Digital Business Director

Ogilvy One is the Digital arm of Ogilvy South Africa.

We are focuses on building impactful relationships between clients and customers. We drive sustainable growth and customer value by leveraging a deep understanding of brand and human behavior, powered by innovation, design, data, and technology. We are committed to delivering award-winning, integrated campaigns that make a tangible business impact for our diverse portfolio of national and international clients.

We are looking for a:

Digital Business Director

We are seeking an exceptional Digital Business Director to lead and expand our digital client portfolio. This pivotal role requires a seasoned agency leader with a strong commercial acumen and a proven track record in digital strategy, account growth, and team leadership. Reporting to the Managing Director, the Digital Business Director will be instrumental in driving significant business outcomes, fostering strong client relationships at senior executive levels, and nurturing top talent within our teams. This role will combine high-level strategic leadership with hands-on oversight of key digital projects, embodying a dynamic blend of a Managing Partner's vision and a Group Account Director's operational excellence.

Responsibilities:

Commercial Leadership & Business Growth

• Drive Revenue & Profitability: Take full ownership of account performance, profitability, and growth for a portfolio of existing clients, while actively identifying and pursuing new business opportunities and leading pitch processes.
• Strategic Planning: Be integral in annual business planning, setting ambitious commercial objectives, and overseeing revenue targets and reporting.
• Digital Product & Service Development: Identify, recognize, and nurture best-in-class digital services and products, constantly seeking ways to enhance and upsell agency offerings in the digital space (e.g., SEO, website design, development, data analytics, content creation).
• Market Insight: Maintain a deep understanding of clients' businesses, market trends, and broader industry factors to inform strategic recommendations and unlock new growth opportunities.

Senior Client Relationship Management

• Trusted Advisor: Act as a primary business partner and trusted advisor to senior client executives, building and maintaining strong, enduring relationships across multiple levels.
• Strategic Dialogue: Lead strategic conversations with clients, leveraging industry knowledge and digital expertise to address complex business challenges and deliver impactful solutions.
• Account Stewardship: Ensure the overall health and satisfaction of client accounts, proactively resolving issues, strengthening trust, and delivering superior customer service and value.

Digital Strategy & Project Oversight

• End-to-End Delivery: Oversee the conceptualization, development, and implementation of award-winning digital campaigns and projects, ensuring they align with client objectives, strategy, and brand identity.
• Integrated Solutions: Collaborate effectively across departments (e.g., creative, media, PR, technology) and with partner agencies to deliver truly integrated digital campaigns.
• Performance Measurement: Work closely with analytic partners to measure media performance and key KPIs, ensuring strategies are optimized and objectives are met.
• Financial Administration: Possess a strong grasp of financial administration, ensuring accuracy in revenue forecasting, recognition, invoicing, managing scopes, SLAs, and quotes, with timely stakeholder approvals.

Team Leadership & Development

• Talent Management: Lead, manage, and mentor a multi-disciplinary team of account management professionals (including Group Account Directors, Account Managers, Account Executives), fostering a culture of high performance, collaboration, and continuous growth.
• Operational Excellence: Optimize talent utilization, establish strong team unity, and implement efficient ways of working to ensure smooth and effective project execution across multiple disciplines.
• Performance Management: Set clear KPIs for team members, review performance, provide constructive feedback, and identify development opportunities to maximize individual potential.
• Delegation & Empowerment: Effectively delegate tasks and responsibilities, empowering team members while ensuring accountability and quality of output.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate would have the following background:

• Experience: Minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience in an agency leadership role, with a significant focus on digital environments. Previous experience at a Business Director or Group Account Director level within a reputable agency is essential.
• Digital Acumen: Proven expertise in digital strategy, execution, and measurement, with a deep understanding of SEO, website design & development, data & analytics, and the broader digital landscape.
• Business Acumen: Exceptional commercial acumen with a strong track record of driving revenue growth, managing profitability, and securing new business.
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and develop large, multi-disciplinary teams effectively.
• Client Management: Extensive experience in managing and growing senior client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor and business partner to C-suite executives.
• Project Management: Skilled in overseeing complex digital projects from conception to completion, ensuring timely delivery, budget adherence, and quality.
• Communication: Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills, capable of influencing senior stakeholders.

Key Competencies:

• Strong strategic and analytical mindset with executive decision-making capabilities.
• Natural business lead with a proven talent for new business acquisition.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to build strong relationships both internally and externally.
• Self-motivated, high energy, and an enthusiastic team-player with an agile mindset.
• Highly accountable, self-reliant, and able to take strategic control of a portfolio of accounts.
• Proficient in project management tools (e.g., Chase, Workbook) and Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel).

Offer

• A stimulating full-time role within a leading digital agency.
• Opportunity to work with a prestigious portfolio of local and global clients.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Continuous professional development and training opportunities.
• Clear career progression paths and growth opportunities within a global network.
• A dynamic hybrid work model (e.g., 3 days in office, 2 days remote).