Senior Account Director

Company Description

 

At Saatchi & Saatchi, we believe NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE. We value FREEDOM, BRAVERY, IMAGINATION, and COLLABORATION. We unravel business problems with world-changing ideas. We dig for the truth, apply innovation & creativity, then actualize to world-class standards. We’re results-obsessed.

Job Description

This is a leadership role in the truest sense. You’re not just running accounts — you’re shaping partnerships, driving growth, and setting the standard for how we think, work and deliver.

 

You lead from the front: with clarity, confidence and a strong point of view. You know how to balance creativity, commerciality and client ambition — and bring people with you while doing it.

What you’ll do

Own the partnership

• Lead the day-to-day relationship across your client portfolio
• Act as the trusted senior advisor and “go-to” across all aspects of the business
• Build strong, influential relationships with senior stakeholders
• Navigate complex challenges with confidence and clarity

Drive the business

• Take accountability for the overall success of your accounts — creatively, commercially and operationally
• Identify growth opportunities and unlock new revenue streams
• Contribute to and lead business development initiatives
• Constantly look for smarter ways to deliver value and impact

Shape strategy & creative direction

• Lead strategic thinking across your client portfolio
• Articulate clear, compelling strategies that deliver real business outcomes
• Partner closely with creative teams to elevate and strengthen ideas
• Ensure all work is insight-led, on strategy and best-in-class

Lead the operation

• Oversee delivery across multiple workstreams, ensuring excellence at every stage
• Ensure efficient processes, workflows and systems are in place
• Maintain visibility across all projects, risks and opportunities
• Champion high standards of quality, accuracy and execution

Own the numbers

• Manage overall account financial performance — revenue, profitability and forecasting
• Oversee budgets, scopes and financial reporting
• Ensure commercial discipline across all work
• Treat client investment with care and accountability

Lead and inspire

• Build, lead and develop a high-performing team across disciplines
• Coach and mentor Account Directors, Managers and Executives
• Create an environment where people feel supported, trusted and motivated
• Set the tone — positive, ambitious and solutions-focused

What you bring

• 8+ years’ experience in account management within a creative agency
• Proven experience managing senior clients and complex portfolios
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to influence at a senior level
• Commercial acumen and financial management expertise
• Excellent leadership and team development capability
• Confidence presenting, negotiating and driving decisions
• Strong understanding of integrated marketing and production processes

How you show up

• You’re accountable — you own outcomes, not just outputs
• You’re influential — people trust your thinking and follow your lead
• You’re strategic — you see the bigger picture and connect the dots
• You’re commercial — you understand how work drives business
• You’re inspiring — you bring energy, clarity and direction

What success looks like

• Strong, trusted and long-term client partnerships
• High-performing, engaged and growing teams
• Work that is strategically sharp and creatively outstanding
• Healthy, growing accounts with strong commercial performance
• A reputation as a leader who elevates both people and work

Why Saatchi & Saatchi

Because this is where you lead the charge.

You’ll have real influence — on the work, the relationships and the future of the business.

All within a culture that backs bold thinking, rewards ambition and believes in making the impossible happen.

Nothing Is Impossible.

 

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.