Business Director - Media

Company description

Spark Foundry is a global media agency brand within Publicis Media, a key division of Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris FR0000130577, CAC 40]. Spark Foundry harnesses a startup spirit with a powerhouse soul by combining an entrepreneurial, innovative business approach with the resources, capabilities, and marketplace reach of Publicis Media, Ad Age’s 2023 “Agency Network of the Year.” The agency leverages best-in-class industry talent in over 50 countries across the world, including the USA, UK, MENA, Poland, Australia, and China. Spark Foundry has received numerous industry accolades, including Ad Age's 2022 "Media Agency of

Overview

• Lead the digital strategy and plans for all brands in the MEA region (Middle East and Africa). Coordinating all markets to ensure all media activations are deployed and aligned with the global pillars as well as the agency’s key performance indicators.
• Identifying new business opportunities for the client and generating leads.
• Drive growth in various assigned areas of focus, utilizing cross-functional synergies to improve efficiency and support the client's broader goals.
• Identify organic growth, cross /up-selling drivers to maximize growth for the agency.
• Bring in cross-functional teams to develop and execute effective digital media strategies.
• Manage day-to-day client relationships and communications, improve client satisfaction scores and grow their digital business.
• Play a role in shaping the overall digital direction and success of the media planning team. Ofer mentorship and guidance to the overall team members.
• Represent the company in client and industry meetings and presentations.
• Oversee the development and implementation of digital media strategies, including day-to-day operations ensuring it’s aligned with the digital direction and pillars.
• Effectively manage resources and work to enhance the skills and capabilities of team members through mentoring and training.
• Develop educational programs to expand clients' digital knowledge and understanding of digital media strategy.
• Possess a comprehensive understanding of digital communications strategy and advertising principles.

Responsibilities

Technical & Product

• Ability to comprehend clients' requirements, pose appropriate inquiries, manage their expectations and devise a plan for utilizing media outlets (including creating a media plan and offering suggestions) in accordance with the client's goals.
• Act as a consultant that understands client requirements able to devise an actionable digital plan built around a multiplatform approach and in accordance with the client's goals.
• Collaborates with various departments and teams to increase opportunities for cross-selling and discover ways to establish partnerships, such as through media, data, and content, within the organization and with clients.
• Has a thorough understanding of all Publicis Media products and services and is able to clearly and confidently explain their features and benefits to clients in a proficient manner.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret data and market research. Use the data available for driving governance across all markets in the MEA region.
• Expert in industry trends and best practices.
• Strong understanding of digital media laws and regulations. Proficient knowledge of digital media and emerging technologies.
• Proficient in the use of MS Office 365 software suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, etc.).
• Expert level knowledge of and experience with various media planning and buying tools and platforms, such as Z/X Plan, Statex, Global Web Index (GWI), Euromonitor, World Advertising Research Centre (WARC), Similar Web, etc.
• Expert knowledge of various industry digital planning tools such as DV360, Google Ads, Meta Business Manager, Snap Chat Ads Manager, X Ads Manager, TikTok Ads Manager.
• Expert commercial acumen, delivering and driving ROI force for both business partners and agency whilst being both efficient and effective and in line with set internal & external KPIs.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, strong selling skills, strong numeracy, literacy and accuracy.
• Proficient project management and organizational skills.
• Ensure internal and external marketing of the agency's work in regional and international awards.
• Contribute valuable ideas, opinions and feedback and communicate in an open and candid manner.
• Monitor day-to-day aspects of junior employees' work to ensure high quality output.
• Lead by example and inspire others to undertake challenging tasks and projects.
• Carry out appraisals for the team and proactively manage team motivation and growth.
• Provide on-the-job training and learning opportunities for junior employees.
• Be a strong team player within Account/Planning teams, Buying and specialist teams.
• Undertake additional projects beyond client responsibilities as requested, such as help on new business or analysis for regional offices.

