Initiative Looking for Group Business Director at Auckland, New Zealand Full Time

Initiative is a global media agency that has recently launched in New Zealand in partnership with our foundation client in this market, ASB. The Initiative network is currently Adweek’s Global Media Agency of the Year, and even closer to home, Initiative Australia has recently been named the best Media Agency in the world by Campaign UK.

Recognition such as this, is a result of Initiative’s relentless focus on creating a vibrant and positive culture for its employees, and an environment for them to create the best work of their career. It is this ethos that excites us about entering the New Zealand market which we believe is ripe for disruption.

We are looking for people who share our ambition to elevate the media thinking in the market, by championing strategic excellence in all crafts and creativity in media. Initiative Aotearoa will be agitating for positive change in our industry and is looking for leaders in their field and level, to join the cause.

For this role specifically, the purpose of the Group Business Director is to lead an integrated work team and client leadership trusted advisory. This role is broadly responsible for the day-to-day leadership of the team and client, the work the agency produces, budget targets and how our clients review us.

This is a senior leadership role which is expected to exemplify the Initiative behaviours, drive quality work and creative a positive and collaborative environment. This role works in partnership and collaboration with the discipline leads and across the SBUs, to ensure comprehensive, business- appropriate solutions for clients.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Build and maintain exceptional client relationships and business knowledge
• Ensure all client reporting, budget management, authorisation and billing needs are me
• Ensure alignment with and delivery against client KPI’s in collaboration with internal stakeholders
• Maintain and grow positive relationships with senior clients, strategy and communications design
• Delivery of all financial goals across client portfolio
• Collaborate with disciplines to develop and implement a plan for improving (not just managing) margin across client portfolio
• Drive forward-looking planning costs, market projections and rationale
• Drive a positive and motivating work environment for the team
• Manage team output and develop effective workflows ensuring quality delivery to the client
• Promote an inclusive working environment where opinions, views and ideas can be shared
• Lead the people processes for the team including conducting performance reviews, providing clear guidance on KPIs, approving leave and managing resources effectively
• Build deep relationships and craft collaborative partnership with clients’ partners agencies
• Ensure a positive relationship between clients and Strategy, Communications Design, Partnerships and SBU leads on your group of accounts
• Manage expectations of stakeholders and push back on unrealistic demands
• Deliver work to agreed timeframes
• Focused on continual self-development, actively seeking constructive feedback and modifying behaviour if required
• Maintain client confidentiality and understand the information sharing boundaries with media and other external partners

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND CAPABILITY

• 13+ years’ experience in Marketing and/or Advertising and Media;
• 7+ years’ experience in leading, managing and developing a multi-dimensional team
• Ability to drive projects from conception to completion; project management experience
• Detailed awareness of client business issues, industry trends, consumer trends, promotional resources, market status and competition
• Understanding of the principles of marketing and advertising, as well as an understanding of media concepts and terms, creative and budget requirements
• Superior written and verbal communication and presentation skills
• Ability to work successfully with teams, handling multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines under pressure

We are Fearless, Brave, Dynamic and Seamless.

We are a bunch of eclectic and brilliant misfits with diverse backgrounds that represent the unique fabric of consumers and culture. We want you to be yourself. We want to hear your opinions. We want to see your passion and energy.

Initiative respects that everyone has something unique to contribute to the agency. We respect differences and value diversity. We are inclusive and want you to feel you truly belong to the Ini community.

We offer our people CHOICES and a range of life benefits such as:

• The right to boundaries
• One mental wellbeing day off a month
• Take leave when you don’t have leave balance
• Think more and do less admin through automation
• Birthday leave
• Recovery from personal loss leave and family planning contribution

If you think this role is a good fit for you please do not hesitate to apply or reach out to me. We can discuss more about the role and opportunity.

Drop me an email [email protected] or [email protected] (depending on what you prefer)

We value unique backgrounds and experiences to encourage and celebrate diversity. First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQ+, people of all ages, people with disabilities, and people who are culturally and linguistically diverse are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.