Account Director

Ogilvy South Africa; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Ogilvy Cape Town, part of the Ogilvy network, seeks an Account Director to deepen client relationships, lead account teams, and drive successful campaigns from concept to delivery. You will understand client objectives, develop strategic communications plans, and ensure flawless execution across creative, strategy and production teams.

The role requires proactive, client-focused leadership, strong project management, and excellent communication skills to deliver measurable marketing outcomes for

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Marketing, Business, Communications, or related field.
• Proven ability to build and maintain long-term client relationships.
• Strong strategic marketing and communications planning experience.
• Demonstrated leadership to guide a team of account managers.
• Excellent project management with cross-functional collaboration.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Analytical mindset with ability to derive insights from data.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong client relationships by understanding their business needs and goals.
• Develop and implement account strategies aligned with clients' objectives and Ogilvy's vision.
• Oversee end-to-end project management ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery.
• Lead and mentor account executives to drive client satisfaction.
• Manage client budgets and resource allocation across campaigns.
• Analyze campaign performance and provide actionable optimization insights.
• Collaborate with business development to identify upsell opportunities and pitches.

Education

Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent

Job description

Ogilvy Cape Town is a renowned creative advertising agency that specializes in delivering innovative and strategic marketing solutions to a diverse portfolio of clients. As part of the global Ogilvy network, our team in Cape Town is dedicated to creating impactful campaigns that connect with audiences and drive business success. As an Account Director at Ogilvy Cape Town, you will play a pivotal role in nurturing client relationships, overseeing project management, and ensuring the seamless execution of campaigns from concept to delivery.

Role Overview

The Account Director will serve as the primary point of contact between Ogilvy Cape Town and our valued clients. You will be responsible for understanding clients' business objectives, developing effective communication strategies, and leading a team of account managers to deliver exceptional results. This role requires a proactive and client-focused individual who can build strong relationships, manage projects with precision, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive success.

Key Responsibilities

• Client Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with clients by understanding their business needs, goals, and challenges. Proactively provide strategic guidance to clients to drive effective marketing and advertising solutions.
• Account Strategy: Develop and implement comprehensive account strategies, together with your line manager, that align with clients' objectives and Ogilvy's creative vision. Continuously seek opportunities to upsell and expand services with existing clients.
• Project Oversight: Oversee the end-to-end project management process, ensuring that campaigns are executed flawlessly, on time, and within budget. Collaborate with internal teams, including creative, strategy, and production, to ensure seamless delivery of client projects.
• Team Leadership: Lead and inspire a team of account executives (when relevant), providing mentorship, guidance, and support to drive their professional growth and ensure client satisfaction.
• Budget Management: Responsible for managing client budgets, ensuring effective allocation of resources, and tracking project expenses.
• Campaign Performance Analysis: Analyze campaign results and provide actionable insights and recommendations to clients to optimize future marketing efforts.
• New Business Development: Collaborate with the business development team to identify and pursue new business opportunities. Contribute to pitches and presentations to win new clients.
• Contract and Proposal Management: Negotiate contracts and agreements with clients, ensuring terms are mutually beneficial and aligned with Ogilvy's policies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent: A degree in Marketing, Business, Communication, or a related field is preferred.
• Proven Experience: Minimum of 6 years of experience in account management.
• Client-Focused: A strong ability to build and maintain long-term client relationships, understanding their needs, and providing exceptional service.
• Strategic Thinker: Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing strategic marketing and communication plans.
• Leadership Skills: Proven leadership skills with the ability to motivate and guide a team of account managers to achieve success.
• Project Management: Excellent project management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively present ideas and concepts to clients and internal teams.
• Analytical Mindset: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to interpret campaign data and derive actionable insights.
• Adaptability: The ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, adapting to changing client needs and priorities.