Business Unit Director

Job description

The Business Unit Director holds the key account management role within the client service team and is ultimately responsible for servicing the client and managing the health and long-term success of the client-agency relationship. They have overall control and management of all through-the-line campaign activity, as well as strategically and operationally leading the team in campaign development, day-to-day activities and interaction with clients.


The BUD provides strategic input on campaigns and day-to-day work, driving internal planning as well as external client / stakeholder strategic brand direction via demonstration of clear understanding of client’s strategic requirements, and effective communication thereof to all agency team members.


Responsibilities


1. Client Relationship Management

• Build lasting, trusting relationships with both junior and senior clients alike

• Demonstrate clear understanding of client’s strategic business requirements

• Drive internal planning and external client / stakeholder strategic brand direction

• Strong problem-solving ability along with experience of knowing when to escalate potential risks and/or solutions to senior clients and agency colleagues when needed

• Maintain strong control of the rollout of client projects

• Build credibility with client, embodying the agency’s profile and commitment to excellence

• Proactively escalate issues to the Client when needed, thereby preventing project milestones being missed, or budgets being negatively impacted

• Actively seek new opportunities for client business growth and delivering business solutions to client

• Ownership of client work scopes

2. Project Management

• Provide strategic input and frameworks for all campaigns and day-to-day work to Ensure timeous and accurate execution of briefs and projects against agreed timelines, milestones of development and execution plan

• Execute integrated campaigns in partnership with multiple agency stakeholders, ensuring campaigns work across all touchpoints

• Lead agency collaboration with Production and Traffic Departments to ensure expediency and efficiencies with regards to timing, quality of output, and minimization of pressure and wastage

• Implement, monitor and manage the workflow process as tasked, escalating to the Client where necessary

• Proactive management of all project timelines

• Hands-on project management and leadership of key strategic campaign development, or whenever needed

• Above average attention to detail and strong risk mitigation skills are critical success factors and requirements for this role

• Ensure complete delivery, on time, for all projects

• Always monitor the required output standards by personally ensuring all work is on brief and to the desired quality of level prior to client submission

• Assist with optimisation of internal resource allocation and utilisation

• Solid writing, communication and presentation skills

• Understand the agency’s structure, processes and procedures and actively contribute towards the improvement thereof to ensure output excellence

3. Financial Management

• Strong financial tracking and fiscal management skills

• Oversee project profitability, ensuring client service team identify, escalate and manage opportunities for cost optimization

• Maintain efficiencies, economies of scale & resource optimisation, ensuring jobs are delivered according to the allocated budget

• Management of client retainer recons to ensure accurate time tracking against budgets

• Weekly management, updating and tracking of finances (CE's, PO's, Billings) and reporting to ensure optimal financial control

• Coordinating retainer data with input from 99c Operations for approval by Exco and presentation and negotiation with client

• Handle all periodic recons of hours and presentations of the recons to Client

• Oversee and efficiently manage account resource allocations versus agreed retainers, Negotiate freelancer fees with Client should additional resource capacity be required

• Move, reallocate or rescheduling of projects to ensure smooth and efficient delivery of high-quality work to client when required, to reduce pressure on agency resources

4. Team Leadership

• Mentor and lead team while driving their successful output of project execution

• Maintain excellent intercompany and interdepartmental communication and knowledge transfer

• Assist the client service team, and the agency in general, in identifying and utilizing opportunities for optimization and harmonisation / integration of the various agency departments, partner agencies, and partners

• Ensure provision and oversight of Reports from Client Service Director and other team members. 

5. Strategic Ability

• Analysis and input into media plans and schedules, evaluating and assisting with strategic media decisions whenever necessary

• Actively seek relevant research and insights to contribute to creative and strategic development

6. Individual and Team Development

• Actively pursue opportunities to learn and grow within the portfolio

• Live shared values and core behaviours of the agency

• Act as a role model for both the account management team, as well as the broader agency, always embodying the agency’s values

• Motivate, inspire, mentor and lead the client service team by active engagement and support

• Support knowledge transfer, knowledge sharing, and upskilling through relevant & appropriate learning / teaching channels

• Strive to learn and grow, pro-actively seek opportunities and become involved in projects outside of allocated tasks

KPIs:


I. Client Relationship Management:

• Develop and maintain long-lasting, trusting relationships with both junior and senior clients.

