Job Vacancies at Ogilvy South Africa

An Account Director should be an experienced, broadly capable project and account manager who handles a wide range of assignments, projects and/or clients with a high degree of success and independence. She/he has strong client relationships and is considered a potential company leader.

He/she is a senior contact for clients within the agency while managing and overseeing a team (including the Newsroom team) to ensure delivery and service level agreements are met.

As a senior member of the business, he/she delivers on new business and grows existing accounts organically.

Concept

• An Account Director has demonstrated high-level professional knowledge and skills. She/he is able to manage large accounts or a few smaller ones, with little top cover from her/his Business Director, Director and/or Managing Director, as well as the staff assigned to the business.
• She/he should have strong project management, strategic understanding, budgeting, counselling, programme, people management and business development skills with increased emphasis and demonstrated success in building business and people. She/he has the confidence and support of client contacts and strong relationships with the client organisation.
• An Account Director demonstrates the ability and wherewithal to deliver on our vision, performance requirements and growth projections. An Account Director has strong relationships with and the confidence of the client and can lead and direct PR campaigns and programmes that are strategically aligned.

Account management

• Status reports to be developed and e-mailed to 24 hours prior to a status meeting
• Contact reports to be prepared, and issued within 24 hours of a status or client meeting
• Coverage reports analysis to be completed by 7th of every month
• Competitive analysis to be completed as and when
• Issuing press releases before 10am daily in collaboration with the media specialist team
• Billing invoices and PO numbers to be sourced by 23rd of every month
• Distribution of client invoices and statements to be delivered by 10th of every month
• Management of task lists and adhering to client and media deadlines together with team
• Manages times effectively and ensures each client is receiving its months allocation of time hours
• Meets billability targets established for the position
• Makes accurate adjustments on client revenue by 25th of each month
• Manages the account executive team and drives performance
• Understands and implements the clients strategic objectives detailed in the communications strategy
• Quality controls all content
• Provides relevant and strategic advice and counsel to client when required
• Extremely proficient on Workbook within 2 months of joining Ogilvy PR
• One on one team sessions to be held by 7th of every month
• Monthly session to be held 28th of every month with business director to discuss clients
• Quarterly client health reports to be completed by 7th of the month of the scheduled board meeting
• Completing your own timesheets and approving completed timesheets from your team daily
• Attending and providing updates during Daily Scrum sessions with team held at 9am each day
• Driving organic growth and upselling to present clients

Client relationship management

• Key daily contact for client
• Develops strategically aligned content plans and proposal for the client
• Achieves exceptional outcomes for current clients while managing an extended portfolio
• Offers crises communications counsel in partnership with the Director of Newsroom
• Oversees provision of account resources and ensure integration across all Ogilvy business units
• Implements client relationship programme designed by client service team
• Checks and QCs content before it reaches client
• Provides high level insights and data analysis into reports for clients
• Assist and alert client to any potential crisis or negative publicity within 2 hours of the news breaking
• Champions the agency's brand and values

Media engagement

• Ensures media lists are kept up to date by informing media specialist team by 10th of every month of any new additions
• Develop and maintains senior level media contacts including industry spokespeople, and sector influencers
• Establish at least two new media contacts per month by 30th of every month
• Setup one media one on one per month by 15th of every month
• Drafting media motivations 24 hours prior to distribution
• Pitches and positions interviews and places coverage when required
• Drafts newsworthy and relevant pitch motivations for media

Social media, digital and influencer engagement

• Understands social and digital media landscape and keeps abreast of social media and digital trends
• Understands influencer marketing and is able to include ideas in proposals and plans
• Understands social media content, content and channel best practices
• Is able to advise client at an intermediate to advanced level on these platforms and content

New business development

• Partakes in new business pitches
• Development of new business proposals
• Research
• Input and creative ideas for new business pitches
• Attends and participates in new business pitches
• Seeks out and converts upselling opportunities within present client base

Event management

• Able to manage an event together with a team end to end

Professional skills

• Leadership and management skills in a PR environment
• Creative thinker
• New business development experience and track record
• Punctuality
• Excellent project management and organisational skills
• Strong negotiation and delegation skills
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with a high degree of emotional intelligence
• Business and commercial acumen
• Routinely contributes to agency growth and performance as project, team, group and agency leader
• Delegates effectively with sufficient time frames and clear briefs
• Routinely recommends and implements solutions when problems arise
• Assists peers in problem solving
• Uses talents of colleagues in own problem solving
• Routinely seeks and shares information with colleagues
• Participates actively in team, staff and client meetings
• Routinely invests in building agency and client accounts and resources
• Works with group account director to identify and address training, leadership and career development needs
• Continually seeks new ways to learn, improve and contribute
• Exhibits creative thinking and solutions for news business and existing client work
• Participates actively in team, staff and client meetings

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About the job Digital Asset Management Specialist

• The librarian will be responsible for organizing and maintaining images and product information in the product image library as well as digitally filing all published work on a digital platform according to the respective campaigns.
• The Product Library plays a pivotal role in the smooth running of the Agency and requires a highly detail oriented and organised Librarian to manage and maintain images and product information in the Digital Asset Management system.

