PR Client Lead

Publicis Groupe Holdings B.V; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 750 000 - 950 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading communications agency is seeking a Client Lead to manage team performance and client relationships in Johannesburg, South Africa. Candidates should have over 10 years of experience in PR account management, with a track record in financial portfolio management and strategic PR delivery. Responsibilities include reporting to senior management and mentoring team members while ensuring high-quality deliverables across multiple projects. This role requires excellent interpersonal, communication, and time management skills.

Qualifications

• Demonstrates understanding of the importance of agency morale and a healthy culture.
• Pays attention to all the details and ensures quality control.
• Understands the bigger picture of project components.

Responsibilities

• Managing team performance and aligning client mandates.
• Collaborating with senior teams on PR strategy and delivery.
• Accountable for financial portfolio management and client billings.

Skills

Operational Efficiency

Interpersonal Skills

Time Management

Solutions Driven

Strategic Mindset

Education

10+ years' experience in PR Account Management

Client-side experience

Experience working with senior clients

Job description

Responsibilities

The Client Lead Role expectations will include, but not limited to the following:

Team & client management

• Reporting into MSL MD to ensure alignment of client mandate; resource management and financial sustainability, as well as organic growth opportunities.
• Collaborating with GM & Head of Africa Practice to ensure delivery of PGA network mandate and skills transfer.
• Collaborating with senior MSL BrandProtect team re any potential issues, reputation management, and crisis communications briefs.
• Managing a team of 6/7 PR consultants to deliver on corporate mandates of the client’s two SA-based key divisions.
• Broad oversight of 15 key African territories – ensuring they are delivering on the ground against set OpCo mandates, as well as consistency of PR messaging, reporting, and general best practice – as MSL SA as lead agency.
• Development, management, and implementation of Business Units’ financial plan.
• PR strategy development.
• Content review and mentorship.
• Oversight of senior Influencer team.
• Team leadership through strategic talent management and delegation.
• Ensuring team’s effective time and billing capturing via PGA software platforms.
• Team inspirer, mentor & coach.
• Team skills development / skills transfer.
• Leading with a client‑centric mindset, a positive and inspirational outlook always.
• Senior client interface and relationship management.
• Unlocking cross‑service opportunities for sister PR agencies (other disciplines and solutions beyond PR & Influencer Relations).
• Managing lead agency approach with all client PR stakeholders.
• Applying strategic thinking to guide and develop PR briefs across PR & influencer mandates.
• Identifying software and / or AI tool(s) gaps to improve client and agency efficiencies.
• Custodian of MSL agency well‑being and culture.

Financial responsibilities

• Collaborating with Financial Partner to ensure revenue targets are met.
• Accountable for accurate financial portfolio management. (Revenue, WIP, Debtors support).
• Accountable for accurate monthly BU finance reporting.
• Client Billings (Billings vs. Revenue) custodian.
• Accountable for weekly/monthly client New Business (project) updates, as required.

Qualifications

Qualities that we look for in our people:

Positive Influence – a positive team member who keeps the team motivated. Demonstrates understanding of the importance of agency morale and a healthy hay happy culture.

Operational Efficiency – someone who can spread themselves across multiple tasks simultaneously by working smartly, efficiently, and effectively.

Meticulous – while we want someone who is efficient, they also need to pay attention to all the details and ensure they ‘Dot the I’s and cross the T’s.’ They should do things once and do them right. This requires a keen sense of pride in their work and ensuring that all output goes through rigorous quality control. Organisation is key trait.

Bigger Picture Mentality – as a Client Lead, this person must be able to step back and understand the bigger picture and how all the various components of a project affect one another instead of looking at channels in isolation.

Time Management – identify the urgent & important tasks and priorities to ensure delivery to client and other stakeholders.

Interpersonal Skills – we want someone who can build relationships both internally and externally. As the point of contact between agency team members, client, and PGA.

Solutions Driven – we need someone who can think on their feet and produce quick solutions to everyday problems. They should see all problems as a challenge for them to overcome.

Delivery Accountability on Projects – manages client expectation on quality, cost & timing. The client has an extremely strict process in terms of timings, and this process must be managed carefully.

Financial Acumen – this person must be able to take on full internal and campaign financial ownership. This includes but is not limited to management of invoices, POs, and project budgets including job reconciliations.

Passion for PR & Corporate Communications – someone who drives best‑in‑class work. This means creating an environment where PR ideas, earned content and innovation can flourish.

Strategic Mindset – these portfolios have a strong focus on PR strategy, and it is critical to ensure understanding of the strategy and ensuring that this is integrated into the communications output.

Essential Requirements:

• 10+ years’ experience in the PR Account Management function.
• PR BUD, SAD, and/or Client Lead experience is advantageous. Experience in managing team of 5+ people is critical.
• Client‑side experience is advantageous.
• Experience of working with senior clients across multiple portfolios. This includes C‑suite executives.
• Reputation Management experience.
• Strong content generation abilities (thought leadership).
• Strong knowledge of the global and local news agenda and the ability to spot proactive/ reactive PR ideas.
• Experience with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience within a lead agency model.
• Strong Corporate PR understanding.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Excellent financial acumen.