Business Director

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 the intersection of our skills across Ogilvy South Africa.

All disciplines work together in our bright, open-plan office, with a friendly culture and creatively permissive environment. We cherish our entrepreneurial spirit and embrace the opportunity to rethink marketing and communications while challenging the status quo.

We are looking for a:

Business Unit Director

An individual who possesses a strong strategic business understanding and client service background to nurture and develop some of the most loved and established South African brands.

Responsibilities

Include but not limited to:

1. CLIENT

Lead your clients portfolio, along with supervision and management of the accounts team, ensuring a constructive and creative operating environment.

Represent the point of view of the agency with integrity and resolve.

Elevate the clients perception of the agency from an advertising supplier to a valued business partner, within the context of the total marketing mix, not just advertising.

You build strong and enduring relationships with clients. You also have a deep understanding of the clients business and of the key broader factors and trends shaping their markets and categories.

You have a strong understanding of the OSA offering and are able to drive growth within this share of client, across the OSA group.

Your deep strategic understanding of the client context, competitor context, media landscape and consumers allows you to guide both the client and agency in defining projects that lead to IMPACTful growth for your client portfolio.

2. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Ensuring that the total communications budget is deployed across what is agreed to be the best mix of communication disciplines to deliver the best business solution.

Contributing to the good financial management of the business, improving profitability and contribution margin.

Annual budgeting and preparation of the business plan in conjunction with the Ogilvy

Cape Town leadership team. Delivery of business plan during the fiscal year.

Full ownership of the client engagement strategy and plan

Development and deploying the Growth Plan for the client annually

Ability to actively hunt and bring in Out of Scope projects and revenue

3. PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

Ensure staffing levels match the need of the client.

Review, interrogate and validate deliverables across the board to maintain a high standard of work, spot potential issues and ensure that the information provided is contextualized and clear enough for all stakeholders.

Conduct annual performance appraisals

In liaison with various department heads ensure the team is adequately skilled and trained to deliver ahead of client expectations.

4. STRATEGIC & CREATIVE SOLUTION

Understanding and implementing Brand Stewardship both as a philosophy and a process.

Ensure all agency briefings will yield relevant and original solutions efficiently.

Develop a strong partnership with the Creative Partner on each account based on a shared commitment to effective modern marketing solutions.

Facilitate first-time selling and timeous execution of creative and media solutions.

An effective and sought out lead agency partner, able to bring together specialist and competing agencies where relevant to ensure seamless execution

5. AGENCY CULTURE

Embody and practice the values and behaviours of Ogilvy

Understands how best to present the agencies work in a client forum to the best effect.

Keep all relevant teams and Heads informed on client/account issues.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate for the role would have the following background:

Min 8 years experience in an account servicing role

Min 2 years as a Senior Leader / Business Director

Exposure to a social & digital environment

Previous experience on Retail & Brand

A minimum of 3 years managing and leading a team

An understanding of all touchpoints within the communications digital landscape specifically on the content and creative side with social first e-commerce a bonus

Strong ability to control the financials and budgets

About you

Comfortable in growing senior client relationships and business.

Self-motivated with a high energy level, and an enthusiastic team-player

Flexible and open to work in an agile and fast paced environment

Self-reliant and accountable you should be able to take strategic control of all accounts within your portfolio.

Skilful project management