Business Partner at Ogilvy South Africa

• We're seeking a seasoned Business Partner to serve as a trusted advisor to our clients, providing exceptional client support with a focus on driving growth within existing accounts and making strategically sound recommendations that align with the client's business objectives.
• Reporting into the Head of Account Management, the Business Partner will lead the day-to-day operational and communication needs for existing accounts across a wide array of different verticals, encompassing both performance and brand-building accounts.
• The Business Partner will support business growth strategies and take responsibility for delivering exceptional service to our clients and grow our reputation for strategic thinking, quality of work, and perception as a trusted partner.
• In this role, you will be responsible for developing a strong business pipeline and building our brand. As a key member of the business development management team, you will provide overall leadership to achieve sustainable and profitable growth as well as working across organizational boundaries to assist other businesses and functional leaders where possible.
• You will work with Managing Partners and Management Team to lead, manage attainment of all contractual performance requirements, customer satisfaction, and achievement of all cost, schedule, and quality objectives, through leadership and collaboration with local market line managers and business development management team. The position level is key in developing strong business pipeline and building our brand within the connected community's arena in line with our growth and business development efforts.

Here's what you'll bring to the table:

For this role we are looking for a Business Partner. Must have 15+ years' experience within Advertising, Communication, Business or related field. 8+ years of agency advertising experience.

• An ideal candidate has project implementations experience, strategic and consulting initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to strategically advise and drive account revenue.
• Success at building and maintaining senior-level relationships, and work cross-functionally with internal and external teams.
• Strong communication skills - ability to command a room and tell a compelling story, persuade, and negotiate.
• Ability to thrive in a constantly changing, fast-paced, highly collaborative environment.
• Proven ability to partner and build constructive relationships with key customers, and shape and capture business opportunities.

To complement the above, well also be looking for:

Functional Knowledge.

• Demonstrates broad and comprehensive understanding of different practices as well as the changing business environment.

Business Expertise.

• Applies in-depth knowledge of own segment/function, business and commercial expertise to differentiate itself from the competition.

Leadership.

• Leads generally through multiple levels of managers of diverse activities, develops and executes strategy to achieve key business objectives.

Problem Solving.

• Evaluates key business challenges, directs the development of new or innovative solutions.

Impact.

• Guided by company strategy and business objectives, impacts results of segment/function.

Interpersonal Skills.

• Influences and negotiates at the top executive levels, with great latitude on outcomes, presents and defends complicated or delicate issues

Here's what you'll be doing to lead Agency and Client growth.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

The list of tasks or duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive, candidates may be expected to carry out additional duties or responsibilities, which fall reasonably within the ambit of the job description, or in accordance with operational requirements.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to our clients, operate as the day-to-day lead for brand and agency partners to resolve issues, provide status and ensure peak campaign performance while maintaining excellent client service.
• Collaborate with functional departments and co-develop plans, while identifying areas of opportunity and leading strategic client conversations.
• Drive long-term portfolio growth by building multi-year account plans.
• Consistently identify needs that clients may not recognize and ensure that solutions are linked to objectives and demonstrable results that meet or transform the client's business and needs.
• Continually increase knowledge of the client's business (and industry trends) often serving as the clients first line consultant.
• Expand contacts with key client executives and maintain strong relationships that produce new opportunity pipelines.
• Act as an escalation point to remove barriers for the delivery team to ensure work is delivered on budget and ensure clients billings are according to the contracted terms in a timely and accurate manner.
• Work across multiple agency departments, i.e., strategy, brand content and innovation teams, to deliver successful campaigns.
• Other duties may be assigned as needed

You'll also be required to advance the following:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills across all platforms.
• Expert organizational skills, great attention to detail and ability Q/A work.
• Ability to implement and meet deadlines and project manage multiple campaigns.
• Excellent client relationship and management skills.
• Proven problem-solving skills and ability to think outside of the box for solutions.
• Detail oriented and responsive, deadline-driven with strong quantitative reasoning skills.
• Strong business acumen and strategic thinking capability.

Additional skills:

• You have dexterity in creating reports and presentations using Excel, PowerPoint, Keynote, etc.
• Demonstrates strong attention to detail.
• A team player, smart, adapt well with change and have a positive attitude.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, exciting environment and across external and internal teams to deliver creative, fresh campaigns.