• Proactively identify new business growth opportunities with existing clients.

• Escalate issues promptly to ensure project timelines and budgets are not negatively impacted.

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II. Campaign and Project Management:

• Oversee all campaign development and execution, ensuring timely delivery on all project milestones.

• Ensure all work aligns with client briefs and desired quality levels before submission.

• Proactively manage timelines and resource allocations to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in delivery.

III. Financial Management and Profitability:

• Ensure all client projects are managed within allocated budgets, optimising cost-efficiency.

• Track and report on finances, including CE’s, PO’s, and billings, ensuring accurate time tracking against budgets.

• Negotiate additional resource requirements (e.g., freelancers) and manage cost optimization strategies.

IV. Team Leadership and Development:

• Mentor and lead the client service team, ensuring successful project execution and team development.

• Foster interdepartmental collaboration, knowledge transfer, and integration to optimize client service.

• Lead by example, motivating the team and embodying the agency’s values.

V. Strategic Direction and Input:

• Provide strategic input into media plans, creative development, and campaign strategy.

• Continuously seek relevant insights to inform and enhance strategic decision-making.

• Lead the client-agency collaboration in ensuring the campaigns meet the strategic brand direction

VI. Quality and  Risk Management:

• Maintain a high standard of output by overseeing the work and ensuring quality control.

• Identify risks and proactively implement mitigation strategies to avoid project delays or cost overruns to ensure all campaign components are executed on-time, on-budget, and to the required standard.

VII. Client Retainer Management and Reporting:

• Oversee the management and reconciliation of client retainers, ensuring accurate and timely reporting.

• Coordinate financial data with internal operations to ensure effective management of retainers.

• Handle all periodic reconciliations and present reports to clients in a clear, professional manner.

VIII. Business Development and Account Growth:

• Lead efforts to expand existing client relationships and identify opportunities for new business.

• Actively support new business pitches, including strategy formulation and operational guidance.

• Monitor and drive account growth through proactive strategies and regular client check-ins.

IX. Resource Optimisation and Process Improvement:

• Ensure optimal use of internal resources to prevent project delays and maintain quality output.

• Suggest and implement process improvements for better workflow, communication, and project delivery.

• Monitor and adjust workflows and resources as necessary to meet client needs and deadlines.

X. Personal and Team Development:

• Actively seek professional growth opportunities, both for yourself and your team.

• Share knowledge, upskill team members, and encourage a culture of continuous learning.

• Lead by example, supporting the team’s growth, fostering collaboration, and driving a positive work environment.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Relevant industry qualification (i.e. Advertising / Marketing / Business Management)

• Minimum 10 years' advertising agency experience

• Minimum 5 years' experience in Group Account Director role with a blue-chip brand

• Experience in Retail is preferable.

• Extensive experience of managing CE’s; PO’s; billings; and retainers

• Prior experience of working with traditional and digital media plans and strategies

• Excellent command of the English language (both written and verbal)

• Excellent command of Microsoft O365 suite, including MS Word; MS PowerPoint; and MS Excel

• Passionate about the advertising and communications industry

• Have the ability to work on integrated omni-channel platforms.

• Proven ability to multi-task while staying cool and calm

• Diligent, accurate and strong communication skills

• A team player who loves a challenge, leads by example and takes initiative, never relinquishing ownership of the outcome

• Reliable; solutions-driven mindset; and industrious

• Highly organised; strong attention to detail; systematic way of working

• Acute sense of responsibility and accountability

• Self-motivated; self-disciplined; self-starter and efficient

• Works independently and collaboratively with key teammates

• Curious and hungry to learn and grow - always willing to try something new and proactively seek new solutions

• Thrive in an ever-changing environment

• A keen eye for detail and a drive for perfection

• The ability to remain calm under pressure

• Deadline awareness and ability to handle all kinds of pressure

• Fearless when it comes to accountability – owning personal and team errors and fixing them to come back stronger

• Genuine passion for clients and client service, motivated by a desire to add value to your clients’ business

• Be willing to get your hands dirty.

• A sense of humour and ability to celebrate the small stuff

Posted on 02 Oct 09:59, Closing date 31 Oct