Business Director

Our Vision 

Our vision is to inspire brands and people to impact the world. To create big ideas that make a significant contribution to the planet, society, and the bottom line. We believe in today’s world this is the best way for our clients to achieve sustainable growth.    

We achieve this by breaking down the barriers that restrict talent and ideas, we call this Borderless Creativity.          

Which is why our teams work fluidly across five capabilities: Advertising, Consulting, Experience, PR and Influence, and Health. This allows us to not only operate but innovate at the intersection of capabilities and talent.  We believe impact and magic lie at this intersection. Ogilvy scales this by seamlessly connecting and accessing the deep and diverse cultural expertise of 132 offices in 83 countries in a way that celebrates our commitment to inclusion.    

Our mission: We inspire brands and people to impact the world 

How we do it: We innovate and operate at the intersection of people and capabilities  

What we do: Borderless creativity  

The role

As a Business Director at Ogilvy you are leading large, complex projects. You are able to create momentum within your team and on your business to deliver high quality work, and drive growth. 

You are able to think beyond the short term, identifying potential opportunities, risks and solutions for how the team can fulfil or overcome them. 

Building client relationships  

Is a trusted partner and adviser to mid level clients, and well respected and valued by the senior clients. Has a thorough understanding of the client’s business objectives and aspirations and is able provide a sounding board that encourages deeper conversations around potential opportunities.   

Navigates issue resolution with clients and senior stakeholders 

Making work we’re proud of 

Understands that their role is to lead  - and create the conditions for brilliant solutions to appear and thrive. Inputs meaningfully into the creative development process. 

Will proactively identify potential creative opportunities and areas of growth for the business. And can turn this knowledge into a plan of action. Is a creative thinker in the broadest sense – applying that skill to improving the way the business is run, or how to strategically  sell-in work. 

Responsibility & accountability 

Responsibilities extend to a number of projects. Manages a team of people on these, defining their roles and responsibilities and holding them to account for their actions to ensure that the team delivers as required.   

Is comfortable taking decisions on behalf of the agency and team, and does so understanding the ramifications. Is equally comfortable managing up and understands when this is needed.  

Actively demonstrates to the client that they are accountable for the agency's performance, and the relationship. 

Commercial Acumen 

Has an informed view of the commercial implications of both internal decisions and external influences, at a micro (project) and macro (account) level.  

Can maturely engage with clients and internal stakeholders on commercial topics, and problem solve where needed to protect the interests of the agency and the relationship. 

Collaboration 

Demonstrates a proactive and influential approach in ensuring senior stakeholders across the agency are engaged with the  ambition and resource their team requires to support the ambition of work. 

Knowledgeable about how to manage key mid level stakeholders in the client organisation in order to protect and promote the agencies ambitions. 

Problem solving & decision making 

Is able to take a holistic view of the projects or activities they are working on in order to identify future opportunities and risks.  

Equally able to think on their feet and act decisively as required to problem solve fast. Understands where leadership support is needed. 

Role Requirements  

For this role you will need:  

• Global experience working with North America, or South America as priorities but other markets would be considered 
• Experience of working in a global matrix environment with the ability to take the lead with good eye for creativity and attention to detail. 
• Experience of developing and line management of Account Director and/or Account Managers  
• Excellent communication skills to be able to express your views and clarity of thinking when liaising with clients 
• Experience of working across multiple disciplines -  digital, PR, influencer 
• Experience of working with senior clients across different time zones 
• A growth mindset with the ability to spot new and organic opportunities 
• Spanish speaking or an additional language would be an advantage but not essential 
• Ability to manage several projects at once. 
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively across the team and wider agency