VML & Ogilvy | Business Director, Japan

JOB OVERVIEW:

Business Director (BD) is a leader amongst many stakeholders, including clients, internal account, creative, cross domains. S/he is a key driver of business stability as well as growth.

BD is wholly responsible for an assigned portfolio of clients, new business and staff. Within this portfolio, BD has full P&L and revenue delivery responsibilities. Beyond financial accountability, BD is responsible for the quality of agency output, both strategically and creatively.

BD works closely with senior management on the overall strategic direction of the agency and day-to-day agency management. S/he is involved in new business development, talent development and staff coaching. S/he forms strong working relationships with the senior people of VOJ.

BD has a strong understanding of brand management, strategic planning, customer engagement, and customer management, and develops new business as well as grows existing business.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Client Management

• With the Client Group (CG) leader, responsible for total revenues and direct contributions to the accounts in your group
• Work with relevant parties to deliver financial targets and control costs
• With the CG leader to develop the yearly business plan and monthly dialogue reports for all key accounts
• Independently and in partnership with the appropriate internal partners, develop, refine and implement a business development strategy
• Manage and ensure quality of client services
• Manage key client briefs, projects and requests, including the refinement of the above
• The typical day-to-day management of clients and their requests including presentations, documentation, client activity administration, etc.
• Present and pitch our services to potential clients in a competitive context
• Identify and develop new business opportunities
• Identify and deliver new business activities that augment and/or expand VOJ services
• Maintain regular dialog with CG’s senior leadership to maintain the strategic relationship
• Understand CG’s business model and business challenges on a regular basis
• Manage CG’s expectations especially during planning stages, in order to ensure they are aligned with VOJ’s deliverables and quality

Strategy

• Provide account planning and strategic support to key clients, demonstrating sound strategic planning capabilities, including brand planning, digital engagement planning, and communication planning
• Advise clients in the development of successful customer management strategies
• General business planning and marketing strategy advice
• Understand industry/market trends and the success factors critical to the organization’s long-term sustainability and competitiveness
• Understand the offering of VOJ’s 6 Capabilities
• Develop a strategic plan based on a vision and mission and translate the strategy into a business plan and tactics
• Modify business plans based on changing business conditions

Creative Leadership

• Passionate about good ideas, nurture the ideas of others
• Demonstrate enthusiasm for the creative industry in general and bring curiosity and creativity to daily work
• Inspire team members and help generate “Big Ideas” with legs, ideas that are effective and sell for the brand
• Understand the importance and integrity of the creative product
• Earn the trust and respect of creative colleagues
• Give good direction and feedback; contribute ideas; push for better work
• Challenge clients to accept our best ideas and then sell them well
• Help build a place where creativity thrives, and big ideas are expected

Leadership & People Management

• Establish himself/herself as a role model
• Have a vision and get excited about the future and all it may bring; see possibilities rather than impossibilities
• Able to share his/her vision and excitement for change with others
• Identify good talents, inspire people to want to work for/follow him/her
• Have an inspiring and approachable style of leadership, strive to make things better
• Respect and believe in others, strive to bring out their inner greatness, ensure the development and appropriate training of team members, and build an efficient team with high morale
• Make and take responsibility for, and demonstrate commitment to appropriate decisions in a timely manner, esp. when significant information is incomplete and/or ambiguous
• Have a broad perspective and be open to varied options
• Abide by the WPP Code of Business Conduct

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience in communications or a related field, with a strong preference for experience within the advertising or marketing industry.
• Demonstrated experience in leading, mentoring, and managing high-performing teams.
• Proven track record of leadership excellence and success in building and retaining talent.
• Exceptional verbal communication and presentation skills, with the ability to confidently engage and influence high-level executives internally and externally.
• Highly goal-oriented, organized, and dedicated approach to all aspects of work.
• Strong understanding of P&L management, financial acumen, and revenue generation strategies.
• In-depth knowledge of brand management, strategic planning, customer engagement, and customer management principles.
• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Advertising, Media, Digital, Public Relations, or a closely related field are plus.