Current Vacancies at Publicis Groupe

Overview

• The Business Lead will be responsible for overseeing the strategic management and operational execution of their allocated brands, focusing on content demand and production planning aligned with financial, partner, and client needs. The role requires a forward-thinking approach to risk mitigation and maintaining high levels of satisfaction in the client relationship, unlocking growth opportunities through strong partnership & delivery. 

Responsibilities

CONTENT DEMAND AND PRODUCTION PLANNING: 

• Oversee and manage annual content demand planning and production schedules for allocated client. 
• Collaborate with content teams to ensure production aligns with the brand's strategic goals and market demands. 
• Enhance operational efficiencies to optimize content delivery and capitalize on market opportunities. 

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT: 

• Lead financial management efforts to ensure alignment with the content demand plan. 
• Budget planning and expense management to maximize profitability and meet financial targets. 
• Monitor and report financial performance, making necessary adjustments to address financial challenges. 

BRAND COMMUNICATION: 

• Act as the primary communication channel, cultivating strong relationships with partners and clients. 
• Develop and implement strategies to maintain and enhance partner and client satisfaction. 
• Coordinate with marketing and communication teams to align messaging and promotional strategies. 

STRATEGIC PLANNING AND RISK MITIGATION: 

• Engage in proactive planning to identify potential risks and develop contingency plans. 
• Collaborate across teams to align risk mitigation strategies with business objectives. 
• Stay abreast of industry trends and execute strategies to mitigate risks associated with the competitive landscape. 

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) 

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 

• Achievement of revenue targets incl. gross margin and profitability targets 
• Budget adherence and cost management 
• Financial forecasting accuracy 
• Identification and delivery of cost efficiencies 
• Generation of incremental revenue and growth opportunities 

BRAND & CLIENT MANAGEMENT 

• Client satisfaction and relationship health 
• Client retention and account growth 
• Stakeholder engagement and communication effectiveness 
• Resolution of client issues and escalations 
• Identification and conversion of upsell and cross-sell opportunities 

STRATEGIC PLANNING & RISK MITIGATION 

• Proactive identification and management of business risks 
• Development and implementation of mitigation and contingency plans 
• Delivery of strategic business initiatives 
• Continuous improvement of operational processes 

LEADERSHIP & COLLABORATION 

• Cross-functional collaboration effectiveness 
• Team engagement and performance 
• Governance and process compliance 
• Effective decision-making and issue resolution 
• Contribution to business planning and organisational objectives 
• Development of a high-performance, client-centric culture 

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in client relationship building, content management, financial planning, and brand management 
• 5 years minimum in senior leadership role 
• Strong leadership skills with a strategic mindset and ability to communicate effectively. 
• Excellent analytical skills and financial acumen. 
• Proactive, forward-thinking approach with strong problem-solving capabilities

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Overview

• The Brand Creative Lead is a pivotal role responsible for steering the creative vision of specific brands, ensuring that all creative output aligns with the highest quality standards and brand guidelines. As the brand custodian, you will be the go-to person for maintaining brand integrity across all creative executions and ensuring consistency in visual and messaging outputs. 

Responsibilities

BRAND LEADERSHIP AND VISION: 

• Lead the execution of the creative vision for assigned brand(s), ensuring alignment with overall brand strategy and goals. 
• Serve as the brand guardian, upholding brand guidelines and ensuring all creative work meets brand standards and expectations. 
• Oversee the day-to-day execution of creative work by digital delivery teams, ensuring projects align with client briefs and requirements. 
• Review and approve creative work, providing constructive feedback to ensure the highest quality standards. 

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION: 

• Work closely with clients to understand their vision and expectations, translating them into compelling creative strategies. 
• Partner with account, production, and agency teams to align creative direction with brand and business objectives. 
• Facilitate strong collaboration between internal teams and external partners to ensure cohesive and integrated creative output. 

TEAM LEADERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT: 

• Guide and mentor creative team members, fostering a culture of creativity, excellence, and continuous improvement. 
• Identify opportunities for skills development and growth within the team, ensuring capability and readiness to meet evolving client needs. 

