Client Partner - Food & Beverage, QSR & Auto

Accountabilities: Own and grow a portfolio of 10–20 enterprise accounts across food and beverage, quick-service restaurants, and automotive, balancing existing partnerships with targeted new business opportunities. Drive account retention, renewals, upselling, and cross-selling to increase customer value and achieve sustainable year-over-year revenue growth. Identify and pursue opportunities within existing and prospective accounts, including new business units, stakeholder groups, and use cases for AI-powered research solutions. Support client initiatives such as concept and menu testing, flavor and product innovation, limited-time-offer evaluation, brand tracking, pricing research, vehicle feature prioritization, and path-to-purchase analysis. Act as a strategic advisor to senior Consumer and Shopper Insights, Innovation, Menu Strategy, Brand, Customer Experience, and Product Planning leaders, helping them apply research insights to critical business decisions. Develop and execute strategic account plans that identify growth opportunities, map stakeholders, prioritize client objectives, and expand commercial relationships. Lead complex commercial negotiations for renewals, upsells, and cross-sells in collaboration with sales leadership. Partner closely with Customer Success, Research, and Product teams to maximize client outcomes, support adoption, and introduce customers to new platform capabilities. Represent the organization at industry conferences, client summits, and customer meetings to strengthen relationships, increase market visibility, and identify new opportunities. Maintain accurate sales pipelines, reliable forecasts, and thorough account documentation throughout the renewal and expansion process. Deliver against key performance indicators, including new enterprise revenue, net revenue retention (NRR), renewal rates, and sales execution quality. Requirements At least seven years of experience in enterprise account management, client partnerships, or strategic sales within the market research and insights industry. Direct experience selling to and expanding relationships with food and beverage manufacturers, QSR or restaurant brands, and/or automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Understanding of how consumer insights, research, innovation, brand, and marketing teams operate within the target industries. Demonstrated experience managing strategic relationships with Fortune 500 clients, particularly senior insights professionals, including chief-level, vice president, and director-level stakeholders. Proven ability to sell contracts valued at $100,000 or more and manage enterprise relationships worth $1 million or more. Experience navigating complex enterprise organizations with multiple business units, stakeholder groups, and buying centers. A consistent record of achieving or exceeding revenue growth, renewal, and net revenue retention targets. Experience leading commercial negotiations involving six- and seven-figure contracts. A consultative, discovery-led sales approach, supported by strong listening, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills. Excellent organizational skills and disciplined account planning, pipeline management, forecasting, and sales execution. Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, including the ability to coordinate effectively with Customer Success, Research, Product, and sales leadership. A proactive, adaptable mindset and comfort operating in a high-growth environment where processes and sales strategies continue to evolve. Preferred qualifications: Experience navigating franchise structures, including relationships between corporate teams and franchisees, or managing multi-brand food portfolios. Familiarity with automotive product planning cycles, dealer and OEM dynamics, electric vehicles, or mobility research. Background in SaaS, AI, or technology-enabled services that support strategic business decisions. Experience managing global or multi-market enterprise accounts. Previous success in startup or high-growth environments where teams are building and refining processes as they scale. Benefits Base salary range: $120,000–$160,000, with compensation structured as 50% base salary and 50% variable pay. Commission or performance-based variable compensation. Equity options. Medical, dental, and vision insurance. Additional insurance coverage. Company-provided laptop. One-time technology stipend for onboarding. 401(k) retirement plan with company matching. Flexible paid time off. Remote-first work environment, with office spaces available in designated hubs. Opportunities to attend client meetings, industry conferences, and in-person company-wide events held twice a year. Opportunity to contribute to a growing AI-powered research business and work with enterprise customers across multiple industries.