Group Business Director

Initiative; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Two WFH days per week

Surry Hills office

Job summary

Initiative Sydney is seeking a Group Business Director to lead a flagship financial services client with big ambitions. You will be 100% dedicated to this account, reporting to the Managing Partner, and overseeing a team of around a dozen high-performing professionals.

This Sydney role is hybrid, combining three days in the light-filled Surry Hills office with two days at home. You will drive strategy across offline/ATL, digital and addressable, manage budgets and client reporting, and foster

Qualifications

• 13+ years' experience in Media agencies or Marketing and/or Advertising.
• 7+ years' experience in leading and developing a multi-dimensional team.
• Ability to drive projects from conception to completion.
• Superior written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Understanding of the principles of marketing and advertising, as well as media concepts and terms.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain exceptional client relationships and partner relationships.
• Drive improvements and exceed benchmarks in client satisfaction and advocacy scores.
• Develop insightful and innovative Client Action Plans and ensure reporting, budgets and billing needs are met.
• Lead the execution of media negotiations and guide the team across Strategy, Communications Design and Partnerships.
• Deliver financial outcomes across client portfolios and manage profitability and scope.

Skills

Leadership

Communication & Presentation

Client Relationship Management

Budgeting & Financial Management

Team Mentorship

Education

13+ years of media/advertising experience

Job description

Group Business Director, Initiative Sydney

• Leading a flagship financial services client with big ambitions (and budgets)
• Perm role, Sydney
• Hybrid working; 2 WFH days a week

About us

Initiative unlocks business growth for the world's most ambitious brands. We believe in the power of media to reshape our industry and orchestrate a brand's entire consumer experience, by balancing both what unites people and what makes them different.

Media responsibility is at the forefront of everything we do, whether it's creating media plans that reflect the diversity of our communities, promote brand safety, or foster sustainability. Our agency celebrates diversity in an inclusive environment where all of our 6,000+ strong talent across 90+ markets feel seen, heard, and valued.

We come together to work three days a week in the light, bright sunny office in Surry Hills (just a couple of minutes from Central station) and do two days working from home - the perfect balance.

About the role

Due to an internal promotion, we have an opening for a Group Business Director to lead one of our biggest accounts. You'll be 100% covered on this account, allowing you to go deep with this category and client. Working into the Managing Partner, you'll have a team of around a dozen passionate and high-performing superstars underneath you who will all testify to the great team culture (along with the stellar results they've been getting - the account is in really good shape, in fact the best 360 feedback in 18 years!).

Our client invests heavily in strategy and planning across all channels, with a focus on offline/ATL, digital and addressable.

This role is broadly responsible for the day-to-day leadership of the team and client, the work the agency produces, budgets, targets, effective collaboration with discipline leads and how our clients review us. In short, our GBD's role is about stakeholder management, partnership and trust. These are some of the responsibilities you'll take on:

Client

• Build and maintain exceptional client relationships, partner relationships and business (+ category) knowledge
• Drive improvements and exceed set benchmarks in client satisfaction and advocacy scores as measured via TRR
• Develop insightful and innovative Client Action Plans
• Ensure all client reporting, budget management, authorisation and billing needs are met

Internal

• Active participation in client briefings, clearly articulate client needs and objectives to the integrated Strategy, Communications Design and Partnership leads
• Apply a client lens to all areas of Initiative product, ensuring solutions developed are business- appropriate and meet agreed-upon KPIs
• Educate team and the Initiative Senior Leadership Team on the clients' business, culture and industry on a regular basis
• Guide and provide leadership for the execution of media negotiations including partnership with key stakeholders

Commercial

• Delivery of all financial goals across client portfolio
• Drive forward-looking planning costs, market projections and rationale
• Update Managing Partner on utilisation, profitability, fees and scope of work compliance on a quarterly basis

Team leadership

• Drive a positive and motivating work environment for the team
• Manage team output and develop effective workflows ensuring quality delivery to the client
• Promote an inclusive working environment where opinions, views and ideas can be shared
• Lead the people processes for the team including conducting performance reviews, providing clear guidance on KPIs, approving leave and managing resources effectively
• Ensure team members master the skills, tools and organisation savvy required for success and advancement

Agency leadership

• Build deep relationships and craft collaborative partnership with clients' partners agencies
• Ensure a positive relationship between clients and Strategy, Communications Design, Partnerships and SBU leads on your group of accounts
• Actively contribute to new business pitches

About you

• Ideally 13+ years' experience in Media agencies or Marketing and/or Advertising
• Ideally 7+ years' experience in leading, managing and developing a multi-dimensional team
• Ability to drive projects from conception to completion
• Detailed awareness of client business issues, industry trends, consumer trends, promotional resources, market status and competition
• Understanding of the principles of marketing and advertising, as well as an understanding of media concepts and terms, creative and budget requirements
• Superior written and verbal communication and presentation skills
• Ability to work successfully with teams, handling multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines under pressure

INITIATIVE together with our Omnicom Media Group network is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and people of all backgrounds to apply. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or marital, veteran, or disability status. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.