QUALITY ASSURANCE: 

• Implement and uphold quality control processes to ensure consistency and excellence across all creative outputs. 
• Monitor industry trends and competitor activities to keep the brand's creative work innovative and competitive. 

Qualifications

• 10+ years of industry experience, with 5+ years in creative leadership role.  
• Proven experience in a creative leadership role, preferably within a digital or integrated agency environment. 
• Demonstrated knowledge & experience in complete asset mix in design, multimedia, traditional and digital channels 
• Strong portfolio demonstrating creative expertise and a successful track record in brand leadership. 
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects, deadlines, and stakeholder expectations. 
• Future-first mindset with demonstrated capability in use of various AI tools & tech 

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Overview

• The Technical Creative Lead is a pivotal role responsible for steering the creative departments technical delivery expertise, ensuring that all creative output aligns with the highest quality delivery, meeting technical channel standards and brand guidelines. You will be the go-to person for content executions and ensuring consistency in visual and messaging outputs.

Responsibilities

CONTENT EXECUTION  

• Lead the execution of content across multiple channels – digital, social, website, shopper etc. ensuring alignment with overall channel technical requirements. 
• Serve as the content guardian, upholding brand guidelines and ensuring all creative work meets brand standards and expectations. 
• Oversee the day-to-day execution of content by digital delivery teams, ensuring delivery aligns with channel requirements and client briefs. 
• Review and approve creative work delivered at scale, providing constructive feedback to ensure the highest quality standards. 

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION: 

• Work closely with brand creative guardians and cross functional teams to understand the brands vision and expectations, translating them into content at scale delivery. 
• Partner with account, production, and agency teams to align creative direction with brand and business objectives. 
• Facilitate strong collaboration between internal teams and external partners to ensure cohesive and integrated creative output. 

TEAM LEADERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT: 

• Guide and mentor creative team members, fostering a culture of creativity, excellence, and continuous improvement. 
• Identify opportunities for skills development and growth within the team, ensuring capability and readiness to meet evolving channel needs. 

QUALITY ASSURANCE: 

• Implement and uphold quality control processes to ensure consistency and excellence across all creative outputs. 
• Monitor industry trends and advancements, remaining up-to-date on channel innovations and standards for first time right executions.  

Qualifications

• 10+ years of industry experience, with 5+ years in creative leadership role.  
• Proven experience in a creative leadership role, preferably within a digital or integrated agency environment. 
• Demonstrated knowledge & experience in complete creative mix across design, multimedia, traditional and digital channels 
• Strong portfolio demonstrating content delivery expertise and a successful track record in large team leadership. 
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects, deadlines, and stakeholder expectations. 
• Future-first mindset with demonstrated capability in use of various AI tools & tech 

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Overview

Account Manager - CAPE TOWN

• As an Account Manager at MSL, you are on top of all day-to-day initiatives in your portfolio of clients – you know what needs to happen, when it needs to happen, and ensure that it gets done. You are the primary point of contact for clients, and they trust you. With the help of your team (Intern/AA/AE), you ensure reporting is slick and accurate. You own the editorial plans for clients and are involved in strategy development, alongside your SAM/AD/SAD. You own the monthly billing process and will start to get to grips with the concept of profitability for your stream.

Responsibilities

Core capabilities

• Account management: Demonstrate real-time knowledge of all client activities, ensure status documents are accurate and updated, run client status meetings and take ownership for client and agency initiatives.
• Media relations: Drive journalist relationship-building initiatives within the team, across your full client portfolio, display an excellent knowledge of the South African media landscape (and an interest in the broader African media landscape), develop solid media relationships, and oversee the effective running of your team’s entire media relations process.
• Pitching skills: Write and pitch excellent quality, relevant story angles to targeted media and stakeholders, finding creative, newsworthy angles with minimal input from your SAM/AD/SAD.
• Writing: Demonstrate an ability to write effective content for your full client portfolio, and have the ability to effectively brief the content team when specialist help is needed.
• Project management skills: Take responsibility for specific projects from start-to-finish.
• Strategy: Develop, alongside your SAM/AD/SAD, strategic and tactical client programmes, plans and calendars.
• Research: Demonstrate effective research skills, and assimilation and presentation of information.
• Media lists: Ensure your team regularly updates media lists, informs the broader agency of media changes, compiles tailored media lists per client content piece, and ensures that master client media lists are kept updated.
• MSL Newsdesk: Participate in daily newsdesk/media meetings and ensure relevant news and angles are marked and shared with clients.

