Account Director - Automotive Brand

Publicis Groupe · Johannesburg

Company description

Founded in 1926, Publicis Groupe is now the second-largest communications group in the world. Known for its world-renowned creativity, best in class technology, digital and consulting expertise, Publicis Groupe is the only one in the industry able to best accompany its clients in their digital business transformation journey-anywhere in the world.

Overview

The Account Director is the senior client lead responsible for the strategic, commercial, and operational success of a major automotive account.

The role partners with senior client stakeholders and integrated agency teams to deliver effective brand, retail, digital, social, dealer, and launch campaigns that support both brand health and commercial objectives.

The position requires strong automotive category knowledge, an understanding of market dynamics and customer journeys, and the ability to translate client business priorities into clear agency direction and excellent creative work.

Please note this is an in-office 5 days per week role.

Responsibilities

1. Client Leadership & Strategic Partnership

Act as the senior day-to-day client lead and trusted advisor.
Build strong relationships with Marketing Directors, Brand Managers, Product Managers and Dealer Network stakeholders.
Understand the client’s business drivers, sales targets, product plans, and competitive landscape.
Influence client decision-making through strategic recommendations.
Lead quarterly business reviews and annual planning sessions.
Drive client satisfaction and long-term partnership growth.

2. Automotive Brand Stewardship

Maintain a deep understanding of product launches, retail promotions, dealer communications, customer lifecycle marketing, ownership, and aftersales journeys.
Ensure campaigns align with brand guidelines, positioning, and commercial objectives.
Support vehicle launch strategies and integrated go-to-market planning.

3. Integrated Campaign Leadership

Lead the development and delivery of integrated campaigns across ATL, digital, social media, PR, experiential, dealer marketing, and content production.
Translate business challenges into clear strategic and creative briefs.
Ensure creative work addresses both brand and sales objectives.
Champion innovation and identify opportunities to improve campaign effectiveness.

4. Team & Agency Leadership

Ensure effective workload allocation and resource planning.
Foster strong collaboration between Client Service, Strategy, Creative, Production, Media, and Digital teams.
Guide teams with clarity, accountability, and a focus on high-quality delivery.

5. Operational & Commercial Excellence

Ensure flawless execution across projects and campaigns.
Maintain quality control throughout the delivery process.
Manage timelines, risks, and stakeholder expectations.
Resolve issues proactively and efficiently.
Ensure compliance with agency processes and governance.
Support revenue, margin, and profitability management for the account.

Qualifications

Key Skills & Competencies

Strategic brand and business leadership, with the ability to connect client objectives to agency delivery.
Executive-level client management, presentation, influencing, and relationship-building skills.
Strong automotive market understanding, including dealer networks, launches, retail activity, CRM, ownership, and aftersales communications.
Integrated campaign leadership across ATL, digital, media, social, content, production, PR, and experiential channels.
Commercial acumen, including financial accountability, revenue management, and margin awareness.
Multi-disciplinary team leadership, resource planning, and collaborative ways of working.

Experience Required
Essential

8–12+ years' experience in a creative, advertising, or integrated communications agency.
Minimum 3–5 years in a senior client leadership role.
Proven management of large-scale integrated campaigns.

Highly Preferred

Automotive experience across OEMs, dealer networks, vehicle launches, retail campaigns, and aftersales marketing.
Experience working with regional or multinational automotive brands.
Experience leading integrated agency teams across ATL, Digital, and Media.

Additional information

What Success Looks Like

The client regards the Account Director as a strategic business partner.
Revenue and profitability growth are consistent and well managed.
Client needs are anticipated and converted into meaningful business growth opportunities.
The Account Director operates at a level ready for progression to Group Account Director.

PLEASE NOTE:
Publics Groupe is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and prohibits any forms of Discrimination or Harassment. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our employees in line with our Employment Equity Plan. All appointments will be based on qualifications, experience and best fit but preference will be given to all affirmative action candidates or designated groups.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should you not hear from us within 2 weeks after submitting your application, please consider your application as unsuccessful.