Vice President of Client Services

“Vice President of Client Services”

(Waltham MA)

Company Overview

Affinnova is the global leader in optimization technology for marketing and innovation. The company pioneered the game-changing use of evolutionary algorithms for marketing content optimization. Our patented IDDEA® technology evolves concepts (products, communications, or designs) based on collective consumer choice until only the fittest concepts survive. IDDEA delivers “Top Concepts” every time, consistently outperforming any alternative approach. IDDEA empowers marketers to explore all possible alternatives to their ideas, resulting in higher success rates, larger businesses, accelerated speed to market, and lower costs.

Affinnova is one of the fastest growing marketing services companies in the US with revenue increases of 50%+ for three straight years (including the 1st Half of 2009). Growth is being fueled by adoption in the Consumer Packaged Goods Industry, penetration into international markets, expansion into new industries, and the introduction of SaaS solutions. Our client base includes 19 of the world’s top 20 CPG companies along with such technology firms as Microsoft and Intuit. Affinnova was awarded “2008 Supplier of the Year” by Walmart and “2009 Marketing Technology Winner” by MITX.

Corporate Culture

Our philosophy at Affinnova is simple: you cannot revolutionize the way global companies innovate with anything less than an all-star team. We believe in smart, driven people who are experts in their field, have a proven record of success, and have great potential to grow. We believe that collaboration supercharges the performance of people resulting in a dynamic workplace, the best outcomes for our clients, and continuous improvement in what we do.

Position Description

The Vice President of Client Services is responsible for leading the strategic thinking and application of IDDEA solutions and associated offerings to help clients effectively develop new products, revitalize existing brands, design packaging, and create marketing campaigns. This individual works closely with the SVP of Client Services and the Client Management team (sales). The VP of Client Services manages a team of research directors, managers and support staff through the design, execution, and analysis process. The VP Client Services is responsible for leading an Affinnova Client Service team. These responsibilities include hiring, managing, and development of team members. Specific responsibilities include:

• Account and Team Development
  
  
  
  • Educate clients on Affinnova’s complete range of innovation and marketing solutions
  
  
  • Develop long-term business relationships based on strategic and tactical expertise
  
  
  • Establish trust based on demonstrated commitment to quality and service
  
  
  • Build repeat business
  
  
  • Mentor and develop personnel for future career growth
  
  
  
  

• Scoping and Implementation
  
  
  
  • Consult with clients on brand-level marketing and innovation initiatives that Affinnova can expertly address
  
  
  • Develop and author proposals that provide solutions that best meet client objectives
  
  
  • Manage client services team to ensure project requirements are successfully executed
  
  
  • Lead result presentations that deliver insightful, strategic, and actionable answers for clients
  
  
  
  


• Project Management
  
  
  
  • Identify key business issues, recognize strategic implications, and propose solutions
  
  
  • Manage multiple national and international projects from initial scoping to results presentation
  
  
  • Lead client services team to ensure that client needs are met and projects are successfully executed
  
  
  • Interpret and translate results into confident, insightful, actionable recommendations that meet client business objectives and strategies
  
  
  
  

Reporting Relations

The VP of CS reports to Lea Ben-Akiva, SVP of CS. Lea reports to CEO.

Requirements

• Experience:
  
  
  
  • 10+ years of supplier side market research experience with a concentration in quantitative research methodologies, e.g., discrete choice and conjoint
  
  
  • Clear career progression that includes leading and growing a team
  
  
  • Proven track record of quantifiable accomplishments
  
  
  • Experience working on international projects preferred
  
  
  
  

• Skills:
  
  
  
  • Strong leadership – people, project, and thought
  
  
  • Persuasive verbal and written communication
  
  
  • Relationship selling
  
  
  • Ability to identify business issues, recognize strategic implications, and propose solutions
  
  
  • Strategic and analytical problem-solving
  
  
  • Ability to effectively manage multiple clients, projects, and teams
  
  
  
  

• Characteristics
  
  
  
  • Leadership, results-driven
  
  
  • Entrepreneurial – self-motivated, persistent, and resourceful
  
  
  • High integrity
  
  
  • Expert
  
  
  • Open, honest, and genuine
  
  
  • Optimistic, passionate, and committed
  
  
  • Confident and persuasive
  
  
  • Collaborative, inclusive
  
  
  • Intelligent - strategic, analytical, creative, and innovative
  
  
  
  

• Education:
  
  
  
  • Undergraduate degree from reputable school
  
  
  • High academic achievement (GPA - 3.5+)
  
  
  
  

• Other Skills:
  
  
  
  • Survey writing
  
  
  • Excel, Word, and Power Point
  
  
  • SPSS/data processing packages a plus
  
  
  
  

• Other:
  
  
  
  • Average travel of 25%