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Sorting and categorizing product images
• Ensuring that images are properly labelled
• Working with designers and photographers in creating and using new product images
• Maintaining a high-quality and organized collection of product images
• Collaborating with client service to ensure that product images are used effectively
• Implementing and maintaining image management systems and processes
• Providing support and training to other team members on how to use the image library
• Keeping up to date with industry trends and best practices for product image management

KEY SKILLS

• Mac literate
• Able to work with Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator
• Familiar with using Digital asset management systems
• Ensure images are of the highest quality, and meet the client's specifications
• Highly organised
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills and able to work well with a team
• Able to work well under pressure
• Pro-active
• Punctual and willing to work long hours if required

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• A Media Specialist - Account Executive should be a capable communications and public relations professional able to handle a broad variety of tasks with increasing independence and sound judgment, in particular - liaising with media and securing earned media coverage on behalf of clients.
• A Media Specialist - Account Executive has demonstrated professional knowledge and skills. She/he should be able to manage the media liaison functions of specific accounts, this would include the placement of content as well as securing media interviews. She/he must have an in-depth understanding of the broad and industry-specific media landscape. Know and maintain relationships with journalists both in the general news environment as well as in the specific areas that clients operate in. Track movements in the media landscape, know editors and have the ability and relationships to pick up the phone and speak to journalists regarding a specific story or enlist the support of the Senior Media Specialist - Account Manager to do so.
• She/he should, with the support of the Senior Media Specialist - Account Manager, be able to advise clients as well as client services teams on angles, and media motivations or approaches for clients based on their needs to secure earned media coverage as well as give detailed feedback and advice on media interviews. Start developing the skills and knowledge required to contribute to content strategy.
• She/he should feedback to the client services team regarding coverage secured and advise on placement opportunities secured to assist the client services team in accurate reporting.
• He/she takes responsibility for the projects he/she manages, ensuring excellence in execution.
• A Media Specialist - Account Executive demonstrates the ability and wherewithal to deliver on our vision and performance requirements as Ogilvy PR. A Media Specialist - Account Executive strives to build strong media relationships and keeps up to date on the news agenda and current affairs as it relates to clients and more generally. She/he is up to date on the needs and strategy of their clients and has a strong working relationship with the client services team to be able to deliver on the earned media needs of clients.

PURPOSE

• To positively impact the share of voice in the media landscape of Ogilvy PR clients and secure top tear, relevant media opportunities for clients as well as be an integral team member and positive contributor to the Ogilvy Newsroom.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Impacting delivery and quality

• Secure earned media coverage for clients.
• Issuing of press releases by or before 9h00.
• Conduct media call downs and provide detailed feedback to client services on media responses to content.
• Implements events such as press conferences, media briefings, analyst meetings, media tours third-party advocacy, etc.
• Demonstrates competence at using internal and external research capabilities and in preparing analyses and proposals for the media and otherwise.
• Ensure that content distributed to media is relevant and specific to the journalist and media house shared with, (do not spray and pray for media releases)
• With the support of the Senior Media Specialist - Account Manager and Newsroom Director, advise client services on content and distribution approaches.
• Understand the different types of content and where they are applicable to what media, for example, do not send a press release to the opinion editor of a publication, and do not send consumer content to a business journalist.
• With the guidance of the Senior Media Specialist - Account Manager, prepare clients for media interviews with comprehensive briefing documents and where required briefing sessions.
• With the support and guidance of the Senior Media Specialist - Account Manager and Newsroom Director, advise clients on the fundamentals of how they should conduct themselves in the interview and prepare them in terms of what they should expect from the person conducting the interview this includes but is not limited to advice on what they should wear, what questions they can expect and the interview style of the journalist conducting the interview to ensure the client presents well and has the best possible experience in the interview.
• With the guidance of the Senior Media Specialist - Account Manager, give feedback and advice to clients based on how interviews were conducted to ensure they feel supported, but are also able to improve and build on their experience for the next interview.
• Keep media, clients and client services abreast of any changes to the interview schedule.
• Read coverage received and provide feedback as to client services, on if the key messages and narrative landed as intended, and if spokespeople were accurately quoted in context.
• Raise any issues that may arise from the coverage with client services immediately.
• Proactively ensure all general/client-specific/industry-specific media lists are updated by the last day of every month and can be located in a central repository (MS Teams, media specialist group)
• Keep abreast of the news cycle and proactively propose at least one motivation or angle per client per week, and track this with the client services team to ensure it is impactful.
• Drafting compelling and newsworthy media motivations to be approved by client services.
• Work with newsroom/ media specialist colleagues to advise the broader team of movements or developments in the media landscape via an emailed report by the 20th of every month.
• Actively participate and contribute to the morning Newsroom meetings.
• Host the Newsroom meetings as per the agreed-upon schedule, ensuring that the news presented is relevant to clients, their industry or the broader macro environment our clients operate in, and attempt to find ways for clients to infiltrate the news agenda.
• Update the newsroom tracker and ensure that client services are tagged and able to share the suggestions that emanate from the Newsroom meeting before 10h00 daily.
• Ensure the newsroom tracker is up to date and that client services give feedback on any suggestions by Friday to ensure that maximum value is derived from the Newsroom meetings.
• Actively seek our guidance and support from the Senior Media Specialist - Account Manager and Newsroom Director to grow and improve on the quality of work, content angles, content strategy, media motivations and client feedback.

