Client Relationship Manager - Manufacturing at Cognizant in Chicago, Illinois

Job Description:

The Opportunity:

We are seeking a Client Relationship Manager to be actively involved in continuing to grow our Manufacturing Business Unit's footprint and assist the Client Partner in growing key accounts. In this role, the Client Relationship Manager will balance client/project responsibilities with business development and sales responsibilities including identifying, qualifying and closing new business opportunities. The position also requires working with and leveraging a top-notch client management and consulting team. The individual will be responsible for overseeing high quality delivery while developing strategies and tactics for further penetrating the account in addition to cross selling Cognizant’s emerging services. The Client Relationship Manager will support the Client Partner in achieving “trusted advisor” status and have a mix of strategic and tactical management experience.

Responsibilities: 

• 
  Market Leadership: creates sales strategies and plan for the Client Partners’ review and for its incorporation into the broader client strategy and plan


• 
  Relationship Management: executes and manages the account plan under the guidance of the Client Partner
  
  
  
  • Invests time in strengthening existing client relationships. Participates in reviews and provides educated and relevant perspectives.
  
  
  • Client Relationship Management; engage with CXO, VP and Director level clients
  
  
  
  


• 
  Business Development: responds to and deliver on client requests; responds to RFP’s.
  
  
  
  • Identifies opportunities, makes proactive proposals to client in line with account strategy.
  
  
  • Obtains the approvals to pursue opportunities.
  
  
  • Engage the relevant internal Cognizant teams and service lines team for developing solutions.
  
  
  • End to end account management including account forecasting, budgeting, operations and overall P&L
  
  
  
  


• Handle risks and issues related to the account, including delivery oversight


• Create and present account QBR presentations and executive status reports 

Qualifications: 

12-15 years + experience in a senior-level consulting client-facing role or account manager leadership role within Manufacturing industry

Recent experience working for IT professional services or management consulting firm(s)

Recent experience managing global service delivery model(s)

Bachelor's degree required OR equivalent combination of education, training, and experience

Ability to build client relationships; strengthening partnerships by focusing on exceptional client experience, risk management and value realization built on the foundation of Cognizant leadership capabilities

Experience in developing opportunity pipelines, qualifying high priority deals, and winning new business in line with agreed targets

Experience in closing deals with a specific emphasis on growing sales. Specifically, win new deals in customer account per pre-agreed targets.

Ability to grow into having a senior executive presence – possesses an interest and passion toward engaging senior level executives in grasping and enabling fundamentals of business change through consulting solutions

Excellent problem solving, business communication (written & oral), and client management skills are essential

Demonstrated strong leadership skills, particularly with highly diverse teams

Proven leadership qualities such as conflict/issue resolution, strategic and critical thinking and ownership

Ability to work collaboratively in a virtual and highly-matrixed environment

Preferred Qualifications:

MBA degree preferred

Advanced knowledge of Six Sigma

Understanding and thought leadership in technology, services and business trends that have direct and indirect impacts on the outcomes of the customer and our organization

Additional Qualifications:

Work Authorization:

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future

12-15 years + experience in a senior-level consulting client-facing role or account manager leadership role within Manufacturing industry

Recent experience working for IT professional services or management consulting firm(s)

Recent experience managing global service delivery model(s)

Bachelor's degree required OR equivalent combination of education, training, and experience

Ability to build client relationships; strengthening partnerships by focusing on exceptional client experience, risk management and value realization built on the foundation of Cognizant leadership capabilities

Experience in developing opportunity pipelines, qualifying high priority deals, and winning new business in line with agreed targets

Experience in closing deals with a specific emphasis on growing sales. Specifically, win new deals in customer account per pre-agreed targets.

Ability to grow into having a senior executive presence – possesses an interest and passion toward engaging senior level executives in grasping and enabling fundamentals of business change through consulting solutions

Excellent problem solving, business communication (written & oral), and client management skills are essential

Demonstrated strong leadership skills, particularly with highly diverse teams

Proven leadership qualities such as conflict/issue resolution, strategic and critical thinking and ownership

Ability to work collaboratively in a virtual and highly-matrixed environment

Preferred Qualifications:

MBA degree preferred

Advanced knowledge of Six Sigma

Understanding and thought leadership in technology, services and business trends that have direct and indirect impacts on the outcomes of the customer and our organization

Additional Qualifications:

Work Authorization:

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future