Account Director

Herd MSL; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Industry learning & development

Career Manager

Publicis Liberté flexibility

Marcel AI platform access

Marcel Classes

Birthday Leave & Flexible Public Holid

Work Your World travel flexibility

Parental leave benefits

Wellbeing support (Sonder)

Wholeself wellbeing program

Job summary

Herd MSL, part of Publicis Groupe ANZ, is seeking an Account Director to lead integrated communications for recognisable consumer brands in Australia. This senior, hands-on role spans earned media, influencer strategy and brand storytelling, acting as a trusted adviser to clients and translating objectives into compelling campaigns.

You will own client relationships, shape strategies, and guide teams to deliver high-impact activations across media, creators and social-first initiatives.

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering at Account Director level within PR or communications.
• Strong background in consumer communications, earned media and brand‑led campaigns.
• Strong influencer experience, including talent management, briefing, content alignment and performance evaluation.
• Confidence providing senior stakeholder counsel.
• Deep knowledge of the Australian media landscape, particularly lifestyle, entertainment, consumer and national outlets.
• Confidence using AI tools to support strategy, insights, content development, media planning and workflow efficiency, with an understanding of quality control, ethics and best practice.
• Strong commercial and financial management skills.
• A calm, solutions‑focused approach under pressure.
• A curious, proactive mindset and comfort working with ambiguity.
• A collaborative approach and ability to bring others along.

Responsibilities

• Act as the senior strategic lead across key consumer accounts, owning client relationships and outcomes.
• Provide confident, proactive counsel to senior marketing and communications stakeholders.
• Lead campaigns from idea through to execution and ensure timely delivery.
• Oversee media relations across lifestyle, entertainment, consumer, news and trade outlets.
• Develop messaging and positioning that resonates with consumer audiences.
• Lead influencer strategy and execution, including talent management and measurement.
• Coach and develop account teams and contribute to new business and thought leadership.

Skills

Account leadership

Consumer communications

Earned media

Influencer marketing

Senior stakeholder counsel

Australian media landscape

AI tools for strategy

Commercial & financial acumen

Calm under pressure

Collaborative leadership

Tools

AI tools for strategy

Job description

Herd MSL represents one of Australia’s largest and most awarded group of agencies. Part of Publicis Groupe ANZ and global PR network MSL, Herd MSL has more than 21 years in the market and has achieved multiple agency and campaign wins and Cannes Awards for creativity – including PRIA’s 2022 Agency Team of the Year.

We work with an impressive portfolio of clients ranging from established multinational technology companies and leading consumer and corporate brands to innovative industry leaders and state and federal government departments.

At Herd MSL, we encourage our people to work in a way that provides balance, and we pride ourselves in fostering a behaviour-led approach to flexibility. We are fun and fast-paced and thrive in a learning-based culture.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We’re looking for an Account Director to join the Herd team, leading integrated communications programs for some of Australia’s most recognisable consumer brands.

This is a senior, hands‑on role for someone who thrives across earned media, influencer strategy, brand storytelling and cultural relevance. You’ll act as a trusted adviser to clients, shaping strategies that drive awareness, talkability and brand affinity, and bringing them to life through media, creators and social‑first thinking.

CLIENT LEADERSHIP & COUNSEL

• Act as the senior strategic lead across key consumer accounts, owning client relationships, outcomes and quality of work.
• Provide confident, proactive counsel to senior marketing and communications stakeholders.
• Lead clients through key moments including brand launches, seasonal campaigns, issues and reactive opportunities.
• Translate brand objectives into clear, compelling communications ideas that resonate with consumer audiences.

STRATEGY & DELIVERY

• Shape earned‑led consumer communications strategies designed to cut through culture.
• Lead the development of media, influencer and integrated campaigns from idea through to execution.
• Oversee media relations across lifestyle, entertainment, consumer, news and trade media.
• Develop messaging, narratives and positioning that bring brands to life in an authentic and consumer‑relevant way.
• Ensure campaigns are delivered on time, on budget and to Herd MSL’s quality standards.

INFLUENCER & SOCIAL

• Lead influencer strategy and execution, including talent selection, briefing, content alignment, amplification and measurement.
• Ensure influencer activity is strategically integrated with earned media and wider campaigns.
• Help shape and deliver social‑first ideas, platform‑native content and creator‑led storytelling.

TEAM & AGENCY LEADERSHIP

• Lead, coach and develop account teams, building confidence, capability and accountability.
• Mentor team members and support their career development.
• Contribute to new business, credentials and agency thought leadership where appropriate.

WHAT THE ROLE OFFERS

• Industry‑leading learning and development opportunities and a dedicated Career Manager.
• Great career growth and progression within a strengths‑based environment.
• Freedom to own your work and relationships while bringing creativity to your everyday.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

First and foremost, we want someone who lives our values: Show Up Fearless, Stay Curious, Be Kind and Go Home Proud. Team culture is everything to us.

We’re looking for someone bright, curious and not afraid to take on a new challenge. Someone who thinks freely, is passionate about the industry and brands we work with, and is excited by the opportunity to grow and learn within a supportive team.

In terms of experience, you’ll ideally have:

• Proven experience delivering at Account Director level within PR or communications.
• A strong background in consumer communications, earned media and brand‑led campaigns.
• Strong influencer experience, including talent management, briefing, content alignment and performance evaluation.
• Confidence providing senior stakeholder counsel.
• Deep knowledge of the Australian media landscape, particularly lifestyle, entertainment, consumer and national outlets.
• Confidence using AI tools to support strategy, insights, content development, media planning and workflow efficiency, with an understanding of quality control, ethics and best practice.
• Strong commercial and financial management skills.
• A calm, solutions‑focused approach under pressure.
• A curious, proactive mindset and comfort working with ambiguity.
• A collaborative approach and ability to bring others along.

What’s in it for you?

As part of Publicis Groupe, you’ll have access to:

• Industry learning and development opportunities and a dedicated Career Manager.
• Clear career growth and progression opportunities.
• Publicis Liberté flexibility and the freedom to work your way.
• Access to Marcel, our global AI and collaboration platform.
• 15,000+ learning programs via Marcel Classes.
• Birthday Leave and Flexible Public Holidays.
• An additional 5 days of leave after 2 years of service.
• Work Your World, allowing you to work from anywhere in the world for up to 6 weeks per year.
• Parental leave benefits.
• Wellbeing support through Sonder.
• Our Wholeself program supporting physical, mindful and financial wellbeing.

Learn more about Publicis Groupe ANZ at Publicis Groupe ANZ.

Don’t tick every box?

Please don’t rule yourself out. We’re focused on finding people who share our values of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, fearlessness and integrity, not simply ticking every box.

We’re committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can bring their whole self to work. If you require adjustments or additional support throughout the application process, please contact [e-mail].