Impacting relationships

• Establish at least two new media contacts per month.
• Arrange one media meet and greet session for the newsroom team per month.
• Arrange one meet and greet session between key media and clients every quarter or as required by the client.
• To foster and nurture good working relationships within the team.
• To drive a positive, can-do culture in the agency

Impacting the broader Ogilvy PR team

• Adherence to office hours
• Punctuality for meetings both internally and externally through effective diary management
• Routinely contributes to agency growth and performance as project, team, group and agency leader.
• Proactive and works with a sense of urgency.
• Routinely recommends and implements solutions when problems arise.
• Assists peers in problem-solving.
• Uses talents of colleagues in own problem-solving.
• Routinely seeks and shares information with colleagues.
• Routinely invests in building agency and client accounts and resources.
• Works with Newsroom to identify and address training, leadership and career development needs.
• Continually seeks new ways to learn, improve and contribute.
• Exhibits creative thinking and solutions for new business and existing client work.
• Participates actively in teams, staff and client meetings.
• Highly organized and administratively sound.

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Ogilvy PR is looking for a proficient operations manager with extensive experience in traffic management and office administration. A person who has strong organisational capabilities and is administratively excellent.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the coordination of content development between the client services team and the newsroom, this would include both editorial and creative studio content to ensure briefs received are to standard, allocation of resources, deadline management and quality control.

Essentially the operations manager is responsible for effective system management of all processes and procedures within the agency. The successful individual must be a team player and promote a positive work culture.

PURPOSE

• To positively impact the effective management of all systems, processes and procedures within the agency with a particular focus on the Ogilvy Newsroom.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Impacting delivery and quality

• Managing the daily output of the Ogilvy Newsroom, ensuring delivery deadlines and the highest possible standards are met consistently
• Run and manage daily meetings between Client Services and Newsroom and follow up on key actions with team members responsible for the job.
• Collaborate with the client services team to ensure quality briefs are submitted on time
• Working with client service team to develop chase lists and timing schedules on large and complex projects.
• Organising, planning, and administration of agency projects focusing on operational duties in consultation with the Newsroom Director and the other business executives
• Development and design of relevant processes to aid the agencys profitability and efficiencies.
• To assist with production projects and other ad-hoc projects as required.
• In collaboration with Director of Newsroom, and the leadership team to source the most suitable outside suppliers and freelancers.
• Setting up of creative briefings, reviews and presentations.
• Manage the administration requirements of the office.
• Assist with internal communications and arrangements for the team.
• To drive other disciplines timing through organising and running timesheet management against Fee and non-Fee Client business.
• To perform duties as and when required on the operational management and administration of the agency.
• To actively manage the company portfolio of current and new business with support from the Client Service and New business teams, managing the delivery of goods, and any other related requirements, including managing the reconciliations related to these projects.
• Assist with ad-hoc projects.
• Always strive for flawless admin/housekeeping.
• Reconcile and manage project budgets.

Impacting relationships

• To actively manage and foster excellent supplier relationships
• To foster and nurture good working relationships within the team
• To drive a positive, can-do culture in the agency

Impacting profitability

• To negotiate and secure the best price with all third-party suppliers
• To enhance productivity of Newsroom and studio team
• To provide monthly timesheet analysis and reports at leadership meetings
• To ensure that all financial processes are adhered e.g. invoicing, raising of POs, and on-boarding of clients and suppliers.
• To quality check and approve PQs alongside the Business, Financial and Managing Director.
• To accurately manage agencys invoicing and billing process
• To ensure quick and accurate cost reconciliations on completion of projects/job and monitor internal costs to ensure these are all accounted for and within budget
• Management of new business administration

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

• Suitable tertiary education
• At least 6 years of agency experience, at least 3 of those in a traffic manager role.
• Proficiency in PR and below-the-line communication.
• A very well-organised person who knows the industry and how to prioritise and coordinate multiple responsibilities and tasks in a pressured and dynamic environment.
• MUST have a strong personality- no Nonsense attitude be results orientated professional and fair.
• PC Literacy essential (All MS Office applications)
• Sound business and financial acumen.
• Excellent, open, confident communicator.
• Must be resilient, tenacious and have the ability to deal with pressure and manage personalities in a high-stress environment.
• Energetic, enthusiastic, and willing to go the extra mile when required.
• Proactive with a sense of urgency.
• Integrity is essential in view of confidential information
• Detail orientated
• Organising, planning, control and administrative skills are essential

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• We are looking for a Concept Creative to work on our fashion retail brand. The main responsibility will be to develop concepts and design for on-trend and breakthrough promotional campaigns. It also involves planning and directing photoshoots and developing visual assets that will be rolled out to several media platforms.
• The Concept Creative for this role must can have a Copywriting background but should have a strong grasp of Art Direction and should be willing to learn & upskill where needed. Concept Creatives are client facing, conceptual thinkers who are able to work alone and in collaboration with other conceptual creatives & creative specialists. They have sufficient communication skills to visualise and sell creative ideas.  When it comes to their thinking, they are channel and brand agnostic. We consider Concept Creatives to be able to think through the funnel, from big attention-grabbing platform ideas to functional bottom of the funnel conversion ideas.
• We sell or else should be the guide through everything we do.
• This role needs someone who can work efficiently under pressure, in collaboration with media and strategy from the get-go. We thrive in a fast pace environment in an ever-changing landscape, having a solution orientated mindset is key to succeed in this role. 