Business acumen and Operational Efficiency

• Proficient understanding of the advertising and digital media industry and the role of media planning within it.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, clients, and stakeholders, with strong project management skills and the ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, and work under pressure.
• Knowledge of how to measure ROI from media plans.
• Ability to manage internal teams and external vendors and agencies.
• Strong understanding of budgeting and forecasting and a strong understanding of business strategy.
• Strong media knowledge of the market, consumer, and media research available.
• Expert communication abilities to interpret client objectives.
• Strong ability to train and develop analytical skills in staff.
• Assist & develop team members capabilities including crafting a career growth plan for them.
• Work closely with Buying and Finance team to provide investment briefs, oversee implementation plans, address any issues with ongoing plans and report on media investments.
• Responsible for overseeing and ensuring smooth functioning of relationships with clients, suppliers, and other departments.
• Quality control and adjustment to ensure seamless and compliant operation.
• Proactively involved in companywide initiatives as appropriate to the role.
• Comprehensive knowledge of all specialist teams and ability to sell relevant services to clients.
• Sound understanding of trading issues and how they impact digital media strategy.

Innovative and Analytical mindset

• Ability to think strategically, creatively, and analytically.
• Proven ability to identify new opportunities and develop effective solutions.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to innovate and improve current processes.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Strong team player and leadership skills.
• Ability to analyse organizational strengths and weaknesses, combine that with knowledge of the industry, market and organization to develop long-term strategy.

People and Leadership

• Capable of developing and sharing a strategic vision that others can aspire and commit to, having the confidence to adjust and adapt in the dynamic world.
• Able to use storytelling to connect with internal and external stakeholders in a compelling manner to influence and inspire.
• Able to handle complex issues and make decisions even when missing information.
• Able to proactively develop meaningful relationships with key decision makers across functions.
• Accepts responsibility for client problems, manages conflict and actively works to solve issues internally and externally.
• Able to build succession plans as well as grow and mentor future talent.
• Encourages others to value difference, collaboration and positive spirit while getting the best out of their diverse teams.
• Listens and proactively seeks views from others to create an environment that is transparent and comfortable for others to share.
• Able to understand, inspire and motivate their team to pursue goals and deliver beyond their beliefs.
• Able to assess ideas and people on merit alone, without bias or favouritism and gives recognition when due.
• Capable of coaching and supporting others by aligning career expectations, defining success criteria and providing actionable, open and constructive feedback.
• Capable of persuading others with integrity by understanding their motivations and identifying their concerns and work toward solving them.
• Able to handle complex messages and can convey issues to facilitate others' understanding.
• Able to manage multiple viewpoints to build consensus and create positive outcomes for all stakeholders.
• Initiates and leads open conversations with internal and external stakeholders to build trust and ensures long term influence, partnership and support.
• Empowers individuals to solve problems and creates opportunities for others to grow and demonstrate their learning agility.
• Capable of breaking down silos to enable cross collaboration by leveraging expertise resulting in cross-selling across different Groupe verticals and practices.
• Able to encourage their team to evolve processes and improve collaboration to drive efficiencies, quality and effectiveness.
• Steers teams on key-client’s strategies and ensures delivery of a superior output.
• Drives a culture of trust with peers, clients and other stakeholders.

Self

• Showcases agility and ability to adapt to different situations based on past experiences, feedback and industry changes.
• Can set high impact objectives and goes above and beyond to exceed performance.
• Demonstrates the Growth Mindset and is capable of taking ownership of personal development to continuously evolve and futureproof their capabilities.
• Able to constructively challenge the status quo and take risks to challenge internal and external perspectives.
• Approaches situations and individuals with honesty, integrity, transparency and humbleness.
• Able to stay resilient and maintain drive and a positive outlook when faced with challenges.
• Actively listens and is receptive to others' feedback on performance.
• Able to take justified risks when appropriate and takes accountability and responsibility when things don’t go as planned.
• An early identifier of change, able to proactively develop and share plans to seize the opportunity.
• Acts ethically and makes ethical decisions in line with local regulations and contracts, even in the face of ethical challenges.
• Able to listen to other people in a way that they feel understood and is respectful of others.
• Capable of making timely decision that consider different factors in ambiguous circumstances, considering impacts internally and externally.
• Able to build initiatives despite doubts or resistance from others to deliver strategic impact.
• Able to promote, champion and model wellbeing to sustain high performance.

Education and experience required

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, advertising, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in a digital media planning or related role.
• Proven ability to lead and manage teams of planning professionals. Strong organizational skills, team player, ability to multitask, and work under pressure.
• Experience in business development and industry representation.
• Digital Certifications across the major platforms, including Meta (FB & IG), Google, Snap Chat, Twitter & TikTok, in addition to in depth understanding in industry developments & initiatives I.e.: commerce, Metaverse, NFTs, etc.