23 Oct
Digitas
Sandton
Job Description
The Group Account Director (GAD) will be responsible for overseeing multiple account teams and ensuring the successful management and growth of client relationships in line with budgets, pitch opportunities, retention & CS excellence integration.
- Support the BUD, Client and Agency teams by ensuring management and monitoring of the timelines and milestones of short and long term strategic, creative & financial objectives for ongoing success.
- Pro-actively escalating issues to BUD as needed to prevent Client escalation.
- Living shared values and core behaviours of Publicis Group Africa
- Inculcate core values and behaviours in the culture, beliefs and behaviours of the Account Directors team members
- Maintain excellent intercompany and interdepartmental communication and knowledge transfer
Day to Day:
- Client Management : serves as the main point of contact for high-profile clients, building and maintaining strong relationships, understanding their needs, and ensuring client satisfaction.
- Team Leadership : lead and mentor account teams, providing guidance, direction, and support to ensure the successful execution of campaigns and projects.
- Strategic Planning: R esponsible for developing strategic plans and objectives for client accounts, working closely with clients and internal teams to align strategies with business goals.
- Business Development: identify new business opportunities, pitch ideas to potential clients, and work to expand the agency's client base.
- Financial Management: Manage account budgets, monitor financial performance, and ensure profitability while meeting client expectations.
- Campaign Oversight:
Oversee the development and implementation of advertising and marketing campaigns, ensuring they are delivered on time, on budget, and meet quality standards.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration : Collaborate with other departments such as creative, media, and research to deliver integrated solutions that meet client objectives.
- Performance Evaluation: Assess the performance of account teams, provide feedback, and implement strategies for continuous improvement.
Growth and Profitability:
- Assist BUD in driving the optimisation and harmonisation/integration of the various departments and PGA affiliated agencies.
- Ensure maintenance of implemented resource & infrastructure optimisation
- Ensure maintenance of implemented best-practice (both directions)
- Maintain efficiencies,
economies of scale & resource optimisation
Talent:
- Assist BUD to retain and grow the best Account Management talent in the industry, acting as a role model for jnr Account Management members.
- Support knowledge transfer, knowledge sharing and up skilling through relevant & appropriate learning/teaching channels
- Professional maturity to effectively collaborate with other agencies (e.g. Media, Activation, production & PR) partners.
Operational Excellence:
- Monitor and manage the workflow process, escalating to BUD where necessary.
- Monitor standards and implement client feedbackback and measurement systems for agency growth and reputational management
- Assist to optimise internal resource allocation and utilisation
- The ability to scope projects from a resourcing and timing point of view.
- Solid writing, speaking & presenting skills in English.
- Develop Junior Account Management team members to mentor them in creating and seamlessly delivering on integrated campaigns.
Qualifications
- Tertiary qualification: Relevant Marketing Diploma/Degree
- Advanced marketing qualifications would be an advantage
- Project Management qualification will be an advantage
Experience:
- At least 4-5 years of relevant experience in the advertising industry.
- At least 2 years of experience in a leadership capacity.
- Top talent who has demonstrated ability to manage scaled campaigns in all areas of brand building (communications, experiences and technology).
- Solid writing,
speaking & presenting skills in English.
Behavioural Competencies:
- Strategic Thinking
- Inspirational Leadership
- Business Acumen
- Problem solving & descision making skills
- Strong analytical & reasoning skills
- Client relationship building
- Leading a Team
Critical Success Factors:
- Implementation of operational process
- Motivating and inspiring junior team members
- Operational accountability
- Financial Management on a senior level
- Writing briefs for the interal studio
- Strong interpersonal skills,
- Strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of both client needs and agency capabilities.
- Driving growth, fostering innovation, and maintaining the agency's reputation for excellence in client service and campaign execution.