Social Account Director

Ogilvy South Africa; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 850,000 - 1,350,000; Full time

Job summary

Ogilvy Social.Lab in Cape Town is seeking an Account Director with a strong digital background to lead and grow international brands. You will own client relationships, drive strategy, and oversee portfolio profitability in a fast-moving agency environment.

Responsibilities include strategic direction for portfolios, revenue growth, tight collaboration with creative, strategy and production teams, and delivering impactful campaigns from briefing to completion, while mentoring junior account

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5-7+ years of proven experience in an Account Management/Director role within an agency or client-side environment.
• Deep understanding of the digital marketing landscape, including platforms, best practices, and emerging trends.
• Excellent portfolio management, organizational, and time management skills.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop and implement strategic solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic direction for assigned client portfolios, acting as a trusted advisor and building strong, long-term partnerships.
• Develop and implement client growth strategies, identifying opportunities to expand existing business and secure new projects.
• Collaborate with internal teams to execute campaigns and deliver exceptional results.
• Manage portfolio budget and ensure profitability across campaigns.
• Develop strategic client reports with campaign insights and market trends.

Skills

Digital marketing

Client management

Portfolio management

Team leadership

Communication

Presentation skills

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

MS Office

Project management tools

Agency management platforms

Job description

Social.Lab is where creative excellence meets digital performances

We're a modern creative agency in every sense with a culture of curiosity, exploration and growth. We want to do more, to push harder for greatness. We're eager to redefine the boundaries of what advertising can be and how brands can reach new audiences, as technology reshapes our industry. Our growth plan is driven by offering our expertise to both local and international clients through a multi-market footprint.

All disciplines work together in our bright, open-plan office, with a friendly culture and creatively permissive environment. We make brands matter in todays world, by combining compelling creative ideas with effective distribution and optimization.

We cherish our entrepreneurial spirit and embrace the opportunity to rethink marketing and communications while challenging the status quo.

We are looking for an Account Director

Ogilvy Social.Lab seeks an experienced Account Director with a strong digital background to lead and grow key international brands.

We believe that strong, agile, and capable client service fuels business growth through seamless collaboration with our agency capabilities and solutions teams. We deliver impactful work for our clients by providing excellent service and strategic guidance, efficiently and effectively.

This role demands strategic client leadership, portfolio management, team leadership, and proactive growth initiatives. A deep understanding of digital marketing encompassing content, media, and strategy is essential. As an Account Director, you will ensure client satisfaction, portfolio profitability, and team development. The Account Director oversees the coordination and execution of projects, guiding them from initial briefing to successful delivery.

Client Relationship Management:

• Lead the strategic direction for assigned client portfolios, acting as a trusted advisor and building strong, long-term partnerships.
• Develop and implement client growth strategies, identifying opportunities to expand existing business and secure new projects.
• Proactively anticipate and address client needs, ensuring their business objectives are met and exceeded.
• Lead client presentations and communication, effectively conveying complex information and strategic recommendations.
• Understand the full suite of agency solutions and strategically recommend appropriate services to meet client needs.

Project Management

• Develop and manage detailed project plans, timelines, and budgets, effectively communicating progress and managing expectations.
• Collaborate seamlessly with internal (creative, strategy, production, etc.) and in-market teams to execute campaigns and deliver exceptional results.
• Manage client expectations effectively, providing regular updates and proactively addressing any concerns.
• Foster collaboration and team culture within teams and across departments, particularly when working on client projects.

Oversee portfolio budget management, ensuring profitability and efficient resource allocation.

• Develop accurate scope of work proposals (SOWs) and manage client invoicing, ensuring timely and accurate billing.
• Manage Work in Progress (WIP) adjustments and support revenue forecasting for the portfolio.
• Analyse financial performance and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability.

Reporting & Analysis:

Develop and deliver strategic client reports, providing insights into campaign performance, market trends, and competitive activity.

• Develop compelling case studies that showcase successful campaigns and demonstrate the value delivered to clients.
• Proactively monitor industry trends and share relevant insights with clients and internal teams.

Desired Skills & Experiences:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5-7+ years of proven experience in an Account Management/Director role within an agency or client-side environment, ideally with at least 2 years specifically as an Account Director or equivalent.
• Deep understanding of the digital marketing landscape, including platforms, best practices, and emerging trends.
• Excellent portfolio management, organizational, and time management skills.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop and implement strategic solutions.

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, project management tools, and agency management platforms.