General Manager jobs in South Africa

1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicantsOverviewThe Managing Director (MD) leads the strategic vision, growth, and creative transformation of Machine, ensuring it remains a future-fit, award-worthy agency.

This role is responsible for driving integrated business success across both Cape Town and Johannesburg offices, aligning client ambition with operational excellence, and ensuring the agency delivers best-in-class, end-to-end solutions.OverviewThe Managing Director (MD) leads the strategic vision, growth, and creative transformation of Machine, ensuring it remains a future-fit, award-worthy agency.

This role is responsible for driving integrated business success across both Cape Town and Johannesburg offices, aligning client ambition with operational excellence, and ensuring the agency delivers best-in-class, end-to-end solutions.The MD will guide the senior team, cultivate talent, strengthen client relationships, and foster cross-Groupe collaboration - all while ensuring strategic, creative, and commercial outcomes are achieved.ResponsibilitiesBusiness DevelopmentLead and contribute to new business prospecting and pitch management.Position Machine as a leading creative agency with specialist content marketing capabilities.Drive growth through Groupe collaboration and cross-sell opportunities.Shape and evolve the agency's commercial proposition.Lead a modern and profitable national operation across Cape Town and Johannesburg.Strategic Client RelationshipsNurture trusted relationships with senior clients and stakeholders.Champion product excellence and creative delivery.Ensure delivery against client expectations and agency standards.Maintain high client satisfaction and drive organic growth.Deeply understand client environments and proactively identify growth opportunities.Revenue Growth & ProfitabilityLead workforce planning and resource optimisation.Identify and implement operational and commercial best practices.Drive efficiencies and economies of scale while maintaining creative excellence.Partner with the Financial Director on budgeting and financial performance.Monitor margins, manage costs, and align resources with growth targets.Talent LeadershipAttract, retain and develop top-tier creative and strategic talent.Embed a culture of high performance, inclusion, and continuous development.Support capability building through formal and informal learning programmes.Ensure team compliance with Groupe policies, performance management and disciplinary processes.Lead and evolve the hybrid client service and project management function.Operational ExcellenceDrive workflow efficiency, delivery assurance and standards of excellence.Lead integrated resourcing, scoping, and cost management.Align internal teams to deliver seamless, multi-channel campaigns.Leverage Groupe networks and tools to enable high-impact work.Ensure accountability, clarity, and performance across all teams and projects.QualificationsPostgraduate qualification in business, marketing, or commerce.Tertiary qualification relevant to the advertising industry.Minimum 10 years' industry experience, with at least 5 years in senior leadership.Proven success across creative, strategic, and operational domains.Strong commercial acumen and financial literacy.Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.Qualities & Critical SkillsLeadershipRespected industry voice; inspires confidence from clients, peers, and teams.Demonstrates integrity, resilience, and long-term strategic thinking.Change AgentChampions innovation and new ways of workingfortable navigating transformation and complexity.Drives organisational adaptability through technical and human-centred leadership.Connector & CollaboratorBuilds strong relationships across clients, teams, and Groupe agencies.Creates inclusive, high-trust environments.Values diverse thinking and fosters collaboration to drive resultsmunicatorTransparent, compelling, and empathetic communicator.Ensures all voices are heard, respected, and aligned to the vision.Additional InformationThis job description outlines the core responsibilities of the role but is not exhaustive.

Additional tasks aligned to the scope and capabilities of the role may be assigned as needed.Seniority levelSeniority levelNot ApplicableEmployment typeEmployment typeFull-timeJob functionJob functionBusiness Development and SalesIndustriesHospitals and Health Care, Non-profit Organizations, and Government AdministrationReferrals increase your chances of interviewing at Publicis Groupe by 2xSign in to set job alerts for "Managing Director" roles.Chief Shared Services Officer (5 Year Performance Based Fixed Term Contract Appointment)Glenvista, Gauteng, South Africa 1 day agoHead of Operations - Sandton International - Nutun RXJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 1 month agoJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 6 days agoSandton, Gauteng, South Africa 2 weeks agoCity of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 1 week agoBusiness Development Head (New Business)Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 23 hours agoJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 2 months agoJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 4 days agoJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 23 hours agoCity of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 5 days agoJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 1 week agoMidrand, Gauteng, South Africa 4 weeks agoSandton, Gauteng, South Africa 1 month agoRegional Business Sales Director (Facilities Industry)Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 3 days agoJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 1 day agoJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 3 hours agoJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 1 day agoRegional Business Sales Director (Facilities Industry) JHB – Hyde ParkJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 6 days agoJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 1 day agoAfrican Business Development Director (H / F) - AIRBUS SOUTHERN AFRICA (PTY) LIMITEDJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 6 days agoJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 4 days agoRegional Divisional Head : Industrial AutomationSandton, Gauteng, South Africa 3 months agoHead of business development South AfricaDeputy Director : Commercial Services (AD06)Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 1 week agoJohannesburg Metropolitan Area 1 week agoHead of University Partnerships (Johannesburg)Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 1 month agoSandton, Gauteng, South Africa 1 month agoJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 5 days agoWe're unlocking community knowledge in a new way.

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