THE ROLE REQUIRES

• Must have relevant qualification plus at least 8 years of experience at reputable advertising agency.
• We are looking for someone who has worked within the retail environment or worked on retail clients.
• Experience with fashion retail brands is a plus.

Copy skills required:

• Strong Retail TV and radio script writing capabilities, experience in directing voice over artists and sound engineers, good ear for music and background tracks and ability to write retail headlines and copy. Must also be a strong conceptualiser. Should have a good grasp of Art Direction (ie the partner discipline) and able to work across multiple channels.

Other skills required:

• Good presentation and client relationship skills, be a good team player and mentor, be innovative and solutions driven, able to plan workloads, collaborate with production to meet deadlines.
• The successful candidate will work across several projects from initial conceptualisation of monthly campaigns to TV and radio scripts, social engagement ideas, headlines and copy for roll out onto various media platforms.

RESPONSIBILITIES

CREATIVE

• Under the supervision of a Creative Director, you will be responsible for the concept and ideation of campaign ideas.
• You will be expected to mock-up ideas, and create internal and external presentations to sell in ideas to clients
• You will be required to either see those ideas through to finished work or guide your supporting team roll out the work
• You will either lead art direction and planning on photographic and TV shoots
• Or you will lead all copy requirements, develop TV and radio scripts, direct voice performances and direct social content
• You ensure that the creative team/traffic manager/production manager are aligned throughout projects, to meet deadlines
• You are responsible for overcoming any difficulties and finding solutions during the project while keeping your Creative Specialists informed throughout.
• You build strong relationships and foster good team spirit with both clients and members of the agency to bring great ideas and creative work to life
• You will have a solution focused attitude

ADAMINISTRATION

• You have a thorough working knowledge of all agency systems: timesheets, resource, planning
• You are ultimately responsible for ensuring your work is produced efficiently and on time
• You will work in close collaboration with your seniors who will set in place a structured way of working.

PROFILE

• Relevant tertiary qualification
• CC Suite: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Keynote (Art Director background)
• Microsoft: PowerPoint, Word, Excel (Copywriter background)
• ±10 years retail experience, ± 5 years in a senior role
• Portfolio of work shown must demonstrate your ability to perform this role.

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• 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.

go to method of application »

Job description:

• As the Account Manager, you will be the secondary account relationship owner responsible for this client account, which includes relationship, financial and reputational management on the account. You will report directly into the Group Account Director and Account Director on the account.

Key responsibilities & accountabilities:

Relationship Management

• Owner of the client relationship at a client account and project level Marketing Manager, Brand Manager and Marketing Assistants
• Grow and nurture the relationship between client and agency, becoming a partner who makes a positive impact on our business and theirs
• Responsible for maintaining, building and improving good relationship with client and driving efficient ways of working
• Effectively handle all required aspects of client communications at the project level identified
• Manage client queries, expectations and requirements
• Have a good understanding the client team and clients business, products, services
• Understanding the key stakeholders, customer and new audiences client wants to engage
• Understanding key changes, challenges and opportunities within your clients business
• Driving culture of creativity and making impact within the agency and within the client teams

Project and Account Management

• Actively manage project timelines and tend to resource planning in collaboration with your direct reports
• Organise, manage and motivate the internal agency teams, keeping them updated with latest developments and opportunities within the account
• Driving inter-departmental workings, alignment and good governance
• Scoping out small out of scope projects, deliverables and activities in collaboration with your GAD, AD and Project Management lead
• Monitoring project progress, updating project timelines and scheduling of reviews and presentations
• Developing reporting including contact reports, status reports, recon reports
• Implement approaches and process (support overall company process, led by Operations Director)
• Write creative briefs and debriefs with confidence and clarity around activities, deliverables and output to client

Financial Management

• Meeting overall profit margins, targets and growth targets assigned to the client account
• Growing projects and managing scope creep on projects
• Do WIP adjustments, invoice, create purchase orders, develop credit notes and close jobs on client account on a monthly bases
• Monthly forecasts to be tracked weekly and reported on once a month
• Support the GAD and AD in the development of Quarterly forecasting, budgeting and prelims
• Price quote scope and hours management, tracking progress on jobs
• Driving profitability on accounts, ensuring all out of scope work and scope creep is quoted for separately
• Where applicable, supply client with project or retainer (FEE) recons on monthly bases to manage costs oversee your account management team
• Personal and team timesheet management, ensuring accuracy and completion on daily basis
• Attend weekly WIP adjustment meetings with Production accounts

Reputation management

• Brief in the development of case studies and PR material for each big project, driving agency equity and credentials for the agency within each project
• Drive award winning opportunities within client portfolio and specific projects, deliver awards status to your GAD and AD
• Drive diversity and inclusion around talent, within the agency and in the client accounts

Career Growth

• Learning and applying theories/ methodology within your day to day activities
• Reading, following and research of relevant content to grow your own knowledge
• Attending formal agency provided skills training sessions, the opportunities given to you
• Driving own success and growth by completing training sessions from library of free sources
• Support the GAD in development of team objectives, career conversations
• Take part in the weekly and monthly Impact Awards nominations to drive a reward and recognition culture across departments

