Business Unit Director

Established in 2004, OLIVER is the world’s first and only specialist in designing, building, and running bespoke in-house agencies and marketing ecosystems for brands. We partner with over 300 clients in 40+ countries and counting. Our unique model drives creativity and efficiency, allowing us to deliver tailored solutions that resonate deeply with audiences.

As a part of The Brandtech Group, we're at the forefront of leveraging cutting-edge AI technology to revolutionise how we create and deliver work. Our AI solutions enhance efficiency, spark creativity, and drive insightful decision-making, empowering our teams to produce innovative and impactful results.

Role: Business Unit Director

Location: Johannesburg/Pretoria, South Africa (hybrid)

About the role:

Working in partnership with our clients, the Business Unit Director will understand the complexities around working together with clients on a daily basis and has a strong passion for championing and producing engaging and innovative creative work. We're looking for a strong strategic thinker who works closely with the client as a long-term business partner, steering the development of their brand and marketing strategy and building lasting relationships with Brand Directors and Brand VPs.

The Business Unit Director will be responsible for the commercial growth of the portfolio and will identify, lead and drive opportunities for growth and innovation. The Business Unit Director is ultimately responsible for the relationship between Agency and Client (driving strong and enduring Client/Agency working relationships, drives Integration of the Agencies offerings effectively).

What you will be doing:

• Manage the delivery and set income targets for a group of clients

• Explore and recommend new cost effective/innovative methods to deliver campaigns

• Overall delivery of client briefs through active team management and distribution of workload

• Manage all day-to-day activity relating to the client accounts

• Understand the role of communication within the broader business context to aid the development of the agency's relationship with the client from advertising supplier to marketing communication partner and Brand Leader

• Ensure a thorough understanding of the production processes and costs in order to maximise agency profitability and client budgets

• Deliver business initiatives that enhance the development of skills, knowledge and good practice

• Deliver tactical solutions when necessary to achieve higher quality within the confines of cost and time ensuring that any change is clearly communicated across the business

• Implement change within the business to achieve operational excellence to take the lead as brand leaders with the Client and throughout the agency

• Case Studies: ensure detailed strategic case studies of all campaigns on are kept and updated on a quarterly basis

• Explore and secure opportunities for organic growth and cross-selling

• Assist with New Business activities e.g. Project Management of a pitch

• Ensure clear understanding of the client's business requirements and to translate this into clear deliverables for your team

• Lead and drive integration between various agencies working on the Client's account

• Adhere to company guidelines, such as timely completion of performance conversations and time sheets, accurate revenue forecasts and achieving ultimate utilisation of budgets and targets

• Ensure understanding of the relevant client contract and relevant legal/regulatory guidelines

• Actively network within the industry to identify and create potential leads, contacts and opportunities.

• Exceptional relationship building skills with a track history of creating long-lasting, beneficial alliances with clients

• Act as the escalation point for the client for any issues with your teams, taking a problem-solving attitude and approach

• Confident with client interaction and challenging them, when necessary, whilst maintaining a positive relationship.

• The ability to negotiate to create win-win compromises with the client on behalf of the team where needed.

• Responsible for the guidance and development of the team so great communication is essential; ability to inspire the team and spot potential.

• Responsible for the guidance and development of the team and able to inspire and spot potential, leading by example, to motivate and inspire.

• Manage the P&L for the team and forecast operational income to senior management.

• Implementation of new accounts where applicable.

What you need to be great in this role:

• Strong gravitas and the ability to build relationships with senior clients, building trust in the accounts offering.

• Strong commercial acumen to build and grow teams while maintaining good profit

• A team player with a client centric focus and possess the ability to build strong and effective working relationships with your teams and colleagues.

• Competence in managing teams in a matrix environment.

• Ability to work autonomously and create/drive solutions with approval from MD

• Demonstrate ownership of large or complex clients at Business Unit Director level.

• Experience in FMCG sector advantageous.

• 2-3 years' experience in a Business Unit Director role or 5 years' experience in a Senior Leadership capacity

Req ID: 16285

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Our values shape everything we do:

Be Ambitious to succeed 

Be Imaginative to push the boundaries of what’s possible 

Be Inspirational to do groundbreaking work 

Be always learning and listening to understand 

Be Results-focused  to exceed expectations 

Be actively pro-inclusive and anti-racist across our community, clients and creations 

OLIVER, a part of the Brandtech Group, is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive working environment where all employees are encouraged to reach their full potential, and individual differences are valued and respected. All applicants shall be considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, neurodivergence, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by local laws. 

 OLIVER has set ambitious environmental goals around sustainability, with science-based emissions reduction targets. Collectively, we work towards our mission, embedding sustainability into every department and through every stage of the project lifecycle.