Sector Experience

• Corporate and Financial Communications Experience
• The ideal candidate will have experience or interest in working across corporate, financial and business-to-business communications portfolios, with exposure to various sectors.

Qualifications

Personal attributes

• Quality: Consistently deliver quality work to professional, MSL standards.
• Detail-orientated: Execute unwavering attention to detail in all aspects, including documents, presentations, emails and all other communiques.
• Proactive upskilling: Constantly work to ensure an excellent understanding of content for all clients (even beyond your portfolio), your client’s industry, staying abreast of the broader news environment and spotting opportunities for media conversation building.
• Proactive learning: Demonstrate use of the Marcel Classes portal and other internal training sessions to upskill yourself, taking initiative and responsibility for your learning journey.
• Taking initiative: Demonstrate consistent self-starter approach.
• Time management: Display impeccable time management skills and help your AA/AE/SAE manage their time and deadlines.
• Profile: Manage and build your own profile within your team and the broader agency.
• Respect: Acknowledge and respond to instructions from senior staff as soon as possible (email, instant message or spoken).

Client services

• Client relations: Demonstrate excellent client relationships and ability to manage their expectations.
• Client meetings: Drive participation in client meetings, managing meeting protocols, agendas, etc.
• Understanding: Demonstrate a detailed, thorough and informed understanding of your clients’ businesses and knowledge of their competitors, for effective idea generation. Demonstrate value to your clients by keeping them abreast of competitor news.
• Reviews: Take responsibility for planning and compilation of client review documents/ presentations/reports, and participate in client review meetings with your team.

Agency operations

• Billing: Accurately review billing arrangements for clients and action monthly billing timeously.
• Timesheets: Demonstrate effective time recording and reporting (daily, accurate data logged on Chase, as per Groupe deadlines).
• Coverage: With Intern/AA/AE, take ownership of daily coverage tracking for reports and timeous client coverage updates.
• Reporting: Ensure quality, timeous monthly reports are delivered, and initiate new reporting ideas and processes where improvements can be made.
• Budget: Start to work with SAM/AD/SAD to understand stream budget and profitability.
• Know the agency and the Publicis Africa Groupe (PGA): Demonstrate familiarity with both MSL and PGA's organisational structures and offerings.

Business development

• Grow your ability to identify opportunities for organic growth of existing business and business retention.
• Grow your ability to draft proposals and improve your pitch preparation skills, in conjunction with your SAM/AD/SAD.

People development 

• Become a role model and mentor for junior staff, and be seen as an ambassador for the company. 
• Conduct appraisals for junior staff. 
• Contribute to, and participate in, personal development activities for junior staff (i.e. coaching, workshop development, etc.). 
• Actively look to maintain and build positive working relationships with colleagues. 
• Assist your fellow AMs with skill development and peer-to-peer mentorship. 