Role specific professional and technical skills

• Strong project management skills
• Good writing and delivery skills relating to internal and external communication
• Solid presentation skills at a Marketing Manager and Brand Manager level
• Ability to manage multiple projects
• Solid time management and organizational skills
• Good interpersonal skills to drive client, agency and wider Ogilvy network relationships
• Good negotiation skills and understanding when to charge client for additional work
• Ability to interpret client feedback and debriefs
• Good understanding of local business operations and reporting pertaining to the agency
• Good understanding and experience in advertising, strategy and production process
• Fully conversant with Microsoft (PowerPoint, Word, Excel)

Level of experience

• Relevant degree in communications/ business management
• More than 3 years agency experience, 1 year in AM role
• Advertising and digital experience essential
• Traditional media experience beneficial
• ATL and BTL experience beneficial, but not essential

Job behaviours

• Pervasively creative have a passion for impactful creative work and shape the industry you want to grow in
• Adaptively connected integration with the larger Ogilvy group, with teams and within departments
• Relentlessly curious have a passion for learning, growing and thinking in ways that challenge others
• Divinely discontent think in ways that challenge others
• Eternal craftspeople make the ads you want to watch, design journeys you want to take and champion work you want your friends to see

go to method of application »

• A Mid-Level Concept Creative is an Art Director/Copywriter hybrid you can lean towards Art, but should be able to straddle the basics of both Art Director and Copywriter capabilities and should be willing to learn & upskill where needed.
• Mid- level Concept Creatives are client facing, conceptual thinkers who are able to work alone and in collaboration with other conceptual creatives & creative specialists. They have sufficient communication skills to visualize and sell their creative ideas. When it comes to their thinking, they are channel and brand agnostic. We consider Concept Creatives to be able to think through the funnel, from big attention-grabbing platform ideas to functional bottom of the funnel conversion ideas.
• We sell or else should be the guide through everything we do.
• This role needs someone who can work efficiently under pressure, in collaboration with media and strategy from the get-go. We thrive in a fast pace environment in an ever-changing landscape, having a solution orientated mindset is key to succeed in this role.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Under the supervision of an ACD or Creative Director, you will be responsible for the concept and ideation of campaign ideas. Leading ideas through the funnel from big idea through to purchase.

Key requirements include:

• Strong Conceptual ability (top of the funnel excellence).
• Confidence and good communication skills as the role involves a high level of client engagement
• Creative leadership that understands and promotes platform storytelling.
• Financially conscious.
• Culture of creative collaboration with the System (paid media) and Story (strategy) teams.
• Good design skills across a wide range of creative mock-up executions & presentation designs (internal & external) e.g. Keynote, Photoshop, QuickTime Player, etc.
• Culture of agility (rapid turn-around).
• Culture of innovation.
• Strong and up-to-date knowledge of communication platforms and formats & channels.
• Understanding of, and ability to, develop bottom of the funnel performance content. Understanding of the ever-changing consumer landscape.

Requirements

Internal Mandatories

• You ensure that the creative team/traffic manager/production manager are aligned throughout projects, to meet deadlines.
• You are responsible for overcoming any difficulties and finding solutions during the project while keeping your team members informed throughout.
• You build strong relationships and foster good team spirit with both clients and members of the agency to bring great ideas and creative work to life.
• You will have a solution focused attitude.

Administration

• You have a thorough working knowledge of Workbook (timesheets).
• You are ultimately responsible for ensuring your work is produced efficiently and on time.
• You will work in close collaboration with your seniors who will set in place a structured way of working.

PROFILE

• Min 4 years Art Director experience.
• Relevant tertiary qualification.

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• A Mid- Level Concept Creative is a Copywriter/Art Director hybrid you can lean towards Copy but should be able to straddle the basics of both Copy and Art Director capabilities and should be willing to learn & upskill where needed.
• Mid- level Concept Creatives are client facing, conceptual thinkers who are able to work alone and in collaboration with other conceptual creatives & creative specialists. They have sufficient communication skills to visualize and sell their creative ideas. When it comes to their thinking, they are channel and brand agnostic. We consider Concept Creatives to be able to think through the funnel, from big attention-grabbing platform ideas to functional bottom of the funnel conversion ideas.
• We sell or else should be the guide through everything we do.
• This role needs someone who can work efficiently under pressure, in collaboration with media and strategy from the get-go. We thrive in a fast pace environment in an ever-changing landscape, having a solution orientated mindset is key to succeed in this role.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Under the supervision of an ACD or Creative Director, you will be responsible for the concept and ideation of campaign ideas. Leading ideas through the funnel from big idea through to purchase.

