Group Director, Client Partner - AI
DEPT®, San Jose, CA, United States
WHY DEPT®?
We are a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, we create what is next by pioneering ideas, acting fast, and moving further because standing still just is not in our DNA.
THE ROLE We are looking for a Group Director, Client Partner to serve as the strategic US Anchor for one of our most critical enterprise accounts, with the opportunity to expand to other clients. You will lead the client relationship for an important AI Acceleration program, serving as the primary bridge between eBay’s West Coast leadership and our expert engineering & consultancy teams in EMEA. This is not a technical delivery role; it is a strategic leadership role. We don’t need you to code the AI; we need you to navigate the organization, build trust with VPs, and translate complex technical outputs into business value. You will ensure that our rapid engineering delivery lands effectively with stakeholders, unblocks political hurdles, and turns a pilot program into a long-term partnership.
WHAT YOU’LL DO Client Partnership & Strategic Navigation
Build and maintain deep relationships with key stakeholders (Marketing, MarTech, Core AI) in the US Pacific Time Zone and be the face of the program, ensuring DEPT® is viewed as a strategic transformation partner, not just an execution vendor.
Actively identify and navigate emerging blockers or political sensitivities within the client organization (e.g., aligning marketing goals with IT/InfoSec constraints) to protect delivery timelines.
Translate complex technical concepts from our EMEA engineering teams into clear, commercial language for client leadership and convert vague marketing desires into actionable direction for our delivery teams.
The Global Bridge (Operational Leadership)
Act as the connective tissue between the US and EMEA, capturing feedback and decisions during the US workday and translating them into clear briefs for the EMEA team before their day starts.
Make calculated calls to keep the project moving while the delivery team is offline, protecting the team from chaotic scope creep while ensuring client responsiveness.
Take ownership of US centric operational hurdles (e.g., securing IT access, chasing legal approvals, budget codes) that often stall remote engineering teams.
Work closely with wider teams across other service lines to share progress and identify new opportunities to deliver Data/AI programmes and applications, solving challenges and building growth opportunities outside of the main AI acceleration work streams.
Commercial Growth & Program Steering
Ensure the AI accelerators and tools we build are adopted by the client teams, gathering live feedback and tracking efficiency metrics to prove value against the client’s business objectives.
Partner with the Growth Director to prepare the groundwork for future opportunity growth by identifying adjacent opportunities within eBay where our data/AI solutions can solve problems, helping to secure the long‑term roadmap.
WHAT YOU BRING
12+ years of experience in Client Services or Account Management within a digital agency or consultancy environment, managing large, complex enterprise accounts.
Tech fluency (not tech heavy). Comfortable speaking the language of engineers and translating it for marketers, with experience managing technical or platform build projects (e.g., MarTech, Web Builds, Digital Transformation).
High EQ and political savvy; able to read the room, manage conflicting stakeholder demands, and push back constructively to protect the work and the team.
Organized and calm under pressure, managing your own workload autonomously while acting as a stabilizing force between two time zones.
Proactive problem solver who galvanizes internal teams and client stakeholders to resolve challenges swiftly without waiting for permission.
WHAT DO WE OFFER
Healthcare, Dental, and Vision coverage
401k plan, plus matching
PTO
Paid Company Holidays
Parental Leave
WE SUPPORT YOU BEING YOU DEPT® is an equal‑opportunity employer (EOE). We believe our work is its best when our people feel safe and free to be themselves. We’re committed to an inclusive and barrier‑free recruitment and selection process and workplace, regardless of anyone’s identity, background, beliefs, lifestyle or disabilities. Tell us about any accommodations you need—it’s confidential and only used to ensure you feel fully supported at every step.
DEPT® participates in E‑Verify, meaning your Form I‑9 information will be sent to the federal government to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.
We are a B Corp‑certified company passionate about purpose‑driven work. We hope you can feel good about the contributions DEPT® is making to the world and we always have an open door for your ideas to make the world a better place.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives. If you don’t meet every qualification, apply—we believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine. We also encourage you to reach out for reasonable adjustments to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.
