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