Associate Business Director – Communications Consultancy

Company Description

MSL is the most powerful influence engine for brands, companies and leaders. The agency is an award-winning global public relations firm focused on building influence to deliver meaningful impact on business and the world. With 2,000 talented team members in more than 100 cities across the world and a legacy spanning more than 50 years, we are a global collective of modern communicators who are building the brands and leaders of tomorrow. We are strategists, storytellers and creators. Our business is making our clients more influential. And our passion is reimagining what PR can accomplish. Our holistic approach brings to life the collaborative ‘Power of One’ principle we apply within and outside of the Publicis Groupe. From London to Shanghai, Mumbai to Sao Paulo, Johannesburg to Warsaw, Berlin to Bangkok, New York to Paris, we are MSL. For more information, please visit mslgroup.com.

Job Description

The Associate Director role is responsible for both building client relationships and managing a team, while collaborating with senior leadership (Business Lead / CEO), other agency departments (creative, strategy, production) and other potential partners from Publicis Group (media, Vertical, epsilon, sapient)

This candidate will lead the strategic, operational and delivery aspects of major accounts and own relationships with MSL client(s).

They will work closely with the Business Lead of your account(s) and ultimately ensuring high levels of client satisfaction and revenue growth across your assigned client portfolio.

The Business Director will take responsibility & accountability for the growth of their team and client business, identifying and developing opportunities to drive new business proposals involving the group capabilities.

Foster the agency’s beliefs and spirit externally-internally, as well as develop and drive vision for the business, aiming to bring in more business and drive the Power of One development and implementation.

As part of their day-to-day office leadership team, the candidate will work to inspire, mentor, and guide the career development of your team members

Technical & Product

• Lead client conversations and work closely with Business Lead(s) to ensure excellence in strategy, creative and production
• Oversee strategy, planning, creative execution, production for all assigned client-account(s): Responsible for winning client commitment to the agency and Group’s direction, strategy, recommendations, and subsequent execution, translating business needs to creative challenges and ensuring a timely delivery milestone.
• Perceived as a trusted advisor by your own clients and as an expert in speciJc industry, internally and in the market, by demonstrating deep understanding and knowledge of category
• Be able to do the correct scope, the needed resources and deliver accordingly to financial targets for the current year

Business Acumen & Operational Efficiency

• Responsible of all outcomes, quality control and the health of the relationship with the client across all disciplines, practices, facets of the business internal and external
• Build strong client relationships to understand the needs and requirements to proactively support the day-to-day delivery of projects
• Responsible for driving cross client’s collaboration to drive both business growth as well as strategic alliances cross industries.
• Set the yearly strategic roadmap with the client on business transformation by becoming the trusted consultant and authority on the client’s consumer journey

Innovative & Analytical Mindset

• Able to think strategically, creatively, and analytically to challenge the clients’ partners and propose innovative solutions to briefs
• Own the clients and partners’ relationships as a trusted advisor
• Able to predict emerging market trends in specific category and quickly grasp trends and dynamics of other categories to create new business opportunities
• Adopt an always-on innovation mindset, with a hunger for delivering competitive advantage for your client and cascade it to your team and key partners (strategy/creative)
• Identify growth opportunities and solutions within the assigned clients for Publicis group’s vertical or services

People & Leadership

• Takes initiative to challenge an established point of view with respect and openness.
• Able to use storytelling to connect with internal and external stakeholders in a compelling manner to influence and inspire.
• Able to handle complex issues and make decisions even when missing information.
• Capable of proactively developing meaningful relationships with key decision makers.
• Accepts responsibility for client problems, manages conflict and actively works to solve issues internally and externally.
• Able to build succession plans and grow and mentor future talent.
• Able to provide constructive feedback to others in a timely manner.

Qualifications

• 10-12 years experience with a track record in brand, digital, social and data-driven marketing projects in a communication, media or marketing industry
• Experience in being client facing in a leading role
• Management experience of 5-8 subordinates
• Excellent understanding of end-to-end communication eco-system, with a deep understanding of digital, data usages and technology
• Experience in planning, strategy, managing and activating multichannel campaigns.
• BA degree (or similar)

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