US Remote Range The anticipated salary range for this position is listed below. Salary is based on a range of factors that include relevant experience, expertise, physical location, and organizational impact. This is based on a 40‑hour workweek and leveling. Keep in mind, we’re flexible. US Remote Range $150,000—$200,000 USD
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THE ROLE We are looking for a Group Director, Client Partner to serve as the strategic US Anchor for one of our most critical enterprise accounts, with the opportunity to expand to other clients. You will lead the client relationship for an important AI Acceleration program, serving as the primary bridge between eBay’s West Coast leadership and our expert engineering & consultancy teams in EMEA. This is not a technical delivery role; it is a strategic leadership role. We don’t need you to code the AI; we need you to navigate the organization, build trust with VPs, and translate complex technical outputs into business value. You will ensure that our rapid engineering delivery lands effectively with stakeholders, unblocks political hurdles, and turns a pilot program into a long-term partnership.
WHAT YOU’LL DO Client Partnership & Strategic Navigation
Build and maintain deep relationships with key stakeholders (Marketing, MarTech, Core AI) in the US Pacific Time Zone and be the face of the program, ensuring DEPT® is viewed as a strategic transformation partner, not just an execution vendor.
Actively identify and navigate emerging blockers or political sensitivities within the client organization (e.g., aligning marketing goals with IT/InfoSec constraints) to protect delivery timelines.
Translate complex technical concepts from our EMEA engineering teams into clear, commercial language for client leadership and convert vague marketing desires into actionable direction for our delivery teams.
The Global Bridge (Operational Leadership)
Act as the connective tissue between the US and EMEA, capturing feedback and decisions during the US workday and translating them into clear briefs for the EMEA team before their day starts.
Make calculated calls to keep the project moving while the delivery team is offline, protecting the team from chaotic scope creep while ensuring client responsiveness.
Take ownership of US centric operational hurdles (e.g., securing IT access, chasing legal approvals, budget codes) that often stall remote engineering teams.
Work closely with wider teams across other service lines to share progress and identify new opportunities to deliver Data/AI programmes and applications, solving challenges and building growth opportunities outside of the main AI acceleration work streams.
Commercial Growth & Program Steering
Ensure the AI accelerators and tools we build are adopted by the client teams, gathering live feedback and tracking efficiency metrics to prove value against the client’s business objectives.
Partner with the Growth Director to prepare the groundwork for future opportunity growth by identifying adjacent opportunities within eBay where our data/AI solutions can solve problems, helping to secure the long‑term roadmap.
WHAT YOU BRING
12+ years of experience in Client Services or Account Management within a digital agency or consultancy environment, managing large, complex enterprise accounts.
Tech fluency (not tech heavy). Comfortable speaking the language of engineers and translating it for marketers, with experience managing technical or platform build projects (e.g., MarTech, Web Builds, Digital Transformation).
High EQ and political savvy; able to read the room, manage conflicting stakeholder demands, and push back constructively to protect the work and the team.
Organized and calm under pressure, managing your own workload autonomously while acting as a stabilizing force between two time zones.
Proactive problem solver who galvanizes internal teams and client stakeholders to resolve challenges swiftly without waiting for permission.
WHAT DO WE OFFER
Healthcare, Dental, and Vision coverage
401k plan, plus matching
PTO
Paid Company Holidays
Parental Leave
WE SUPPORT YOU BEING YOU DEPT® is an equal‑opportunity employer (EOE). We believe our work is its best when our people feel safe and free to be themselves. We’re committed to an inclusive and barrier‑free recruitment and selection process and workplace, regardless of anyone’s identity, background, beliefs, lifestyle or disabilities. Tell us about any accommodations you need—it’s confidential and only used to ensure you feel fully supported at every step.
DEPT® participates in E‑Verify, meaning your Form I‑9 information will be sent to the federal government to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.
We are a B Corp‑certified company passionate about purpose‑driven work. We hope you can feel good about the contributions DEPT® is making to the world and we always have an open door for your ideas to make the world a better place.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives. If you don’t meet every qualification, apply—we believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine. We also encourage you to reach out for reasonable adjustments to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.
US Remote Range The anticipated salary range for this position is listed below. Salary is based on a range of factors that include relevant experience, expertise, physical location, and organizational impact. This is based on a 40‑hour workweek and leveling. Keep in mind, we’re flexible. US Remote Range $150,000—$200,000 USD
#J-18808-Ljbffr