Job description

One of South Africa’s most successful communications group is looking for an MD to manage their PR division.

Purpose of the role is to manage the existing portfolio of clients through the client service and creative teams through the strategic and tactical direction. Drive adherence to a strategy with both the agency and the client.

Day To day

• Manage the delivery and set income targets for one or a group of clients
• Explore and recommend new cost effective/innovative methods to deliver campaigns
• Overall delivery of client briefs through active team management and distribution of workload
• Manage all day-to-day activities relating to the client account
• Understand the role of communication within the broader business context to aid the development of the agency’s relationship with the client from advertising supplier to marketing communication partner and Brand Leader
• Ensure a thorough understanding of the production processes and costs in order to maximize agency profitability and client budgets
• Deliver business initiatives that enhance the development of skills, knowledge and good practice in the company
• Implement change within the business to achieve operational excellence
• Explore and secure opportunities for organic growth and cross-selling
• Assist with New Business activities e.g. Project Management of a pitch
• Ensure clear understanding of the client’s business requirements and to translate this into clear deliverables for your team
• Foster good relationships across the agency departments.
• Lead and drive integration between various agencies working on the Client’s account
• Adhere to company guidelines, such as timely completion of Company Goals, timesheets, accurate revenue forecasts and achieving ultimate utilization of budgets and targets
• Ensure understanding of the relevant client contract and relevant legal/regulatory guidelines
• To actively network within the industry to identify and create potential leads, contacts, opportunities for the company
• In conjunction with the CEO and other department heads ensure a sound and meaningful relationship with the client
• Contributions to Agency publications
• Continuously provide input into the strategic direction of each client account and ensure communication of any directional changes to your team and to the creative teams
• Seek opportunities to develop more business opportunities for your client, utilizing additional services whenever possible
• Routinely review client account with management to assess business potential and profitability of account relationships
• Ensure that neither the agency nor the client veer off the strategy
• Build the strength of the business relationship through delivery of value-added services
• Debate and agree final creative work with direct reports, Creative Director as well as lead the client creative presentation process
• Ensure a balance between maximizing profit on an account, presenting the agency in the best possible light and developing and executing the best possible work
• Ensure invoicing and financial administration of the highest standards to guarantee timeous collection of income and collection of fees for the agency
• Provide weekly reports to your relevant stakeholders
• Drive the ethics of cost control and income growth all the way through your team
• Oversee the management of the income for all Client accounts
• Manage and control Client and project profitability
• Raise the profile of the Department and foster good relationships across all divisions in the Company
• Work in partnership with the creative teams to provide excellent creative solution for your client’s needs at all time
• Work with all departments to improve efficiencies and delivery on all accounts
• Manage the performance of your team to continuously achieve or better income targets
• Allocate resources within your team to maximize skill set and client coverage
• Coach and mentor individuals to develop the skills and talent that exist within the agency
• Create clear Company Grow Goals for your team and yourself in line with business and individual needs
• Build respect and loyal commitment of Account team
• Ensure thorough knowledge of HR processes
• Support the pro-active recruitment and development of the best account teams within the company
• Recommend salary levels in accordance with individual performance and market rates
• Adhere to and ensure adherence to company performance and behaviour expectations, e.g. timekeeping, timeous completion of timesheets, Company Policies and Procedures etc.

If you have not heard from us in seven working days, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Requirements

• Three to four years’ advertising/media qualification
• Minimum of fifteen years’ experience
• The ability to write comprehensive and insightful briefs
• A sound knowledge of the relevant structures and processes in the agency
• Excellent computer skills
• Confident communication skills
• Computer literacy: All Microsoft products, example:
• MS Word
• MS Excel
• MS PowerPoint
• MS Outlook
• Chase

Posted on 04 Dec 14:30