Agency Director

Salary: R 1.2 Million – R 1.3 Million per annum (depending on experience)

Location: Johannesburg (Hybrid)

A fast-paced Johannesburg agency looking for a powerhouse Client Service Director / General Manager to take the wheel of their creative engine. We need an all-rounder who can juggle high-level client strategy with the nuts and bolts of daily operations. You won’t just be managing a team; you’ll be driving the commercial health and cultural heartbeat of a medium-sized agency that thrives on agility.

You will sit at the critical intersection of client development and operational excellence, ensuring every project is profitable and every client relationship is rock-solid. If you have a “builder” mindset and a reputation for turning complex agency challenges into streamlined success stories, this is your opportunity to lead a top-tier creative team into its next phase of growth.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Agency Operations & Strategy

• Develop and implement strategic plans for optimized productivity and organizational effectiveness.
• Oversee day-to-day operations and manage all internal processes to ensure tasks are accomplished effectively.
• Review and improve processes, establishing a highly motivational work environment and implementing innovative changes.
• Maintain complete oversight and accountability for the adherence to company standards for excellence.

Client Strategy & Business Development

• Manage high-level client relationships, providing strategic direction and maintaining strong partnerships.
• Create and implement growth strategies in collaboration with senior leadership.
• Seek out opportunities for expansion and growth by developing new business relationships.
• Create strategic proposals to promote agency services and develop new marketing formats.

Financial & Commercial Management

• Take full accountability for financial performance, including profitability and revenue achievement.
• Create quarterly and annual sales forecasts and manage budgetary and resource allocation plans.
• Monitor adherence to commercial processes and report performance to the Managing Director monthly.
• Provide accurate quarterly reforecasting to ensure the agency meets its financial objectives.

Leadership & People Management

• Recruit, onboard, and train high-performing employees across various departments.
• Supervise, motivate, and hold employees and managers accountable for their performance goals.
• Provide guidance and feedback to help team members strengthen specific knowledge and skill areas.
• Resolve internal staff conflicts efficiently and to the mutual benefit of all involved.

Requirements

• 8-15 years of experience in a similar leadership role within a Creative Agency.
• Proven track record of developing and achieving financial plans, including revenue growth and profit maintenance.
• Strong TTL (Through-the-Line) experience with a heavy lean toward digital strategy and execution.
• Strong working knowledge of operational procedures, HR processes, and financial management.
• Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to manage cross-functional teams and a strong network within the creative industry.
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in business management or a related field.
• A calm, methodical, and solutions-driven mindset with strong decision-making abilities.

Please note: Due to the high volume of applications, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. If you do not hear from us within two weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful at this time. We thank you for your interest in the role and wish you the best in your career search.

Salt is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.