Client Manager

Job Description Based out of our London studio, you’ll be at the heart of our client partnerships, driving projects with clarity and ambition while inspiring teams to deliver their best work. You’ll balance strategic thinking with seamless execution, building trust with clients and shaping brand design that’s both creatively outstanding and commercially sharp. WHO YOU ARE You’re dependable, thoughtful and increasingly autonomous, trusted to manage projects and relationships with confidence and care. You take real ownership of delivery, keeping things smooth, structured, and on brief. You think commercially and act proactively, balancing internal needs with client priorities. You’re growing into a strong partner who sees the bigger picture and helps others connect to it too. You bring energy, insight and a constant drive to do better – always reflecting JDO’s Promise & Belief in how you show up and support the work. RESPONSIBILITIES Client partnership Lead the day-to-day delivery across your accounts, managing timelines, tasks and expectations with clarity and care. You’re central to how clients experience JDO, balancing calm control with forward momentum. You help shape an environment where creative thinking can thrive because the foundations are solid. Business growth Contribute to proposals and plans that speak clearly to client needs, with a strategic eye and creative understanding. You bring insight and thoughtfulness to every touchpoint, helping grow business organically by adding value beyond the brief. Client relationship management Nurture trusted, warm and effective relationships with your direct client contacts. You manage expectations with integrity and openness: listening actively, responding thoughtfully and staying present even when things get complex. Project management & operational excellence You’re across every detail of delivery, from timeline tracking and resource planning to status docs and contact reports. You don’t just chase; you connect the dots. You keep things tidy, timely and transparent so that creativity can move with freedom and focus. Commercial acumen Own the financial tracking on your projects: keeping budgets, timelines and profitability in sync. You understand the numbers and use them to guide decisions. By protecting scope and staying alert to changes, you help ensure great work is delivered sustainably. Team leadership & mentoring You lead by example, not by hierarchy but by action. You help create the conditions for your team to succeed: by being clear, reliable and inclusive. You share your learnings, bring calm under pressure and model what ‘on it’ looks like. WHAT THIS ROLE LOOKS LIKE IN PRACTICE You will: Build and maintain project budget sheets Manage project finances against approved scopes and budgets Run small tactical projects autonomously, being responsible for brief and phase facts writing Monitor project profitability and identify risks early Coordinate resourcing requirements across disciplines Manage project delivery against agreed timelines Support proposal drafting and scope development Lead day-to-day client communication Challenge scope creep and manage change requests Identify commercial risks and escalate appropriately Spot opportunities for account growth and additional work Support and coach Client Executives where relevant Build strong working relationships EXPERIENCE 3–5 years’ experience in a client service, account management or client partnership role At this level, we are looking for experience in managing brand and packaging projects. LOCATION AND FLEXIBILITY Full-time (40 hours per week), with 3 days per week in the office WHY WORK WITH US? What makes JDO special is how we work together. We value conviction without ego, generosity without fuss and craft that holds up in the detail. You’ll be encouraged to bring your point of view, ask better questions, learn from talented people around you and keep developing your voice. Our promise to you is a career that matters: one where your talent is recognised, your growth is supported and your individuality is celebrated. We want people to do brilliant work, but not by becoming someone they are not. We’re proud to have been named Creativepool’s Best Agency to Work For in both 2024 and 2025. That recognition matters to us because it reflects the kind of place we are building: high standards, real collaboration and a team that shows up for each other. Alongside a competitive salary, we offer benefits that support rest, wellbeing, creativity and life outside work, including Fri-yays, where our studios close on the last Friday of most months, a day off on your birthday, end-of-year studio closure, an Employee Assistance Programme and a workplace nursery scheme to help with the cost of childcare. JDO UK JDO UK is home to two creative hubs: our headquarters in the historic heart of Royal Tunbridge Wells and our central London studio. Each of us is based at one location, but we work as one team; sharing ideas, collaborating acr​​​​oss disciplines and supporting each other to deliver our strongest work. Moving between the two studios gives us fresh perspectives and new energy, while helping ideas cross-pollinate. We’re part of JDO’s international network of designers, brand strategists and client partnership experts, partnering with some of the world’s most loved and influential brands. Our work spans brand and creative strategy, packaging and product design, innovation and sustainability, and experiential and campaign activation. Whatever the brief, we create brand worlds that connect, inspire and stay relevant in an ever-changing landscape. About us Independent. International. Indispensable. JDO is an award-winning design agency, expertly helping brands deliver on their promises by creating experiences people can see, feel, and believe. With boundless creativity and craftsmanship, we craft identities and brand worlds that drive success. Partnering with visionaries and disruptors alike, we turn brand promises into powerful belief. Our promise to every member of our team is a career that matters. One where your talent is recognised, your growth is supported, and your individuality is celebrated. Be part of a team that brings energy, generosity and craft into every room – and shows up for each other, every single day. Together, we design for distinction, push boundaries and stay curious, always seeking a better way. We believe creativity thrives on diversity – of background, identity, experience and thought. We’re committed to building a workplace where everyone feels safe, seen and supported to grow.