Key requirements include:

• Strong Conceptual ability (top of the funnel excellence).
• Confidence and good communication skills as the role involves a high level of client engagement.
• Creative leadership that understands and promotes platform storytelling.
• Financially conscious.
• Culture of creative collaboration with the System (paid media) and Story (strategy) teams.
• Good design skills across a wide range of creative mock-up executions & presentation designs (internal & external) e.g. Keynote, Photoshop, QuickTime Player, etc.
• Culture of agility (rapid turn-around).
• Culture of innovation.
• Strong and up-to-date knowledge of communication platforms and formats & channels.
• Understanding of, and ability to, develop bottom of the funnel performance content.
• Understanding of the ever-changing consumer landscape

Requirements

Internal Mandatories

• You ensure that the creative team/traffic manager/production manager are aligned throughout projects, to meet deadlines.
• You are responsible for overcoming any difficulties and finding solutions during the project while keeping your team members informed throughout.
• You build strong relationships and foster good team spirit with both clients and members of the agency to bring great ideas and creative work to life.
• You will have a solution focused attitude.

Administration

• You have a thorough working knowledge of Workbook (timesheets).
• You are ultimately responsible for ensuring your work is produced efficiently and on time.
• You will work in close collaboration with your seniors who will set in place a structured way of working.

PROFILE

• Min 4 years Copywriter experience with at least one having exposure to all forms of writing for the automotive industry, an added advantage.
• Relevant tertiary qualification.
• Able to communicate an idea through any medium.
• Will need to be comfortable with long and short-format copy, content plans to press releases and brochures for the automotive industry.
• Must be able to manage different briefs and tones, meet deadlines, have an attention to detail, love for words, and a passion for ideas.

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• We are a leading advertising agency looking for passionate Software Developer (.NET), that is excited about building exceptional web & mobile applications.
• You will require a minimum of 5 years experience in web development with solid experience in C#, .NET, MS SQL.

Role Responsibilities

• Develop software according to best practice standards and methodologies.
• Work closely with front-end developers to ensure an effective, visually appealing, functional and intuitive implementation.
• Managing all technical aspects of the Sitecore/Umbraco CMS.
• Solve difficult technical problems blocking project progress or work quality.
• Ensure that the software is maintainable, scalable, secure and of a high quality.
• Assist with estimations of work.
• Able to manage an end-to-end code release process.

Technical Skills

• Strong background in C#, .NET, SQL, JavaScript
• Ability to build, extend, and configure Sitecore sites Training is available
• Experience developing web solutions in Umbraco
• Utilisation/development of APIs and RESTful web services.
• Thorough understanding of the Software Development Lifecycle (e.g. Requirements, Design, Development, Testing).
• Experience using version control such as GIT.
• Experience working with a Windows Server environment.

Duties:

• Lead developer in .NET projects
• Database design and implementation
• Participation in project scoping and design approach
• Participation in strategic project planning and resource management for optimal team efficiency
• Identify and solve issues across different CMS, projects and stacks
• Extending of CMS back-office functionality (Adding specific functional requirements to the UI)
• Project implementation (Backend: SQL, C#, JS/JQuery, some HTML)
• Management and involvement in Code Review process
• Driving skills development and training on the introduction of new tools, processes and development principles

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About the job Group Account Director
JOB DESCRIPTION

• Is to lead a particular piece of business, within a constructive and creative operating environment.
• Should lead with innovative thinking, embedding an ethos and desire to push boundaries.
• Is the leader of the Account Management team and is the primary manager of the account. As such, he/she must recognise his/her prime responsibility for ensuring the quality of the agencys product, particularly the strategic and creative product, and for inspiring the highest standards in other team members. In so doing, he/she will contribute to the successful and profitable stewardship of clients Brands.
• Be an active and enthusiastic advocate of the Brand, in theory and in practice. This means both completing the procedural sides of Brand Stewardship and living and breathing the philosophy of stewarding each Brand worked on.Live the Brand.
• Build excellent relationships with clients, extending into social situations, and with all members of the agency team for whom he/she is responsible.
• The Group Account Directors leadership role on his/her business should also contribute to the department in a positive manner: by setting an example of best-practice account management skills.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

Client

• Has a deep understanding of the clients business and of the key broader factors and trends shaping their markets and categories. Looks for opportunities to engage in broader business dialogue with clients.
• Continually champions Ogilvy and partners and the work produced by the agencies.
• Is a role model for the Ogilvy values and behaviours.
• Promotes Ogilvy strategy both internally and externally.
• Builds strong and enduring relationships with clients, professionally and socially, particularly at the Marketing Manager or equivalent level.
• Is the Managing Partners first port of call on all questions relating to the business.
• Regularly seeks out ways to add value to the client/agency relationship (e.g. joint speaking appearances at conferences; effecting introductions to other members of agency management; agency presentations on broader industry issues).
• Able to open clients minds on links between communication ideas and desired business or brand results.

Creative

• Is responsible for setting the creative context of the business: knowing what type of advertising the Brand needs and understanding what the client thinks he/she wants, if these differ.
• Is an excellent judge of creative work and is willing and able to argue a case in any client/agency forum.
• Understands how best to present the agencys work in a client forum in an innovative, fresh and inspiring way.
• Ensures team briefing sessions are creative and inspirational.
• Monitors creative output to ensure communication is on agreed brand strategy.
• Able to recognise when an idea has potential to work across multiple touchpoints and to encourage to creative to go further than the brief.

Finance

• Has the ability to write Business plans/project fee proposals, present and sell to clients.
• Is responsible for maximising the accounts billings and revenue and for seeking out additional revenue opportunities.
• Contributes to the good financial management of the business, improving profitability wherever possible,
• Ensures that timesheets are always up to date and given to Finance timeously.