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• Reporting to the Commercial Finance Director, with a dotted line to the Managing Director for the relevant Agency/Business Unit, the Senior Finance Commercial Partner acts as a senior strategic advisor and commercial leader. The role translates the Agency/Business Unit strategic plan into clear commercial priorities, driving revenue growth, improving contribution margin, strengthening forecast discipline and ensuring that commercial decisions support Groupe targets and long-term business performance.
• The role requires senior stakeholder influence and the ability to challenge, guide and align teams across the shared service centre, Agency/Business Unit leadership, regional finance, client services, talent and operations. The Commercial Partner is expected to move beyond reporting and control, actively identifying opportunities, shaping decisions and driving measurable business improvement.
• The Senior Commercial Finance Partner upholds the company’s core values while building a high-performing, commercially focused and accountable finance culture that enables better decision-making and gives the business confidence to move forward.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Senior business partner and strategic commercial advisor
• Commercial growth, profitability and business performance leadership
• Controlling, budgeting, forecasting and internal control functions
• Financial management, operational excellence and transformation
• Finance team leadership, capability building and accountability
• Senior commercial and operational support to the Financial Director for the Communications Practice
• Assist the Financial Director with strategic finance priorities & coordination of key commercial actions across the      Communications Practice

Business Partner

• Partner with the Agency/Business Unit Managing Director to execute business strategies.
• Act as a senior commercial advisor to the Managing Director and leadership team, providing clear, evidence-based recommendations that support growth, margin improvement, investment decisions and operational focus.
• Assist the business with pricing, client contract management, supplier management, resource planning and all other financial and operations issues.
• Support business in negotiations by providing financial information (pricing, cost of resources and teams, targeted profitability); working and dealing directly with clients as and when necessary.
• Assist with RFP’s to protect the company’s interests and help close the deal with all pitches.
• Provide finance training to the Client Services team for job management, client management, and revenue forecasting.
• Work with the business to monitor new business growth pipeline and client health assessment.
• Proactively identify commercial opportunities and risks across clients, scopes, pricing models, resourcing and delivery, ensuring leadership has the insight required to make timely and informed decisions.

Client Reporting

• Catalyst for change – efficiencies, standardization, quality, operational agility and automation. The finance team should be the shining example of that.
• Advises on the business situation, increasing revenue, reducing costs and accelerating cash collection from clients
• Helps to define the most optimal way to deliver services to ensure quality service to clients and profitability for the Groupe: Lead commercial conversations with confidence, influencing senior stakeholders to adopt improved ways of working, stronger financial discipline and decisions that move the business forward.

Budgeting and internal control functions

• Aware of and track risk and advise leadership team on an ongoing basis of status and recommended course of action.
• Budgeting, monthly forecasting and handling of all analyses/comments to be provided to the Agency/Business Unit Leadership team. 
• Monitoring client profitability and working with the business to address any low-margin or non-profitable clients
• Ensuring compliance with the Publicis Groupe operational and financial policies and processes including the use of standard toolsets and methodology, in accordance with the Publicis Corporate Policies  
• Compliance with FMC requirements defined by the Groupe Internal Audit 
• Working with the Job & Revenue Teams in managing the working capital improvement including the reduction of overdue receivables and of WIP, the acceleration of the billing process & the analysis of cash generation.
• Work with the Payroll Finance Team and Talent Team on Employee related matters including approval of hires and contracts.
• Improve forecast accuracy and commercial accountability by embedding clear ownership, disciplined review rhythms and early escalation of material risks and opportunities

Financial Management 

• Organize the Finance function to achieve smooth running of the day-to-day Finance operations providing relevant and effective support to the business teams
• Instituting and/or maintaining sound financial processes and systems to facilitate optimum control and accurate time charging, as well as tracking of all jobs, to improve cash flow; overall, to improve the speed and accuracy of billings, the profitability of time cost-based work, and the rapidity of client payment.
• Accurate and on-time production of monthly management accounts.
• Use financial insight to challenge performance, identify value-creation opportunities and translate complex information into practical actions for leadership and client teams.

Finance Team People management

• Manage the Business Unit Finance Team and ensure clarity of objectives within the team and consistency in ways of working.
• Ensure that all members of the finance team receive appropriate professional and job training and support those taking external professional qualifications.
• Motivates and manages the team to achieve excellent job performance.
• Responsible for completing or supporting others complete the annual performance appraisal within the finance team.
• Ensure that the finance team integrates with other teams in the business.
• Build stronger commercial finance capability within the team by coaching team members to move beyond processing and reporting, with a clear focus on insight, accountability and business impact.

