Group Account Director

Company Description

Australian Business Awards - Employer of Choice 2023, 2022 & 2021 🏆HR Awards - Excellence Awardee, Employer of Choice 2022 🏆AFR BOSS Best Places to Work - 2022 🏆HRD Employer of Choice - 2021Welcome to Publicis Groupe ANZ.

Here you will get an inside look at life within our network, including the brilliant people working across our agency brands. Publicis Groupe is a world leader in marketing communication and digital business transformation, driven through the alchemy of data, creativity, media, and technology.

Our connected platform of companies and capabilities is more than an operational framework.

It’s a cultural model we've built to unite our people in a collaborative way of thinking and working. Publicis Groupe offers its clients seamless access to the expertise of its 80,000 talents across 100 countries globally.

In Australia, our powerhouse of marketing capabilities stretches across creative agencies (Saatchi & Saatchi, Leo, Publicis Worldwide), media agencies (Starcom, Zenith, Spark Foundry, Performics, Atomic 212), Razorfish, Digitas, Epsilon, Arc, Prodigious, PXP, PMX, and PR (Herd MSL). We also have Publicis Sapient driving digital business transformation for our clients.

Overview

Atomic 212°

At Atomic 212°, we’re not your average media agency. We started as a performance media and search marketing specialist, but we’ve evolved into an award-winning agency that combines creativity, technology, and data to deliver exceptional results across all media channels. From big-picture strategies to granular campaign execution, accountability and innovation are in our DNA. We work with major global and Australian brands across industries, delivering solutions that inspire and perform.    

Now part of Publicis Groupe, you will join one of the world’s most progressive and dynamic modern communications businesses and enjoy the benefits that come with the network – from extensive Learning & Development opportunities, additional leave benefits, to a strong culture of connection and collaboration across our entire network.

Who are we looking for?

We're seeking a strategic and ambitious Group Account Director with a creative mindset to drive strong partnerships and innovative media solutions for our clients. You will become a pivotal force in shaping the future media strategy of local blue-chip clients, whilst having opportunities for growth and development, leveraging Atomic’s legacy of cutting-edge, award-winning approaches.

You will uncover data-led insights and apply econometric modelling to inform media strategy, challenging clients constructively and credibly to drive impact. Our dynamic culture thrives on collaboration and creativity, led by industry veterans dedicated to both your personal and professional growth. You’ll enjoy significant autonomy in managing your clients, offering the chance to shape strategy, manage a high-performing team, and partner directly with senior leadership to drive growth and innovation.

Reporting into our General Manager, this is your chance to have a direct impact on client success and make bold media recommendations that drive real results. We are a tight-knit team with a flat and fluid structure, in this role, you will lead strategic planning across all channels—TV, radio, OOH, digital, social, and performance as you build and nurture relationships with clients and stakeholders, and represent the voice of the client internally, ensuring their business priorities are understood and championed.

What will your day to day look like?

• Partner directly with leaders in the business to drive business growth – you will play a key role in shaping strategy and execution of new business pitches and growth opportunities.
• Use your excellent relationship management skills to build trusted and successful partnerships with clients, stakeholders, and media. You are a pro at handling challenging situations and moving/leading constructively towards solutions, with a cool head.
• Lead a small team across client service and media planning, helping to mentor and develop talent, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence.
• Manage team resourcing, workflow, and performance to ensure delivery against KPIs.
• Identify and pursue additional revenue opportunities across existing accounts.
• Financial Management - ensure accurate forecasting, invoicing, and financial reporting. You will monitor profitability and ensure alignment with contract hours and deliverables.
• Work closely with multidisciplinary teams including Creative to deliver integrated, high-impact campaigns.
• Lead interagency collaboration and ensure seamless communication across stakeholders.
• Set the pace and direction for the client team, ensuring high-quality, on-brand delivery.
• Lead brainstorming sessions and inspire big ideas that push boundaries.
• Stay ahead of media trends and share thought leadership across the agency.

What will set you up for success?

