Group Account Director

Irvine Partners; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,300,000 - 1,900,000; Full time

Job summary

Irvine Partners in Johannesburg is seeking a Group Account Director to oversee multiple account teams, drive client satisfaction, and ensure seamless integration of campaigns across creative, PR, and digital disciplines. The ideal candidate will be a strategic leader with deep experience in communications, a proven ability to grow client relationships, and the talent to inspire high-performing teams.

You will also handle budgets, pitches, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver measurable

Qualifications

• Proven ability to manage complex, multi-channel campaigns across sectors.
• Strong leadership with experience in guiding teams to high performance.
• Exceptional client management skills with a track record of growing relationships.

Responsibilities

• Act as primary contact for key client accounts and nurture trusted relationships.
• Lead development of innovative, multi-channel strategies aligned with client objectives.
• Oversee and mentor teams to ensure high standards of client service and professional development.

Skills

Campaign management

Leadership

Client management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Digital analytics

Tech-savviness

Industry knowledge

Tools

Analytics tools

Digital platforms

Job description

About Irvine Partners:

At Irvine Partners, we craft bespoke communications solutions for global industry leaders. We specialise in blending creative storytelling with strategic digital marketing to elevate brands and achieve impactful results. Our team includes strategic PR experts, award-winning journalists, seasoned copywriters, communication strategists, and digital innovators.

About the Role:

The Group Account Director will oversee multiple account teams, driving client satisfaction, delivering strategic value, and ensuring operational excellence. This senior role will act as a bridge between clients and our creative, PR, and digital teams, ensuring seamless integration of campaigns across all platforms.

The ideal candidate is a leader with extensive experience in strategic communications, exceptional client management skills, and the ability to inspire and empower teams.

Key responsibilities:

Client management:

• Act as the primary contact for key client accounts, nurturing strong, trusted relationships.
• Lead the development of innovative, multi-channel strategies that align with client objectives.

Team leadership:

• Oversee and mentor a team ensuring high standards of client service and professional development.
• Work closely with the Senior Leadership Team to align team performance with company goals.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment.

Strategic oversight:

• Ensure all campaigns are strategically aligned, data-informed, and executed to the highest quality.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of industry trends, new technologies, and market opportunities to inform strategies.
• Review and approve key deliverables, ensuring they meet client expectations and align with brand archetypes.

Operational excellence:

• Collaborate with internal teams to streamline processes and optimise resource allocation.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, and account profitability.
• Lead pitches and proposals for prospective clients.

Stakeholder engagement:

• Represent Irvine Partners in high-level client and industry engagements.
• Advocate for the agency's vision, values, and innovative approach in all external interactions.

Business development:

• Proactively identify opportunities for organic growth within client portfolios.
• Partner with the Head of Business Development to support new-business efforts, including strategy development, pitch leadership and proposal contribution.
• Build and maintain strong industry relationships to help expand Irvine Partners’ commercial footprint.
• Support the creation of thought leadership, case studies and credentials that strengthen the agency’s position in the market.

Requirements & Experience:

• Expertise: Proven ability to manage complex, multi-channel campaigns across sectors, particularly finance, technology, FMCG, or retail.
• Leadership: Strong experience in leading and inspiring teams while driving performance and morale.
• Client focus: Exceptional client management skills, with a track record of maintaining and growing client relationships.
• Strategic thinking: Ability to develop forward-thinking strategies grounded in research and data insights.
• Communication: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including presentation delivery.
• Tech-savvy: Familiarity with digital platforms, analytics tools, and the latest technologies shaping communications.
• Ten years of experience in agency OR
• Combination of ten years of experience in agency + journalism OR
• Combination of ten years of experience in agency + communication.