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Amy, Sr. Client Solutions Manager at FreeWheel, a Comcast Company: Advize Career Interview

A business economics degree and a family suggestion launched a career journey through consulting at KPMG and JP Morgan, fueling a desire for a less demanding environment.

A move in-house at Barclays, followed by a friend referral, led to a Senior Client Solutions Manager position at FreeWheel, a Comcast Company.

This role involves managing major accounts like NBCU, upselling services, and ensuring revenue targets are met, all while navigating a dynamic day filled with client meetings, live event support, and collaboration.

Success requires strong qualitative skills, multitasking abilities, and effective communication, more so than deep technical expertise.

The position's flexibility and supportive team culture enable a great work-life balance, even while pursuing an MBA. The biggest challenge is managing client expectations, yet the constantly evolving media and tech industry, with exposure to major clients and industry events, makes the role exciting.

The interviewee learned that maintaining perspective amidst high-pressure situations is key, and recommends entry-level roles in ad traffic or operations to gain industry knowledge.

A significant career lesson learned is the importance of embracing new opportunities, and early internships proved crucial for developing professional skills and securing early career success despite facing racism and sexism in the workplace.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Amy Chen

Sr. Client Solutions Manager

FreeWheel, a Comcast Company

University of California, Irvine & 2011

UCLA, Anderson School of Management, MBA

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Marketing

Arts, Entertainment & Media

Sales and Client Management

None Applicable

Watch all of this Advizer's videos below

Career Path of a Senior Client Solutions Manager at FreeWheel

Amy's career journey began with a business economics degree and a family suggestion to enter consulting, leading to roles at KPMG and JP Morgan, where extensive travel and long hours fueled a desire for a change. This led Amy to an in-house position at Barclays before a friend's referral opened the door to their current role at FreeWheel, an ad tech firm, marking a shift away from "the financial services industry" and its demanding culture.

Main Responsibilities of a Senior Client Solutions Manager at FreeWheel, a Comcast Company

Amy's main responsibility as a Senior Client Solutions Manager at FreeWheel is managing accounts, such as NBCU, a top client; this involves maintaining ad platforms, upselling new services, and ensuring "hitting those targeted goals" in terms of impressions and revenue generation.

A Day in the Life of a Senior Client Solutions Manager at FreeWheel, a Comcast Company

A day in the life of Amy, a Senior Client Solutions Manager at FreeWheel, involves many meetings with clients to discuss projects, integrations, and troubleshooting, as well as "live event support like Olympics or NFL or March Madness," showcasing the dynamic and varied nature of her role. The work also includes email management, future planning, and team collaboration to ensure smooth project kickoffs, highlighting the multifaceted responsibilities and exciting unpredictability of the position.

Most Important Skills For A Senior Client Solutions Manager At FreeWheel

Amy, a Senior Client Solutions Manager, emphasizes the importance of strong qualitative skills, such as "being able to work on your toes or put on different hats," to navigate the technical aspects of the job and translate them into business terms for clients. While some technical skills are helpful, like "a little bit of excel knowledge," the ability to multitask and communicate effectively are key for success.

Favorite Parts Of Being A Senior Client Solutions Manager At FreeWheel

Amy, a Senior Client Solutions Manager at FreeWheel, most appreciates the role's "flexibility" and supportive team, which allows for a great "work-life balance," even while pursuing an MBA. This remote work arrangement and trusting company culture are key factors in Amy's positive experience, enabling a successful career while also allowing the flexibility to move across the country.

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Senior Client Solutions Manager At FreeWheel

Amy, a Senior Client Solutions Manager, identifies the biggest challenge as managing client expectations, specifically "dealing with tough clients" and balancing their needs with product solutions and internal team capabilities. This highlights the constant need to navigate diverse personalities and conflicting demands in a client-facing role.

Favorite Parts of Working in Digital Advertising as a Senior Client Solutions Manager

Amy, a Senior Client Solutions Manager at FreeWheel, enjoys the "always transforming" nature of the media and tech industry, working with major clients like HBO Max and Disney and witnessing the "magic" behind the scenes of ad delivery across various platforms. Exposure to industry events and "big folks" further enhances Amy's experience.

What a Senior Client Solutions Manager at FreeWheel Wishes They Knew About Advertising

Amy, a Senior Client Solutions Manager at FreeWheel, learned that the high-pressure nature of the role, involving situations like "a P1 which is like a huge issue," is often mitigated by the perspective that "you're just selling ads," reminding them of the overall context of their work. This simple truth helps maintain perspective during stressful moments.

Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Ad Operations Professionals

Amy, a Senior Client Solutions Manager at FreeWheel, suggests entry-level roles in media companies such as "ad traffic or an Ops person" to gain industry knowledge, highlighting the value of internships. A "strategy and data mindset" is also beneficial for those seeking more technical or analytical roles within the field, according to Amy's experience.

Significant Career Lesson from a Senior Client Solutions Manager at FreeWheel

Amy's significant career lesson is that "it's never too late to start something new," highlighting the value of exploring diverse experiences and not being confined by initial educational choices or career paths. This approach, encompassing various internships and roles, ultimately led to a better work-life balance and a more fulfilling career.

College Experiences That Helped A Senior Client Solutions Manager At FreeWheel Succeed

Amy's early success stemmed from securing internships early in their junior year at UCI, gaining valuable experience in "business casual work," and developing essential professional skills like email etiquette and meeting management. This early preparation, including "getting your resume cleaned up," provided a strong foundation for their career, ultimately contributing to success in roles like Senior Client Solutions Manager at FreeWheel.

How Identity Shaped a Senior Client Solutions Manager's Career at KPMG

Amy's experience as an Asian-American woman navigating a male-dominated workplace at KPMG involved overcoming "racism and sexism," but by "standing [her] ground" and building a strong reputation, the professional earned respect, ultimately leading to promotion. This experience fostered growth and strengthened their voice, demonstrating resilience and career advancement despite initial challenges.

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