Managing Director - Media

Salt; Dubai; On-site; AED 900,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Salt in Dubai invites a commercially driven Managing Director to lead a global media agency, guiding strategy, operations, and growth. The role requires hands-on leadership across integrated media planning and buying, with a focus on developing new revenue streams and strengthening client relationships across the UAE and wider region. You will mentor teams and ensure delivery of innovative media strategies across digital and traditional channels.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in a media or advertising agency.
• Proven track record in growing business and leading client relationships.
• Strong understanding of UAE/MENA media landscape.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Lead overall strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the agency.
• Drive growth, profitability and client objectives.
• Oversee performance and market positioning.
• Develop revenue streams and strategic partnerships.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Business development

Client management

Media planning

Team leadership

Tools

CRM systems

Forecasting tools

Job description

Managing Director – Media Agency

Location: Dubai, UAE

Industry: Media Planning & Buying / Advertising

Employment Type: Full-Time

About the Opportunity

We are partnering with an global media agency in Dubai that is looking to appoint an experienced Managing Director to lead its operations, drive commercial growth and shape the agency's long-term strategic direction.

This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially driven agency leader who can combine strong media expertise with business development, operational leadership and a passion for building high-performing teams.

Key Responsibilities

Agency Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the overall strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the agency.
• Develop and execute business strategies to drive sustainable growth and profitability.
• Oversee agency performance, ensuring commercial, operational and client objectives are achieved.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen the agency's market positioning and service offering.

Business Development & Commercial Growth

• Drive new business opportunities, pitches and strategic partnerships.
• Leverage an established network of senior client relationships across the UAE and wider region.
• Identify new revenue streams and opportunities to expand existing client accounts.
• Take ownership of revenue growth, profitability and overall commercial performance.

Client Leadership & Media Expertise

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key clients and senior stakeholders.
• Provide strategic oversight across integrated media planning and buying, including digital and offline channels.
• Ensure the delivery of innovative, commercially effective media strategies.
• Stay ahead of industry trends, emerging platforms and developments across the media landscape.

People Management & Operations

• Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing agency team.
• Oversee internal processes, resource planning and operational efficiencies.
• Foster a collaborative, entrepreneurial and results-driven agency culture.
• Work closely with senior stakeholders to ensure alignment between business objectives and agency delivery.

Requirements

• Extensive experience within a media planning and buying agency, ideally at General Manager, Managing Director, Business Director or equivalent leadership level.
• Strong understanding of the UAE and wider MENA media and advertising landscape.
• Proven track record of driving agency growth, winning new business and managing senior client relationships.
• Strong commercial acumen, including experience managing budgets, revenue targets and profitability.
• Solid understanding of integrated media strategy, planning and buying across digital and traditional channels.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and overseeing agency operations.
• An established network of senior industry contacts and the ability to identify commercial opportunities.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a hands-on, solutions-focused leadership style.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.