Qualifications

Previous Work Experience

• 10+ years’ experience in a similar position, within a Marketing/Advertising industry.
• Knowledge of Excel, financial systems and business software.
• Understanding of financial modelling, business case development and performance metrics.

Theoretical Knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, or related field (Honours or CIMA/CA(SA) preferred).
• Knowledge of Excel, financial systems and business software.

Competencies

• Financially astute: Proven experience of managing P&Ls. Has been responsible for providing on-going accurate and meaningful financial information, propose business solutions which will allow the Agency Lead and management team to understand the business performance and take the appropriate decision to run the business. 
• Commercial acumen: Demonstrated expertise in executing strategic initiatives that align with business objectives. Possesses a keen ability to assess market trends and opportunities, driving growth and competitive advantage.
• Talent oriented: Has successfully partnered with Divisional HR Head in managing headcounts, personnel costs, supporting HR reporting, restructuring initiatives and leading cross functional transformation.
• Operational Hands on, the person is deeply operational, understanding not only how to build strategies but working with the teams to execute them smoothly.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management: Proven ability to communicate financial insights and strategic recommendations clearly and persuasively to various stakeholders, including senior management, external partners and international matrixed organisation. Skilled at fostering strong relationships and collaboration across departments.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities: Thrives in fast-paced environments, effectively balancing competing demands and deadlines. Exhibits resilience and adaptability, ensuring high-quality outcomes under challenging conditions.
• Strategic leadership and business influence: Operates credibly at a senior level, influences leadership decisions and provides constructive commercial challenge that supports sustainable growth, stronger margins and improved operational performance.
• Growth mindset and value creation: Proactively identifies opportunities to improve revenue, margin, client profitability, pricing discipline and working capital, while balancing commercial ambition with sound financial governance.
• Change leadership and transformation: Leads change with confidence, improves processes, embeds standardised ways of working and uses data, systems and automation to create a more agile and effective finance function.
• Sound judgement: Demonstrates maturity, discretion and confidence when handling complex commercial matters, challenging assumptions and advising senior stakeholders on decisions that affect business performance.
   

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ROLE PURPOSE

• The Marketing Manager is responsible for building the visibility, reputation and consistency of Publicis Groupe Africa and its portfolio of brands, agencies, practices and divisions. The role turns the Groupe’s strategy, capabilities, culture, people and work into clear, compelling marketing that strengthens awareness among clients, talent, industry stakeholders and employees.
• Working closely with CEO and leadership teams across the Groupe, the Marketing Manager will coordinate integrated marketing activity across owned, earned and internal channels, while enabling individual brands to retain their distinct positioning within a coherent Groupe narrative.

Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Groupe and portfolio brand marketing

• Develop and maintain the annual Publicis Groupe Africa marketing plan, aligned to business priorities and the PR and communications strategy.
• Act as a central marketing custodian for the Groupe while supporting the positioning and visibility needs of related brands, agencies, practices and divisions.
• Translate leadership priorities, capabilities, client work, people stories and cultural initiatives into relevant marketing programmes and content.
• Maintain consistent use of brand architecture, messaging, visual identity, tone and key credentials across Groupe-level materials.
• Identify opportunities for cross-brand storytelling that demonstrate connected capabilities without diluting individual brand equity.

Content, channels and campaigns

• Own the integrated content calendar across Publicis Groupe Africa channels, coordinating inputs and approvals from participating brands and teams.
• Plan, brief, create, edit and publish high-quality content for websites, social channels, newsletters, presentations, credentials and internal platforms.
• Oversee channel hygiene, content accuracy and timely website and profile updates.
• Coordinate marketing campaigns that support priority themes such as creativity, media, data, digital transformation, technology, commerce, reputation and influence, content and production.
• Adapt global and regional content for African markets, ensuring local relevance, cultural sensitivity and brand compliance.

