forecasting is desirable.

• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, changing environment.

• Interest in FMCG, convenience retail and the evolving retail media landscape.

• Experience supporting or mentoring junior team members is desirable.

We're looking for people who enjoy the buzz of change, the satisfaction of building something better, and the joy of working with a close-knit, values-driven team. If you love variety, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and embrace change with energy, this could be your right role.

Don’t meet every single requirement? We still want to hear from you. If you believe you’d thrive in this role, your unique perspective might be just what we’re looking for.

Why SMG?

At SMG, we hire for the future, which is fast-moving and changing shape. Do you have the potential to help shape our business? We’re looking for brilliant, diverse talent who want to grow with us - people who are curious, ambitious, and eager to learn, whether as specialists or across teams.

We value those who take ownership of their growth and bring fresh perspectives. That’s why we’re committed to equity, inclusion, and building a place where everyone feels empowered to grow. At SMG, it’s not just about filling a role but building the future together.

● 10% discretionary bonus

● £1,800 yearly wellbeing fund (on top of your salary!)

● Free Headspace subscription

● £500 yearly “Uni Fund” for learning

● 4 extra Wellbeing Days off per year

● Annual Summer conference + year-round celebrations

● 4pm finishes every Friday

● Flexible and hybrid working

Explore all our benefits here

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