EssenceMediacom Business Director

We are EssenceMediacom
A truly global network with 120 offices and over 10,000 people operating in 96 markets, we are a new type of agency that creates breakthroughs for brands. We discover the breakthroughs that brands need to win; the discoveries, experiences, invention, integration and impact that will make a difference to their business. We are built to keep pace with change, built on data and technology, built for people and algorithms, built around diverse capability, built to test and learn at scale and, crucially, built to evolve.

Purpose of the role

Reporting to the Head of Client Leadership (HoCL), the Business Director (BD) takes ultimate responsibility for the agency's relationship and performance with a portfolio of designated client accounts.

They ensure that all strategic and implementation recommendations deliver growth to our clients' businesses, whilst driving growth for EssenceMediacom at the same time. To do this, they will develop and deepen EssenceMediacom's relationship with its clients, command a thorough understanding of the breadth and depth of the agency's product offering, lead and manage a team of people to deliver ongoing high performance in our client relationships, and effectively collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate and optimise the entire process. Put simply, the BD operates as the key connection point between EssenceMediacom and the clients in their remit.

Your responsibilities

We expect you to play a direct role in creating the breakthrough culture we want to build at EssenceMediacom, which will be demonstrated in the following areas of the business.

People
• Ensures the team understands the expectations of their role as per their job description
• Inspires and motivates the team to deliver, through regular constructive feedback
• Ensures team fully understands client Scopes of Work (SOW) and performance is optimised to them, to deliver effective capacity/workflow management and profitability
• Manages and coaches direct reports and creates professional development plans for them. All have KPIs and clear goals
• Hold direct reports accountable for their own teams performance
• Ensures all training is delivered as relevant for the team to help with their ongoing development
• Ensures team have the thinking space and time required to deliver tasks to a high standard through the effective management of external stakeholders - i.e. pushes back as needed
• Enforces core EssenceMediacom product philosophy and process, in conjunction with Head of Strategic Planning (HoSP)
• Regularly shares knowledge about client business with team members, as relevant

Partners
• Builds deep and influential senior client relationships, facilitating a highly valued EssenceMediacom relationship beyond transactional
• Develops a strong understanding of clients' businesses - their big picture ambitions and challenges and delivers solutions for them
• Provides clients with a well-informed POV at all times (across category, media and marketing etc)
• Delivers optimal servicing to clients, ensuring they feel well-resourced and receiving value in return for their agency investment
• Identifies, leverages and deploys EssenceMediacom/GroupM/WPP resources, either locally or globally that can enhance our offering to clients
• Develops strong and influential relationships with counterparts (and other relevant senior people) at partner agencies
• Works effectively with overseas EssenceMediacom/GroupM teams as required for set portfolio

Product
• Develops a thorough understanding of the EssenceMediacom strategic planning philosophy and process framework, and ensures that the team follows it as relevant to deliver the required client output
• Oversees and supports the development and delivery of annual strategic account plans for clients, outlining areas of progression in work quality, process, collaboration and commercial return
• Provides client(s) with thought leadership relevant to their business throughout the year, in conjunction with senior EssenceMediacom stakeholders
• Oversees, and where relevant personally develops and presents key strategic projects to clients
• Ensures quality and timely work output across the set client portfolio, to specifically meet clients' business requirements as relevant
• Oversees the delivery of contractual KPIs to ensure they are met (where applicable)
• Continually explores and deploys improvement to the innovation and efficiency of the workflow; inputs, outputs and everything in between

Profit
• Works with the Managing Director on client contract negotiations, and manages the delivery of key expectations of agreed contracts
• Ensures EssenceMediacom delivers the right resources to clients via the development and enforcement of scopes of work and resource plans (signed off by Managing Director and the client)
• Runs the client leadership team like a small business - ie takes responsibility for revenue forecasting and profitability management
• Ensures remunerated KPIs are met to contract (where applicable) for clients
• Manages and updates accurate revenue forecast throughout the year - sharing relevant information with Managing Director in regular revenue forecast meetings
• Spots incremental and organic new commercial opportunities for EssenceMediacom across the client portfolio (based on client business needs)
• Responsible for ensuring that clients pay all outstanding debts in accordance with agreed payment terms, assisting in resolving any specific disputes that arise
• Contributes to new business projects

Knowledge & skillset requirements
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent
• Extensive knowledge of the NZ media market, and a healthy interest in major Global markets
• Extensive people leadership and management experience
• Strong track record of proactive and progressive client leadership experience
• Significant knowledge of the digital environment and the changing communications landscape
• Strong commercial acumen, proven track record of delivering strong fiscal outcomes

Why work for EssenceMediacom?

• Work in a very diverse and multicultural team
• WFH flexibility
• Life, trauma, and income protection insurance

We'll let you know about the latest career opportunities from around the network as soon as they're posted.