Head of Digital Experience & Discovery

MBM; Auckland; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Publicis Liberté flexibility

Marcel AI Platform access

15,000+ Marcel Classes

Career Conversations program

Viva! Inclusion programs

Job summary

MBM, part of Publicis Groupe in New Zealand, is seeking a Head of Digital Experience & Discovery to lead the evolution of search across our agency and client portfolio. This senior leader will shape AI-first discoverability, mentor talent, and build new products and frameworks with cross-functional teams across Search, Media, Data & Analytics.

This role sits on MBM's Digital Leadership Team, collaborating with senior brands to shape visibility across traditional search, AI-powered

Qualifications

• Deep experience in SEO, organic discovery, digital strategy or a related discipline.
• Strong understanding of how search is evolving through AI assistants, answer engines and discovery platforms.
• Experience working with senior clients and translating complex ideas into commercial opportunities.
• Track record of building products, methodologies, frameworks or consulting offerings.
• Paid search experience and understanding of how organic and paid discovery work together.

Responsibilities

• Shape MBM's AI discoverability, GEO and answer engine optimisation capabilities.
• Influence how major brands approach visibility in an AI-first world.
• Build new products, frameworks and methodologies that differentiate MBM in market.
• Lead thought leadership, innovation and experimentation in fast-evolving digital marketing.
• Mentor and grow specialist talent while establishing best practice across the agency.

Skills

SEO leadership

Organic discovery

Digital strategy

AI-driven search

Client engagement

Product/framework development

Job description

As AI assistants, answer engines and emerging discovery platforms reshape how people find information, brands need a new approach to visibility. At MBM, we're building that future.

We're looking for a Head of Digital Experience & Discovery to lead the evolution of search across our agency and client portfolio. This is a senior leadership role for someone who can see where discovery is heading and help clients stay ahead of it.

You’ll sit on MBM's Digital Leadership Team, working across some of New Zealand's most recognised brands to shape how they appear across traditional search, AI search experiences and the next generation of discovery platforms.

While your focus will be helping grow capability within MBM, you'll also be backed by the power of Publicis Groupe. Through a global network of specialists, industry-leading tools, shared IP and emerging AI capabilities, you'll have access to expertise and innovation that extends far beyond New Zealand.

Why this role?

This isn't a traditional SEO leadership position.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Shape MBM's AI discoverability, GEO and answer engine optimisation capabilities.
• Influence how major brands approach visibility in an AI-first world.
• Build new products, frameworks and methodologies that differentiate MBM in market.
• Work alongside specialists across Search, Media, Data & Analytics, Social and Digitas.
• Lead thought leadership, innovation and experimentation in one of the fastest evolving areas of digital marketing.
• Mentor and grow specialist talent while helping establish best practice across the agency.

What you’ll bring

We're less interested in specific platforms and more interested in your ability to lead, influence and evolve capability.

You’ll likely bring:

• Deep experience in SEO, organic discovery, digital strategy or a related discipline.
• A strong understanding of how search is evolving through AI assistants, answer engines and emerging discovery platforms.
• Experience working with senior clients and translating complex ideas into commercial opportunities.
• A track record of building products, methodologies, frameworks or consulting offerings.
• Paid search experience and an understanding of how organic and paid discovery work together.
• A passion for innovation and a genuine curiosity about where search is heading next.

Why MBM?

MBM is one of New Zealand's most awarded and recognised media agencies, known for combining data, technology, creativity and media to deliver meaningful business outcomes for clients.

As part of Publicis Groupe, you’ll join a global community of media, search, data and digital specialists who are helping shape the future of discoverability, AI-powered search and customer experience. You’ll have access to world‑class thinking, leading technology partners, proprietary tools and global best practice, while retaining the opportunity to make a visible impact in a local market.

This is a rare opportunity to build and lead a future‑focused capability within MBM while drawing on the scale, investment and expertise of one of the world's largest communications groups.

Additional information

• A comprehensive Wholeself program supporting Physical, Mindful and Financial wellbeing
• A creative, fun and rewarding office environment backed up by our Publicis Liberté flexibility approach “working your way, with us!”
• Access to our Global AI Platform, Marcel, connecting Publicis Groupe employees with opportunities for career mobility and collaboration across our global network
• Extensive Learning & Development opportunities, including more than 15,000 learning programs via our online learning platform Marcel Classes
• A culture of open feedback and support to reach your goals through our Career Conversations program
• A committed Diversity, Equality and Inclusion strategy driven through our Viva! Women, Égalité, enABLE and Embrace (reconciliation action plan) programs
• Work Your World program enabling employees the flexibility to work from anywhere in the world for up to 6 weeks per year
• A workplace that stands together to provide a more open, supportive, and recovery-forward culture for all employees with life‑threatening illnesses. Read more about our Working With Cancer Pledge - Homepage - Working with Cancer Pledge
• Inclusive leave policies such as Fertility Treatment, Menopause, Flexible Public Holidays, Gender Aff… and Parental leave with up to 18 weeks paid primary carer leave and generous secondary carer benefits
• Access to counsellors, psychologists, and professionals through Sonder - an all-in-on digital wellbeing technology platform designed to support psychological, medical & safety needs

Uniqueness is powerful; without it we wouldn’t be where we are today. So be you – we like it that way.

Diversity. Inclusion. Equity. More than just words, these are part of our DNA. At Publicis Groupe we are committed to the inclusion and recognition of all people; regardless of race, age, culture, ability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status and religious affiliation. We believe that to deliver the best solutions to our clients, our people need to reflect the diverse communities in which our clients operate in. We value diversity and the skills, knowledge and experience that difference brings to our culture and solutions.

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for people with disability or those that require additional support throughout the application process.