Business Unit Director

LOCATION:
 Rosebank, Johannesburg

REPORTS TO:
 Managing Director and Chief Operations Officer

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
This is a hybrid role requiring in-office presence, with specified days allocated for remote work. After-hours or weekend availability may be required from time to time.

ABOUT US

At The Bread, we strive for excellence in everything we do. We're a growing independent agency that lives at the intersection of culture and communication, and we're passionate about the brands we work with. We value attention to detail, innovation and creativity; we are driven by growth; and we love working within a supportive and collaborative team.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We're looking for a Business Unit Director to join our leadership team: a strategic, hands-on thinker and multi-disciplinary leader who can connect dots across departments and elevate the performance of our teams.

As our first BUD, you'll take on a broad leadership portfolio and help shape this new role, with an opportunity to add real value from day one.

Unlike traditional Business Unit Director roles focused on a single vertical or portfolio, the BUD position at The Bread will require an agency-wide outlook. You'll oversee and bridge The Bread's various departments, guiding Department Heads/Leads and client service to ensure every function is aligned, high-performing, and delivering best-in-class work. Our BUD shouldn't be managing day-to-day work, but rather directing, aligning, and problem-solving, while Department Heads/Leads own their functions.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for someone who can see the whole picture, ensuring teams work in harmony, clients feel supported, and departments achieve success. You'll balance high-level strategy with on-the-ground leadership –– connecting various functions to ensure departments run efficiently and deliver exceptional work.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Oversee all agency departments, alongside the Managing Director, ensuring alignment and quality across disciplines (PR, influencer marketing, content, social media, client service and design).
2. Lead and mentor client service teams and Department Heads/Leads, driving accountability, collaboration, and performance excellence.
3. Maintain documentation 
   associated with departmental activity and performance
   , enforce systems, and ensure consistent process adherence across departments.
4. Serve as a trusted advisor and senior point of contact for client escalation, ensuring strategic alignment, satisfaction, and service excellence.
5. Champion client needs internally, ensuring feedback, insights, and opportunities drive team output.
6. Oversee high-level strategy across PR, influencer marketing, social, and content, ensuring integrated, insight-led approaches.
7. Identify and manage potential risks or crises, guiding clients and teams through resolution with professionalism and clarity.
8. Champion seamless collaboration between departments, ensuring unified workflows and integrated campaign delivery.
9. Maintain a high-level oversight of work delivered, upholding high standards across the agency.
10. Oversee financial performance, budgets, profitability, and forecasting in partnership with the Managing Director and Operations Manager.
11. Track department performance and efficiency, driving continuous improvement, scalability, and growth.
12. Conduct performance reviews and work with the Operations Manager on agency-wide performance audits to ensure alignment with standards and growth goals.
13. Lead and contribute to new business pitches and client onboarding, ensuring strong foundations for success.
14. Encourage continuous learning and development across teams while pursuing your own personal and professional growth.
15. Stay ahead of cultural, industry, and marketing trends to inform strategic direction and strengthen client partnerships.

WHY WORK AT THE BREAD?

• Work in a creative and friendly environment.
• Be part of a passionate, supportive and collaborative team.
• We offer competitive wellness and leave benefits.
• A positive, can-do attitude will get you far. We value a growth mindset and reward independence, proactivity and a hands-on approach to work.
• Our team gatherings are always a good time too.