Traffic / Production

• Is responsible for ensuring appropriate timescales on all major productions.
• Is responsible for ensuring the right resource is allocated to the business in this area.
• Is responsible for ensuring that the client understands the importance of having enough time for creative development.
• Ensures team building and relationship management is present.

Planning/Strategy

• Forms a strong and enduring relationship with his/her Planner on the business.
• In tandem with the Planner, develops the most insightful advertising strategies and sharpest creative briefs possible.
• Challenges the brand strategy within the context of the broader business, financial, cultural, and social environments.
• Understands global and local competitor environment to best inform the strategist/planner and strategist on opportunities and threats.

Media

• Oversees the teams media output carries out quality control and effective resource management.
• Keeps abreast of all developments in areas of media and fosters the use of best practice in media research, planning / buying tools, and methodologies etc.
• Keeps the Media Director apprised of relevant client/account issues.

Management

• Is ultimately responsible for the smooth running of the account at a macro level operationally, creatively and financially and is answerable on these points to the client and to the Managing Partner.
• Creates the best possible environment in which to produce the best possible work. Is responsible for ensuring that his/her teams have the right time and resources to deliver this, within the clients time frame.
• Builds the respect and loyal commitment of team members, of the department and of the agency as a whole.
• Inspires and energises individuals and teams to achieve their own and company objectives.
• Delegates effectively and appropriately upwards to the Managing Partner, as well as downwards, and to other departments.
• Involves the Managing Partner appropriately on all relevant issues: status of business, brand health, creative projects, timings, etc.

Ogilvy

• Builds knowledge across the Ogilvy network through the sharing of knowledge, experience and market place insights.
• Positively seeks or constructs learning and feedback opportunities for peers, self, team and clients
• Demonstrates continuous personal and organisational improvements.
• Creates a culture and environment where everyone has the opportunity to learn.
• Ability to seek, identify and follow through on additional revenue streams. Bring these to the Managing Partner and Managements attention.

Requirements for the Position:

Education & Experience

• At least 7+ years experience working in an Advertising Agency in Client Service with 2 years being in an Account Director role or similar.
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Business Management / Marketing / Communication / Advertising.
• Proficient in MS Office (i.e. Word / Excel / PowerPoint)
• Thorough knowledge and experience in disciplines relevant to the business.
• Strong leadership and managerial skills
• Be able to take strategic control of all accounts
• Be self-reliant and take total ownership of the portfolio
• Have a strong overall business acumen
• Self-motivated with a high energy level
• Good presentation skills

Skills and Attributes/key competencies

• Leadership
• Able to manage a team
• Team player
• Active listening skills
• Tactful and diplomatic in conflict resolution
• Uses group input to make decisions when appropriate
• Projects a level of experience and maturity that commands trust and confidence
• Enthusiastic / confident / professional
• Proactive
• Attention to detail
• Excellent time management skills
• Exceptional interpersonal skills
• Excellent presentation skills
• Excellent organisational skills
• Strong overall business acumen
• Passion for client service delivery and hunger to achieve
• Good time management skills

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• Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded.

Key Performance areas

Financial Reporting

• Oversee compilation of reports, and design of templates, such as Budgets, Monthly Management Reports, Board packs, Reporting Packs, Annual Financial Statements and other reports, all of which have to be compiled in the prescribed formats. Quality check the reports and forward to relevant role players within the allocated time frames, taking cognizance of deadlines;
• Ensure that these reports comply with GAAP where applicable, and address non-compliance by devising and implementing an action-plan to rectify this.

Taxation- Direct and Indirect

• Take responsibility for timely payment of all taxes. This includes ensuring that the computed tax liabilities are accurate;
• Facilitate the preparation of tax returns, and resolve queries with tax authorities.

Intercompany Balances

• Co- ordinate and oversee the inter-company confirmation and reporting process, as well as the associated reconciliations, within the allocated periods.

Maintained Relationships

• Establish and maintain existing relationships with internal and external customers, other Financial Control divisions, inter-company counterparts and auditors;
• Obtaining mutual agreement on the resolution of issues, meetings required and the delivery of inter-dependent outputs and results;
• Continuously monitoring performance of all parties to ensure that the agreements are adhered to;
• Informing the relevant role players of the outcomes and actions required.
• Provides support by performing ad-hoc duties necessitated by operational requirements, within allocated time frame;

Human Resource Management

• Provide continuous feedback and coaching to staff members, to ensure performance at optimum productivity level;
• Maintain Performance Management documentation for staff. Conduct Performance Management in line with company policies as well as departmental processes.

Management of Operations

• Maintain and improve productivity of the department by: analysing, and where applicable adopting, benchmarks of similar operations; creating and maintaining a climate conducive to performance, ensuring that the department delivers against objectives; and initiating and implementing proactive and corrective actions as required, within the allocated time frames;
• Co-ordinate month end and year end procedures, including statutory audit;
• Draft new policies and procedures, or update existing ones, when needed.

