Job Description

Company Description

About Machine_

Machine_ is a creative solutions agency represented across Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, and is home to over 75 adventurous minds. At Machine_ we don't believe that intuition and gut feel are enough. That's why everything we do starts with an insight. Our team of experts uses these insights to create impactful and accountable solutions that touch consumers at every point in their connected world.

Machine_ is part of Publicis Groupe, one of the fastest-growing global networks.

Machine's mantra, Never Afraid, underpins our values of; doing the right thing, being curious, solution orientated and at its core 'giving a s**t!'. Living this mantra daily helps grow our Clients' businesses and these are the values we look for when recruiting new talent. The right personality is just as important as the right experience. We're here to work hard and have fun while doing it.



Scope of the role

The Account Director is one of the highest points of contact for the Client. They will need to drive insightful communications strategies, content and creative. We're looking for someone who is proactive on the Clients business, overseeing the activation of effective communication campaigns cost effectively and timeously. As an Account Director, you will develop strong senior client relationships and be committed to driving their business forward through innovative work that inspires and motivates consumers.

You will oversee the activities of AM /AE's in all areas of the account and ensures quality creative and strategy. Develops skills base within the immediate team and builds strong and enduring client-agency working relationships.

Being the Account Director means that you are primed for growth and are being trained and supported to step into senior leadership in future tooled with experience and confidence. This role requires you to have the ability to lead and positively influence your juniors and colleagues within the agency. You will be a trusted partner of the senior leadership team and we see you as someone who is solution orientated and approaches every situation with maturity.

Responsibilities (include but are not limited to):

• Responsible for compilation and driving of engagement plan and presentation to leadership
• Strategically lead your portfolio of accounts and build strong, long lasting relationships
• Ability to offer sound recommendations and add real value that positively influences the business
• Identify and maximise new business growth in collaboration with the client
• Be the xe2x80x9cgo toxe2x80x9d person on their (client) brand across all communication disciplines
• Collaborate with and act as a team player with the staff compliment
• Mentor, grow and act as a layer of support to your direct reports (Account Manager & BTA) as well as the broader Client Service team
• Work in and open and honest way with your line manager ensuring that issues are raised quickly
• Show value by identifying potential business opportunities for both the Agency, Groupe as well as Client
• Play an active role in working on new business pitches as and when required
• Nurture and grow your Account Manager from the start; support them in the operational and client relationship success of their day to day work
• Grow strong partnerships with the various allocated discipline individuals to ensure they are able to deliver work that generates measurable business results for the clients
• Support and maintain the host agencies culture across your team
• Work with your Account Managers, Account Directors and BUD to help shift your clients relationships from pure execution to become more consultative partners who add real value
• Proactively contribute to the on-going vision of the agency, leading by example and driving an innovative spirit within the team
• Respect the operational processes at all times
• Responsible for client and employee reviews with the aim to improve scores year on year
• Ensure campaigns are fully integrated and deliver on brief requirements
• Take ownership of your accounts finances and ensure CE's and billings are completed on time as outlined by the Finance team
• Keep abreast of market developments, trends and innovation in order to identify potential opportunities for the agency and your clients (maintain industry best practice)
• Ability to scope projects from a resourcing and timing POV
• Leads the identification of proactive opportunities with future financial reward
• Project forecasting and budget management / oversight
• Responsible for the client profitability and all the finance requirements of an account, including and not limited to: input into forecasts, owning the billings and tracking thereof, recons, retainer scopes, out of project scopes and cost estimates.
• Comfortable to work from the Publicis Groupe office (on-site) and at the clients offices.

Qualifications

Qualification / Experience / Skills:

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Business Management / Marketing / Communication / Advertising
• Proficient in MS Office (i.e. Word / Excel / PowerPoint)
• Minimum 6 year's working experience in an Advertising Agency in Client Service with 1 year being an Account Director
• Proven experience in strategically leading client accounts
• Successfully identifying and driving new business opportunities
• TTL & Digital experience is essential
• A good command of the English language (both verbal and written)
• Excellent administration and organizational skills
• Strong time management skills
• Strong multi-tasking skills (ability to work on multiple briefs at any given time)
• Strong leadership skills
• Social media savvy
• Solid understanding of the brands you work on from a brand and in market POV

Additional Information

Personality Attributes:

• Team player with the ability to work independently
• Able to remain calm in a highly pressurized environment
• Assertive
• Proactive
• Resilient
• Approachable
• Proactive
• Energetic
• Creative xe2x80x9cout of the boxxe2x80x9d strategic thinker
• Problem solver / solution driven
• Meticulous with attention to detail
• Other:

o Flexible to work beyond normal office hours (overtime if and when required)
o Comfortable to work from the Publicis Groupe office (on-site)

Publicis Groupe