PR and thought-leadership enablement

• Partner with the PR team to identify stories, proof points and spokespeople that support the Groupe’s reputation agenda.
• Prepare marketing materials that enable media relations, including backgrounders, biographies, credentials, case-study summaries, visual assets and briefing packs.
• Support thought-leadership programmes, speaking opportunities, industry commentary and executive visibility through research, content development and coordination.
• Maintain an organised library of approved corporate information, leadership profiles, images, boilerplates, case studies and supporting assets.
• Ensure marketing and PR activity is mutually reinforcing, with aligned messaging and efficient approval processes.

Awards fame, events and industry presence

• Drive creative fame. Support the social and PR announcements of award performance in conjunction with CCO.
• Plan and deliver Groupe marketing requirements for conferences, client events, internal showcases, culture moments and employer-brand activity.
• Coordinate sponsorship and partnership deliverables to ensure the Groupe receives the agreed visibility and value.

Stakeholder and network coordination

• Build productive relationships with agency MDs, practice leads (SA, Ghana and Africa network), creative teams, strategy, talent, production, media, finance, legal and other shared services.
• Create clear briefing, review and approval processes that make it easy for brands and divisions to participate in Groupe marketing.
• Run regular marketing planning and status sessions, maintaining an action tracker, content pipeline and forward calendar.
• Support African market teams with adaptable templates, guidance and content while respecting local market needs.
• Source, manage and brief external suppliers where required, including designers, photographers, videographers, event partners and production teams.

Governance, budget and measurement

• Manage approved marketing budgets, purchase requirements and supplier processes in partnership with finance and relevant business owners.
• Ensure content and activity follow agreed legal, confidentiality, client-approval, intellectual-property and brand-governance requirements.
• Establish practical measures for channel growth, content performance, share of voice, event outcomes, stakeholder participation and campaign delivery.
• Provide concise monthly reporting, highlighting progress, outcomes, risks, upcoming moments and decisions required.
• Use performance data and stakeholder feedback to improve the marketing plan and prioritise effort.

Qualifications

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Relevant qualification in marketing, communications, brand management, public relations, journalism or a related discipline.
• Approximately five or more years’ relevant experience in integrated marketing, agency marketing, corporate communications, brand management or a comparable environment.
• Experience operating across multiple brands, business units or stakeholder groups in a matrixed organisation.
• Demonstrated strength in content development, copywriting, editing, social media and campaign coordination.
• Solid project-management experience, including concurrent workstreams, deadlines, budgets, suppliers and approvals.
• Advertising, media, communications, consulting or broader professional-services experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting executive communications, awards, events, employer brand or thought leadership would be advantageous.

Core Capabilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication, with the judgement to adapt tone for executive, client, employee, industry and social audiences.
• Strong brand judgement and an eye for detail, craft, consistency and presentation quality.
• Integrated marketing planning across owned, earned and internal channels.
• Confident stakeholder management, including the ability to influence without direct authority.
• Commercial and organisational awareness, with the ability to connect marketing activity to business priorities.
• Strong briefing, editing, presentation and quality-control skills.
• Practical measurement and reporting, with an ability to turn data into clear recommendations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365, particularly PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Teams and SharePoint, plus working knowledge of Canva / Figma and social publishing or analytics tools.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive, resourceful and comfortable creating structure in a fast-moving environment.
• Collaborative and low-ego, with respect for the distinct identities and expertise across the Groupe.
• Highly organised, dependable and calm under pressure.
• Curious about the industry, African markets, culture, creativity, technology and emerging marketing practices.
• Comfortable moving between strategic planning and hands-on delivery.
• Discreet and trustworthy when handling confidential business, client and people information.
• Positive, solutions-oriented and committed to high standards without losing momentum.

Success Measures

• Quality, consistency and timeliness of Groupe and portfolio marketing outputs.
• Delivery of the agreed marketing calendar, campaigns, events and priority initiatives.
• Growth and engagement across priority owned channels.
• Increased visibility of Groupe capabilities, work, leaders and talent across agreed audiences.
• Participation and satisfaction of agency, practice and market stakeholders.
• Effective budget management, governance and reporting.
• Clear contribution to the reputation, culture, talent and business priorities of Publicis Groupe Africa.