Group Account Director - FTC

The Up&Up Group (affiliated to the global M&C Saatchi Group); Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

The Up&Up Group is seeking an experienced Group Account Director for a contract role in Johannesburg, responsible for senior client leadership, strategic direction, and integrated campaign delivery. You will manage key accounts, lead cross‑functional teams, and oversee budgets to drive commercial success.

The role requires FMCG and Automotive agency experience, strong stakeholder management, and a proven track record in delivering high‑quality, integrated campaigns across multiple channels.

Qualifications

• Matric certificate with university exemption.
• Relevant qualification in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, or a related field.
• 2–3 years' experience operating as a Group Account Director within an advertising or creative agency.
• Proven FMCG and Automotive agency account experience is essential.
• Africa experience would be an advantage, especially regional or multi‑market accounts across Africa.
• Proven experience managing large, integrated campaigns across multiple channels.
• Strong senior client and stakeholder management experience.
• Excellent strategic, presentation, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Strong commercial and project management capabilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• CHASE or similar agency workflow experience would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall agency relationship across FMCG and Automotive clients.
• Provide strategic counsel and direction across marketing, brand, and communications.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders.
• Lead integrated campaigns across Creative, Strategy, Digital, Social, Media, Content and Production.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary agency teams and ensure effective collaboration.
• Own projects from brief and strategy through to execution and delivery.
• Manage client budgets, scopes, timelines, resources and overall commercial performance.
• Identify opportunities for account growth and strengthen the overall client partnership.
• Work closely with Creative, Strategy, Digital, and Production leadership.
• Ensure the agency consistently delivers high‑quality, strategically relevant work aligned to client objectives.
• Provide clear direction, prioritisation, and accountability across the account team.

Skills

Senior client management

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Project management

Budget management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Presentation skills

Communication

Education

Matric with university exemption

Marketing/Advertising/Communications degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are a highly entrepreneurial and opportunity focused company who want to be the most desired creative company on the African continent and beyond. To achieve this, we set out to inspire our people and define ourselves as a Group with one powerful orientation at our core: WE BOLDLY GO. These few words serve as both an invitation and challenge to all our people to always do the BOLD thing, together. The idea that, in the face of considerable challenges & change, we would be daring enough to do something audacious. Challenge yourself. Be bold. Join us.

We are looking for an experienced Group Account Director with proven FMCG and Automotive agency experience to join the team on a contract basis from now until December 2026.

You will be responsible for senior client leadership, strategic direction, integrated campaign delivery, and the overall commercial health of a key client account.

You'll be great in this role if you:

• Have proven FMCG and Automotive account experience within an advertising or creative agency.
• Have strong experience operating at Group Account Director level on complex, integrated accounts.
• Are confident managing senior client stakeholders and multidisciplinary agency teams.
• Bring strong strategic thinking, commercial awareness, and excellent organisational skills.
• Can manage multiple priorities while maintaining quality, momentum, and attention to detail.
• Have a strong understanding of integrated brand, digital, social, media, content, and customer communications.
• Are passionate about creative quality and delivering work that makes an impact.
• Take ownership, provide clear leadership, and remain accountable for delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the overall agency relationship across FMCG and Automotive clients.
• Provide strategic counsel and direction across marketing, brand, and communications.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders.
• Lead integrated campaigns across Creative, Strategy, Digital, Social, Media, Content, and Production.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary agency teams and ensure effective collaboration.
• Own projects from brief and strategy through to execution and delivery.
• Manage client budgets, scopes, timelines, resources, and overall commercial performance.
• Identify opportunities for account growth and strengthen the overall client partnership.
• Work closely with Creative, Strategy, Digital, and Production leadership.
• Ensure the agency consistently delivers high-quality, strategically relevant work aligned to client objectives.
• Provide clear direction, prioritisation, and accountability across the account team.

Experience & Qualifications:

• Matric certificate with university exemption.
• Relevant qualification in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, or a related field.
• 2-3 years' experience operating as a Group Account Director within an advertising or creative agency.
• Proven FMCG and Automotive agency account experience is essential.
• Africa experience would be an advantage, particularly experience managing regional or multi-market accounts, as the role will engage with clients and stakeholders at Group level across Africa.
• Proven experience managing large, integrated campaigns across multiple channels.
• Strong senior client and stakeholder management experience.
• Excellent strategic, presentation, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Strong commercial and project management capabilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• CHASE or similar agency workflow experience would be advantageous.

If you do not hear from us within two weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful. Thank you for your interest in the opportunity.