Group Account Director

Business unit: Ogilvy Advertising

Team: Account Management

Location:  Sydney

Employment type: Permanent

About the role

This role sits at the heart of one of Ogilvy's largest global clients which covers more than 200 countries and territories where the brand operates. This role is specifically focused on Australia. This role includes 3 days in the Ogilvy office and 1 day a week at the clients' office in Sydney.

What you'll do

As the Group Account Director in Australia, you will play a crucial role in steering the strategic direction and creative output of all the in-market initiatives for our client in Australia, ensuring seamless integration across various WPP teams and capabilities (as well as non-WPP partner agencies where appropriate).

This unique position combines leadership with hands-on expertise in driving multi-channel global brand projects in your market. You will oversee cross-departmental collaboration within the market team, drive business growth, and ensure exceptional client satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Lead the adaptation and implementation of long-term market strategies that align with company goals and drive sustainable growth.
• Lead the team in the comprehensive integrated response to market implementation briefs and oversee long-term brand and marketing planning.
• Anticipate future opportunities and challenges, planning proactively to ensure continued success.
• Provide strategic insights and direction, refocusing both creative teams and clients to achieve optimal market outcomes.

Market Champion:

• Cultivate strong relationships with key client stakeholders, acting as a trusted advisor and business partner.
• Lead negotiations and discussions with market stakeholders, leveraging strong persuasion and negotiation skills to secure beneficial outcomes.
• Drive impactful market initiatives, partnering with creative and market teams to ensure high-quality, innovative output.
• Passionately share and socialise great performances with our network around the world.

Project Integration:

• Assist in the development and execution of detailed market implementation briefs, supporting the overall brand and marketing strategy.
• Collaborate with cross-capability teams to produce impactful work that meets and exceeds client expectations.
• Foster a culture of bold, innovative ideas by leading creative development sessions and ensuring effective execution for each channel.
• Present market work effectively, ensuring ideas are executed optimally for each channel.

Client Relationship Management:

• Establish and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with clients, consistently exceeding their expectations.
• Develop a deep understanding of clients' businesses, brands, and market processes, providing strategic guidance and support.
• Ensure the overall health of client accounts, proactively addressing any issues and identifying opportunities for growth.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Support the team to grow and be the best they can be.
• Provide leadership to cross-capability teams, fostering a creative culture of excellence and innovation.
• Promote a collaborative and motivating work environment, encouraging teamwork and shared success.
• Lead by example, demonstrating exceptional presentation, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Operational Excellence:

• Oversee the adoption and implementation of client processes around briefs and ways of working.
• Lead relationships with agency partners across WPP and capability leads.
• Direct the development of communication plans, ensuring each channel is leveraged effectively within the market campaign ecosystem.
• Importantly works closely with the Ogilvy Regional team to ensure market insight and relevance is captured across all strategic and creative work in development.

What you'll bring and how you'll succeed

• Creative Leadership: The ability to set up and drive the strategic and creative direction of market initiatives.
• Opportunity Development: Expertise in identifying and capitalising on new market opportunities.
• Project Integration: Agile hands-on experience in managing multi-channel multi-capability global brand projects, and working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders.
• Client Strategy: Expertise in building and maintaining client relationships.
• Operational Excellence: The ability to adhere to and oversee rigorous processes to ensure operational excellence.

Why Ogilvy?   

• Go global with Ogilvy: As part of a leading global network, you'll have access to exciting career pathways and opportunities around the world. Expand your horizons and connect with colleagues across the globe. 
• Family & caregiver support: We offer a gender-neutral parental leave policy, providing 16 weeks of paid leave to support all parents and caregivers throughout their journey. We're committed to helping you balance your career and family life. 
• Unlock the power of AI: Get exclusive access to WPP Open, our cutting-edge global AI platform, and leverage the latest technology to enhance your work and drive innovation. 
• Work in style at Barangaroo: Sydney-based employees enjoy our brand new, state-of-the-art WPP campus in the heart of Barangaroo. 
• Belong at Ogilvy: We're deeply committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive workplace. Our Inclusivity & Impact Council, SheCD, WPP Unite, and Reconciliation Action Plan programs are just some of the ways we're creating a culture where everyone feels valued and respected. 
• Invest in your growth: We're invested in your success. You'll receive a tailored personal development plan to help you achieve your goals, along with dedicated support from your manager to guide your career journey. We leverage Culture Amp to facilitate meaningful career conversations and track your progress. 
• Recharge & rejuvenate: Enjoy a range of additional leave benefits, including your birthday off, Summer Fridays, and loyalty leave (an extra day for each year you're with us). 
• Wellness your way: Take advantage of discounted rates with health and fitness providers, plus access to yoga, meditation, and wellbeing programs to support your mental and physical health. 
• Confidential support: We provide confidential counselling support through Telus EAP to help you navigate any personal or professional challenges. 
• Recognising excellence: We celebrate your achievements and loyalty through our employee reward programs. 
• Referral bonus: Bring your talented friends to Ogilvy and receive a bonus 
• Unlock exclusive savings: Access discounts and vouchers for major household brands through our benefits platform, perkSPACE. 

At Ogilvy, inclusivity is essential to our success. We're committed to building a workplace that embraces various perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds, knowing that diverse teams drive more impactful work. 

We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Māori, people with disabilities, diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, all ages, genders, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, nationalities, and family structures. 

We believe everyone thrives when they can be themselves. We provide equal opportunities and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential.  

If you require any accessibility adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know: ogv-au-