Group Director, Business Leadership (Media) - Maternity Cover FTC

About Us 

Initiative unlocks business growth for the world’s most ambitious brands. We believe in the power of media to reshape our industry and orchestrate a brand’s entire consumer experience, by balancing both what unites people and what makes them different.  

When brands unite people in culture, they build Fame, and when brands connect individuals to their unique journeys, they build customer Flow.  

Media responsibility is at the forefront of everything we do, whether it’s creating media plans that reflect the diversity of our communities, promote brand safety, and foster sustainability.  

Our agency celebrates diversity in an inclusive environment where all of our 6,000+ strong talent across 90+ markets feel seen, heard, and valued. Our vision is to create not only a better media company, but also a better media industry, and maybe even a better world.

Role Description 

The Group Director, Business Leadership is a senior leadership role, managing across an integrated team (Business Leadership, Strategy, Media Planning and Partnerships). As a member of management, you exemplify our behaviors, drive quality work and motivate your fully integrated team by creating a positive and collaborative environment. You work in partnership and collaboration with the discipline leads and across the SBUs, to ensure comprehensive, business-appropriate solutions for clients.

You are the day-to-day leader and driver for the client and the internal team. Your daily insights will keep your CEO – and your full Initiative team - ahead of the game, with your category expertise, status updates and proactive guidance. You are the authority on the client business to the agency and an authority on Initiative and the SBUs to the clients. You translate the client’s challenges and opportunities, both internally and externally, and lead the development of solutions that achieve the goals. The Group Director manages the profitability of your group of accounts and has strong commercial acumen skills.

Key Responsibilities

Client Leadership

• Act as the day‑to‑day client lead and trusted advisor

• Drive high‑quality work and flawless delivery across all outputs

• Lead the creation of proposals, recommendations, and strategic points of view

• Oversee reporting, budgeting, approvals and billing with accuracy and timeliness

• Build strong relationships with Strategy, Design, Partnerships and SBU teams

• Challenge and inspire clients to innovate while managing expectations professionally

• Strengthen partnerships with clients’ wider agency networks

• Contribute to quarterly business reviews

Internal Collaboration

• Translate client needs into clear direction for Strategy, Comms Design and Partnerships

• Ensure all solutions align with client objectives and KPIs

• Educate teams and leadership on client business, culture and industry trends

• Involve senior leadership in key client moments

• Foster an open, collaborative team environment

• Support team development through feedback, coaching and performance management

• Partner with discipline leads to shape goals, evaluations and career paths

Commercial Management

• Deliver against agreed performance KPIs

• Manage team resourcing and workload allocation

• Keep leadership updated on utilisation, profitability, fees and scope compliance

• Identify opportunities for organic growth across accounts

• Ensure annual financial targets are met across Initiative and Mediabrands SBUs

New Business

• Support new business pitches and opportunities as needed

Desired Skills & Experience

• Proven ability to develop and maintain strong professional relationships with clients, colleagues and vendors
• Extensive experience in Marketing and/or Advertising and Media
• Experience in leading, managing and developing a multi-dimensional staff
• Ability to drive projects from conception to completion; project management experience
• Background in consulting, marketing, advertising or integrated communications
• Strong leader, presenter and packager of opportunities
• Strong commercial acumen

Employee Transparency 

At IPG Mediabrands, we celebrate differences and believe this makes us stronger. IPG Mediabrands are an equal-opportunity employer committed to championing an inclusive culture that provides a sense of belonging for all our employees. We do not discriminate against any applicant based on age, disability, race, colour, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, belief, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Please reach out to Ninette at [email protected], if you would like to have a confidential conversation regarding any adjustments that would ensure our recruitment process is accessible for you. Please note requesting a reasonable adjustment will not affect your application.

The Perks 

We aim to provide all our people with a supportive and fun work environment where you can develop your full potential and benefit from the broad range of opportunities within the agency. When you join us, we want to make sure you feel valued – and that you are rewarded for your fantastic work. So, we also offer a range of benefits:

• Flexi–leave, with 25 days annual leave to be taken as minimum. In addition to your holiday entitlement, the office usually closes between Christmas & New Year 
• Free breakfast and free lunch
• Early finish Fridays
• Core Hours (Mon-Thurs, flexible start/finish times)
• Retail discounts
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice car scheme 
• Wellbeing programme, including Headspace & flu jabs 
• Interest free season ticket loan
• Paid time off for Volunteering
• Group Income Protection
• Life Assurance
• Private Medical Insurance or Health Cash Plan (dependent on level)
• Group Personal Pension Plan with matched contributions from 3-6%
• Generous Parental Leave & Pay
• Independent mortgage advice
• Financial education
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free eye tests
• Flexible benefits including Dental, Travel insurance, Cycle to Work, Gym Discounts and many more!