• 8+ years in media, advertising, or integrated agency environments.
• Proven experience managing large, complex accounts—insurance or travel industry experience is a plus.
• Strong strategic planning skills across both traditional and digital channels.
• Exceptional client relationship and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to effectively delegate tasks to deliver on deadlines and maximise productivity within the agency, as well as with stakeholders and media.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills – you confident, credible, and collaborative.
• Advanced knowledge of media planning and buying tools, with the ability to extract insights.
• Strong media buying/negotiation skills to maximise value delivered for clients.
• Excellent financial acumen and experience managing budgets, forecasts, and profitability.
• Excellent knowledge of the media landscape and the impact of changes to media consumption trends.
• Strong understanding of econometric modelling and data-led strategy. You have deep understanding of the role and tactics available within all media channels (traditional, digital and content/creative) and advanced knowledge of all media research, planning and buying tools.
• Experience in pitching and new business development (or an appetite to learn).
• Ability to manage multiple clients simultaneously with an emphasis on solution derived client service.
• Passionate about mentoring and team development.
• Curious, analytical, and solutions focused.
• Strong understanding of all media channels, with the ability to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each channel and the impact these have in delivering client objectives.

Why Join Atomic 212°?

• Be part of a bold, evolving agency known for innovation and industry leadership.
• Collaborate with passionate, talented colleagues on a variety of exciting projects.
• Gain exposure to major clients and industry-leading campaigns.
• Thrive in a supportive culture where your voice and ideas are valued.

If you’re ready to elevate your career and make an impact in brand communications, apply now and become part of the Atomic 212° story!

For more information visit www.atomic212.com.au

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Additional Information

Publicis Groupe benefits: Be a part of the Publicis Groupe family, recent winner of the Employer of Choice Awards and one of the world's most progressive and dynamic modern communications businesses. You can learn more about us at www.publicisgroupeanz.com.

Enjoy all the perks that come with our network offering:

• A comprehensive Wholeself program supporting physical, mindful, and financial wellbeing.
• A creative, lively, and rewarding office environment where people love working with each other, supported by our Publicis Liberté flexibility approach — "working your way with us."
• Access to our Global AI Platform Marcel, connecting Publicis Groupe employees with opportunities for career mobility and collaboration across our global network.
• Extensive Learning & Development opportunities including more than 15,000 learning programs via our online learning platform, Marcel Classes.
• A culture of open feedback and support to reach your goals through our Career Conversations program.
• A committed Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion strategy driven through our Viva Women, Égalité, enABLE, EmbRACE, and Écologique committees.
• Leave benefits including Birthday Leave, Flexible Public Holidays, and an additional 5 days of leave after 2 years of service.
• Work Your World program enabling employees the flexibility to work from anywhere in the world for up to 6 weeks per year.
• Parental leave policy with up to 18 weeks based on tenure, paid primary carer leave, secondary carer swap, and Cub Care leave.
• Access to counsellors, psychologists, and professionals through Sonder, an all-in-one digital wellbeing technology platform designed to support psychological, medical & safety needs.
• A workplace that stands together to provide a more open, supportive, and recovery-forward culture for all employees with life-threatening illnesses. Read more about our Working With Cancer Pledge: https://workingwithcancerpledge.com/
• Proud partners of Diversity Council Australia, Pride in Diversity, Family Friendly Workplaces, Supply Nation, and the Australian Disability Network.

If you don't tick every box in this ad, please don't rule yourself out. Research suggests that women and other people in underrepresented groups tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. We focus on hiring people who share our values of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, fearlessness, and integrity rather than ticking boxes — so if this role resonates with you, please apply.

Diversity. Inclusion. Equity. More than just words; these are part of our DNA. At Publicis Groupe, we are committed to the inclusion and recognition of all people regardless of race, age, culture, ability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, and religious affiliation. We believe that to deliver the best solutions to our clients, our people need to reflect the diverse communities in which our clients operate. We value diversity and the skills, knowledge, and experience that difference brings to our culture and solutions.

Uniqueness is powerful; without it, we wouldn't be where we are today. So be you — we like it that way.

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for people with disability or those that require additional support throughout the application process. If you need any assistance or adjustments, please contact us via [email protected]; your personal information will be kept confidential.