Business Unit Director

Publicis Groupe; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Publicis Groupe is seeking a Business Unit Director in Johannesburg to lead and manage the client service team. The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining and growing relationships with clients and ensuring the successful execution of projects.

This role requires strong leadership skills, at least 6 years of advertising agency experience, and a background in account management. The position offers the opportunity to work within a dynamic team, promoting creativity and client success.

Qualifications

• At least 6 years' experience in an Advertising Agency (TTL experience).
• At least 4 years' experience as an Account Director in Account Management/Client Service.
• Good command of the English language (both verbal and written).

Responsibilities

• Manage the client service team and successful execution of client’s requirements.
• Drive client relationships to maintain trust and grow new business.
• Evaluate short and long term strategic and financial objectives.

Skills

Account Management

Digital Experience

People Management

Presentation Skills

Problem Solving

Business Acumen

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification (e.g. Business Management/Marketing Management)

Tools

MS Office (Word/Excel/PowerPoint)

Job description

Machine_ is a creative solutions agency represented across Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, and is home to over 75 adventurous minds. At Machine_ we don’t believe that intuition and gut feel are enough. That’s why everything we do starts with an insight. Our team of experts uses these insights to create impactful and accountable solutions that touch consumers at every point in their connected world.

Machine_ is part of Publicis Groupe, one of the fastest-growing global networks. Machine’s mantra, Never Afraid, underpins our values of doing the right thing, being curious, solution orientated and at its core ‘getting things done!’. Living this mantra daily helps grow our clients’ businesses and these are the values we look for when recruiting new talent. The right personality is just as important as the right experience. We’re here to work hard and have fun while doing it.

Business Unit Director

The Business Unit Director plays an essential role by leading and managing the client service team, providing strategic & operational input, being knowledgeable of all work completed and executed by the team and driving client relationships in order to maintain the trust in the team and grow new business.

Scope of the role

To manage the client service team and the successful execution of the client’s requirements. To maintain and grow client relationships and business opportunities.

Responsibilties (include but are not limited to)

• Drive the development and evaluation of short and long term strategic and financial objectives for ongoing success for the client service team
• Be the (first) business point of call for all Machine clients
• Manage contractual requirements and retainer
• Manage overall growth and wellness of the client service team
• Drive and champion Machine’s strategic goals, living shared values and core behaviors
• Attract, manage, retain and grow the best Account Management talent in the industry
• Support knowledge transfer, knowledge sharing and up skilling through relevant & appropriate learning / teaching channels
• Undertake ongoing monitoring / assessment of best-practice in account management and production, and the opportunity for adoption of best-practice
• Collaborate with other agencies (e.g. Media, Activation, production & PR) partners where possible
• Support the Account Director on existing workflow processes and suggest improvements where applicable
• Ensure spend is always in line with client /s budget
• Optimise internal and external resource allocation and utilisation
• The ability to scope projects from a resourcing and timing point of view

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification (i.e. Business Management / Marketing Management etc.)
• At least 6 years’ experience in an Advertising Agency (TTL experience)
• At least 4 years’ experience in Account Management / Client Service as an Account Director
• Digital experience is essential
• Proficient in MS Office (Word / Excel / PowerPoint etc.)
• A good command of the English language (both verbal and written)
• Excellent people management skills
• Strong presentation skills
• Strong problem solving and decision-making skills
• Strong business acumen and negotiating skills

Personality Attributes

• Team player
• Ability to remain calm in a highly pressurized environment
• Confident
• Assertive
• Resilient
• Proactive
• “An inspirational leader”
• Meticulous with attention to detail
• Other:
  • Flexible to work beyond normal office hours (overtime if and when required)
  • Comfortable work on alcohol brands (if and when required)
  • Driver’s licence and own vehicle

Additional information

Publics Groupe is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and prohibits any forms of Discrimination or Harassment. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our employees in line with our Employment Equity Plan. All appointments will be based on qualifications, experience and best fit but preference will be given to all affirmativeaction candidates or designated groups.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should you not hear from us within 2 weeks after submitting your application, please consider your application as unsuccessful.