Account Director

WPP Production; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

WPP Production is seeking an Account Director for South Africa to lead end‑to‑end delivery across complex, multi‑market projects. You will partner with Client Delivery teams, production counterparts, and global stakeholders to ensure on‑time, on‑budget execution that meets market requirements.

You will oversee senior client relationships, drive operational discipline, fan out across markets, and guide teams to deliver high‑quality outputs while navigating advertising regulations and cross‑border

Qualifications

• Experience delivering global and multi‑market work.
• Ability to coordinate delivery across markets and time zones.
• Hands‑on experience navigating multi‑market advertising regulation and clearance procedures.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the day‑to‑day lead for global and multi‑market Client Delivery across assigned client accounts.
• Ensure Client satisfaction by understanding needs and escalating concerns appropriately.
• Manage timelines, deliverables, scope and expectations across project teams.
• Provide regular status updates and maintain clear communication with clients and stakeholders across markets and time zones.
• Collaborate with dispersed Client Delivery, Production, Finance and partner teams to ensure smooth operations and consistent delivery.
• Lead medium‑to‑complex projects from initiation through completion.
• Drive operational discipline by managing objectives, budgets, timelines and deliverables.
• Maintain task lists, schedules, risk registers and reporting.
• Identify risks and escalate where necessary.

Skills

Global client delivery

Multi‑market coordination

Budget management

Cross‑functional leadership

Project coordination

Client communication

Stakeholder management

JIRA

Trello

Smartsheet

Miro

Tools

JIRA

Trello

Smartsheet

Miro

Job description

About WPP Production

We are WPP Production - the unified global production company that brings together all of WPP's content producers, studios and craft experts into one connected organisation. We combine world‑class human craft with next generation technology to originate, design, and deliver multi‑channel content systems at scale. Built for borderless collaboration and powered by deep craft expertise, we are the production engine designed for today’s always on, AI driven marketing world.

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting‑edge media intelligence and data solutions, world‑class creativity, next‑generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company - powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.

Account Director (South Africa)

WPP Production is expanding its global production capability through the development of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in South Africa. The CoE strengthens WPP Production's position as WPP's global production engine, providing best‑in‑class, client‑facing delivery and production across some of the world’s best‑known and most prestigious brands. Our South Africa Client Delivery team partners closely with clients and UK, regional and global counterparts to deliver high‑quality, scalable production and world‑class client servicing. These Client Delivery roles operate as part of a unified global delivery organisation, upholding WPP Production's gold‑standard operational excellence, commercial discipline and commitment to an exceptional client experience.

The role

Our Account Directors (ADs) are trusted client leads responsible for end‑to‑end delivery across complex projects, global programmes and multi‑market client accounts. ADs partner closely with Client Delivery teams, production counterparts, global stakeholders and clients, ensuring operational discipline, strong commercial stewardship and high‑quality project delivery. They lead geographically dispersed, multidisciplinary teams and ensure work is delivered on time, to specification, within budget and in accordance with applicable market requirements.

Key areas of responsibility

• Serve as the day‑to‑day lead for global and multi‑market Client Delivery across assigned client accounts.
• Ensure Client satisfaction by understanding needs and escalating concerns appropriately.
• Manage timelines, deliverables, scope and expectations across project teams.
• Provide regular status updates and maintain clear, effective communication with clients and global stakeholders across markets and time zones.
• Collaborate confidently with geographically dispersed Client Delivery, Production, Finance and partner teams to ensure smooth operations and consistent delivery.
• Lead medium‑to‑complex projects from initiation through completion.
• Drive operational discipline by managing objectives, budgets, timelines and deliverables.
• Maintain accurate task lists, schedules, trackers, risk registers and reporting.
• Identify risks and escalate to Senior Account Director or Delivery Lead where necessary
• Liaise with clients, suppliers, agencies and market teams to gather briefs, assets, technical requirements and local advertising regulation and clearance requirements.
• Ensure the highest level of delivery quality and compliance across all relevant markets.

Leadership

• Create a culture of collaboration, respect, inclusion and continuous development.
• Lead by example, demonstrating ownership, professionalism and passion.
• Support teams by removing barriers, enabling them to deliver effectively.
• Contribute to team growth, development and retention.

Financials

• Demonstrate strong commercial acumen and financial management skills.
• Manage project budgets, tracking costs and reconciling estimates to actuals.
• Oversee financial reporting, billing and profitability analysis.
• Understand commercial arrangements, contractual obligations and SLAs across accounts.
• Protect margins, ensure all projects are profitable and identify new organic revenue opportunities.

Non‑negotiable requirements

• Previous professional experience delivering global and multi‑market work, with accountability for coordinating delivery consistently across multiple countries or regions.
• Proven experience managing global stakeholders, including aligning differing priorities, expectations and decision‑makers across markets and time zones.
• Demonstrable confidence working with and liaising across geographically dispersed, cross‑functional teams.
• Previous hands‑on experience navigating multi‑market advertising regulation, compliance and clearance procedures, including coordination with local market stakeholders and relevant approval bodies.

Additional requirements

• Client or project management experience within an integrated, production or digital agency.
• Strong understanding of production processes across channels including broadcast, digital, social, content and video.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and multidisciplinary teams across markets.
• Experience building strong senior‑level client and stakeholder relationships.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, globally matrixed environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and project management tools such as JIRA, Trello, Smartsheet or Miro.
• Curiosity about and a foundational understanding of AI and its application

Why work here:

At WPP Production, you’ll help shape the future of content production at a truly global scale. We bring together world‑class talent, cutting‑edge studios, and advanced technology to solve some of the most complex creative and production challenges in the industry. You’ll work in a collaborative, borderless environment where craft excellence is valued, innovation is encouraged, and AI and next‑generation tools are used to amplify not replace human creativity. With access to diverse projects, global career opportunities, and the backing of WPP's unmatched network, this is a place where you can grow your skills, make real impact, and create work that performs for every audience, across every channel, at every moment.

Inclusion and Impact

WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

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