Minimum Requirements:

• The position requires a B COM Accounting Degree and articles completed with a recognized audit firm essential, at least minimum of five years experience in a senior financial management role. Experience within the marketing, communications and advertising industries would be an added advantage. AGA (SA) / CA (SA) / CIMA registration would be an added advantage.
• Suitable person must possess extensive knowledge of commercial awareness, initiative and the ability to work as part of a team. Solid judgment and critical thinking forms an integral part of the job and attention to detail is paramount to successfully getting work done on a timely basis. Working with a structured and methodical approach to tasks and have the ability to identify risks and recommend actions to mitigate. A proven track record of building and developing effective working relationships

Core competencies and skills:

• Good data entry and proofing skills
• Evidence of good oral and written communication skills
• Excellent analytical and numerical abilities are crucial
• Maintain high level of confidentiality
• Influencing and directing people abilities across the business
• Previous experience on an accounting system accompanied by excellent knowledge of financial accounting
• Decisiveness, action orientated and attention to detail.

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MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To be the commercial and operations business partner working closely with Public Relations Leadership team (i.e. managing director, client service production teams), finance and IT operations teams.

Commercial:

• Work with the MD, FD and leadership team to manage business unit profitability with regards to current and new clients, manage day-to-day financial operations.
• Manage client, job and product profitability analysis and reporting by overseeing the monthly client and team profitability process to ensure accurate data by clients and jobs; interact with leadership team to analyse actual vs forecasted client profitability.
• Identify and take necessary actions to correct client service teams and their clients delivering low profitability.
• Align resourcing to clients to ensure efficient utilisation of staff and identify low productivity / low billability among staff.
• Support Global reporting, and analysis for key clients,
• Implement and monitor key financial and operational KPIs (i.e. time sheet completion and accuracy, utilisation, billability and staff cost salary ratios, contribution levels).
• Provide guidance and support on client pricing across retainers and project work to ensure consistency, accuracy and profitability.
• Interrogate the customer forecast to ensure detailed, accurate and up to date forecasting. Question and explain variances at each month end to ensure forecasting remains accurate.
• Supervise and administrate client revenue recognition process, deferred revenue accrued revenue and WIP process in accordance with WPP policies.
• Administrate the customer and Ogilvy processes to maximise Net Working Capital, by ensuring timely invoicing and adherence to NWC Policy. I.e. No PO, No Work.
• Improve core commercial finance processes where needed,
• Handle annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting; administer and review all financial plans and compare to actual results with a view to identify, explain, and correct variances as appropriate.
• Assist the, MD, CFO and FD in preparing the annual operating plan budget to be presented to Ogilvy EMEA & WWP.
• Support the MD, CFO and FDs in engaging around issues and trends in financial operating models and delivery. Identify opportunities to target growth areas within clients and the market.

Operational:

• Work with MD, FD and Business Technology team to ensure systems compliance and adoption by the team.
• Drive client onboarding process with finance and operations.
• Analyse data and system reports and alert MD, FD and Business Technology Director to any issues or issues as relates to systems.
• Maintain internal controls to ensure ICF compliancy in partnership with the group compliance manager.
• Work on key Ogilvy projects that pertain to operations and finance to ensure efficiency of the business,

CANDIDATE PROFILE

• Educated, comm graduate / CIMA or equivalent qualification.
• 5 years+ working experience in either consulting or advertising and communications/public relations environment (International companies would be a positive).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of fully integrated financial/ERP system. (Working knowledge and experience of WorkBook software would be an advantage)
• Strong Excel skills with the ability to work with complex data
• Personal and team leadership skills, with proven ability to build, influence & sustain relationships at all levels of the organisation.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Able to handle complexity and achieve results.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines.

ATTRIBUTES

• Can-do attitude!
• Team player and high achiever
• Loves to learn new things and share this with the team
• Has patience
• Sees the bigger picture but knows that attention to detail is vital

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Account Director

• An individual with a digital media background to nurture and develop some of the most loved and established national and international brands. If you have a min of 7 years agency experience and are looking to grow, work hard, and have fun along the way, apply now!

Responsibilities

Include but not limited to:

• Under the supervision of the Business Unit Director and Regional COO, you will lead your clients' projects and will be responsible for their daily management.
• You are ultimately responsible for the smooth and efficient running of the account - operationally, creatively, financially and are answerable on these points to the clients, Business Unit Director and Regional COO.
• As the senior point of contact for the agency's customers, you also co-ordinate the resources needed to service projects, build strategic operational plans and balance the expectations of clients with the execution of creative, intelligence and/or media work.
• You build strong and enduring relationships with clients. You also have a deep understanding of the client's business and of the key broader factors and trends shaping their markets and categories.
• Leverage this knowledge to grow our assignments & revenue.
• Have a deep understanding of the financial forecast/overview of your clients.
• Be responsible for managing/coaching the account executives and managers you are working with.
• Delegate effectively and appropriately upwards to the agency management as well as downwards to your reports and other departments.
• Build the respect, loyal commitment, and performance of your team members.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate for the role would have the following background:

• Min 7 years experience in account servicing and/or project management.
• A 3 year degree or diploma will be advantageous.
• Comfortable in growing senior client relationships and business.
• Financial and budget control ability.
• Skillful project management.

About you

• High Integrity, energy, and creativity.
• A thorough understanding of (and appreciation for) social media, and the main features, benefits and limitations of all of the major social platforms.
• Flexible and open to work in an agile, hybrid and fast paced environment.
• Excellent written/verbal communication skills.
• Good interpersonal skills.