8 Jobs Available in Chicago, IL at Sodexo

Role Overview

Sodexo Campus is currently looking to hire two Vice President, Strategic Account Management. These roles are responsible for shaping and executing the strategic direction of client retention and account health efforts across a portfolio of high-value accounts. This role sets the vision, builds the infrastructure, and leads the team accountable for protecting revenue, driving renewals, and positioning the organization as a mission-critical partner. 

By fostering a culture of client-centricity, data-informed decision-making, and proactive engagement, the VP plays a critical role in competitive rebids, preemptive renewal strategies, and cross-functional alignment. This position requires a seasoned leader with a track record of managing strategic accounts, navigating complex stakeholder landscapes, and delivering sustainable growth in competitive environments.

One position will be responsible for supporting the Eastern region, while the other will oversee the Western region.

Travel 50-60%

Incentives

What You'll Do

Strategic Leadership & Portfolio Oversight

• Set the strategic vision for client retention and competitive rebids across all targeted accounts.
• Develop and oversee the execution of enterprise-level retention frameworks and governance models.
• Lead the competitive retention planning process, ensuring consistent account mapping, stakeholder engagement, and milestone tracking.
• Oversee a team of Account Managers and retention specialists, ensuring role clarity, accountability, and continuous development.

Executive Client Engagement & Relationship Management

• Serve as an executive sponsor for top-tier clients, supporting relationship development, escalation management, and strategic planning.
• Guide internal and external engagement strategies to influence key decision-makers and secure long-term partnerships.
• Partner with senior operations and finance leaders to ensure delivery excellence, continuous improvement, and client satisfaction.

Operational Alignment & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Champion cross-functional coordination between Operations, Finance, Marketing, OPEX, and the Proposal Development Center (PDC) to drive innovation and operational improvements.
• Sponsor and guide the development of differentiated retention proposals and strategic messaging frameworks.
• Support organizational readiness for rebids through proposal team leadership (e.g., pink/red/gold reviews) and alignment of field teams to client strategy.

Performance Management & Risk Mitigation

• Implement retention KPIs and reporting mechanisms to monitor account health and team performance.
• Leverage CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce) and performance dashboards to drive accountability and transparency.
• Proactively identify risk indicators (e.g., client dissatisfaction, talent turnover) and deploy mitigation strategies.

Market Intelligence & Growth Enablement

• Monitor market trends, emerging client needs, and competitor actions to inform proactive account strategies.
• Oversee development of insights, playbooks, and best practices that scale retention success across the organization.
• Support adjacent growth through cross-sell and upsell strategy development in collaboration with sales and operations.

What We Offer

Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
• 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

What You Bring

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in client retention, strategic account management, or customer success.
• Proven track record leading competitive rebids and retention strategies in complex, B2B service environments.
• Exceptional leadership, executive communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Deep understanding of CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), proposal processes, and client lifecycle management.

Preferred Experience:

Experience in higher education, institutional services, or other regulated B2B sectors.Familiarity with public procurement, institutional renewal cycles, and enterprise-level contract negotiations.Adept at leveraging data and storytelling to drive client decisions and internal alignment.

Who We Are

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.

Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.

Qualifications & Requirements

Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experienceMinimum Management Experience – 10 yearsMinimum Functional Experience – 7 years