Managing Director

Overview

Aquent Studios is seeking a bold, strategic Managing Director to lead business growth and creative operations for a marquee high-tech client in the Puget Sound area. This role is both visionary and hands-on—ideal for a senior leader who thrives at the intersection of client partnership, operational excellence, and creative innovation.

As Managing Director, you’ll own senior client relationships, guide multidisciplinary teams, drive financial performance, and shape the future of creative delivery across live, digital, and content-driven experiences. You’ll play a critical role in scaling operations while maintaining a premium, best-in-class client experience.

Note: While this role is REMOTE, candidates must currently reside on the U.S. West Coast to be considered.

What You’ll Do

Operational & Client Leadership

• Lead day-to-day client engagement, overseeing teams, operations, and senior stakeholder relationships
• Deliver large-scale, complex programs on time and on budget, managing scope, risk, schedule, quality, and communication
• Anticipate resource needs and align talent, skills, and capacity to support growth and profitability
• Evolve creative processes through thoughtful integration of tools and emerging technologies
• Apply deep understanding of live and digital events, marketing, and content—bringing practical, hands-on experience to delivery

Business Development & Growth

• Own and grow the new business pipeline, evaluating opportunity viability, pricing, margins, and risk
• Expand and strengthen long-term client partnerships
• Lead strategic planning efforts that drive revenue, improve operational efficiency, and increase client satisfaction
• Develop a premium client experience that positions Aquent Studios as a trusted, innovative partner

Financial Ownership

• Drive both top-line revenue and bottom-line profitability
• Own program scoping, schedules, and cost estimation
• Manage P&L, revenue forecasting, and financial reporting
• Ensure strong project-level financial controls, margin management, and cost analysis

Team Leadership & Development

• Inspire and lead cross-functional teams with clear vision and consistent, meaningful feedback
• Build and evolve teams in alignment with projected growth and future opportunities

Creative & Quality Excellence

• Foster a culture of creative, design, and development excellence
• Set and uphold high standards across deliverables, proposals, and value-based pricing models

Strategy, Innovation & Thought Leadership

• Actively contribute to Aquent Studios leadership and long-term vision
• Identify emerging industry trends and pioneer new approaches
• Lead with an entrepreneurial mindset—turning vision into execution
• Produce high-quality written thought leadership, including proposals and long-form content

Communication, Risk & Compliance

• Communicate clearly and transparently with stakeholders at all levels
• Confidently navigate conflict resolution and project escalations
• Manage contracts, SOWs, NDAs, and terms and conditions
• Ensure strict adherence to security, confidentiality, and compliance requirements

What You Bring

• 10+ years of senior leadership experience in business operations, ideally within a creative, consulting, or agency environment
• Proven success managing complex, cross-functional programs
• Experience scaling teams or business units during periods of growth
• Strong executive communication, negotiation, and presentation skills
• Demonstrated ability to lead, inspire, and retain diverse, high-performing teams
• Proven experience cultivating senior-level client relationships
• Strong understanding of creative development processes and emerging technologies
• Passion for building operational efficiencies through innovation
• Hands-on experience in events, design, content, or marketing delivery
• Experience in experiential design or digital transformation is a plus

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