Senior Account Director

Senior Account Director, M&C Saatchi World Services (Singapore)We are a specialist division of M&C Saatchi.Our aim is to harness the power of cutting-edge marketing, communications, and creativity, so that they become key tenets of social and behaviour change activity throughout the International Development sector.Together with our local partners we are focussed on tackling some of humanity's most challenging and important problems, in fragile states and developing countries.If you are looking for a career with purpose, fascinating topics, and travel, that will challenge you and develop your skill set, we would love to hear from you.Role Responsibilities:Work on a range of social change communications projects on behalf of third sector organisations.Support all aspects of our existing work, and any other contracts that become active over the course of employment, to ensure project delivery at the highest quality possible, on time and within budget.Assist the Business Director, Regional Director, and others in the wider team on project delivery. Help should encompass all aspects of a communications campaign life cycle and the agency at large.MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIESStrategyClearly understand the broader strategy on the sector in which you work, and take an active role in shaping the individual project briefs with your strategist.Be familiar with research insights, previous campaign evaluation and the impact that has on live projects. Be able to talk confidently and clearly about strategic issues and considerations with your clients and team.Take an active interest in the sector and any issues or current affairs that may impact the strategy, including an understanding of different communications models and channels– and proactively share your point of view.Work in close partnership with both your strategists and Account Management team to help set the strategic direction of the projects that you work on. Ensure that all work is on brief.Be seen as the strategic partner of the client, helping them to navigate their business challenges and offering fresh opinions and insights that unlock new opportunities.The WorkTake active responsibility for the quality and consistency of our creative output, always pushing to be even better. Help inspire and shape the work to ensure it is always on brief.Be confident in having healthy and constructive debate with your strategy, and creative colleagues, and present to clients in a manner that is clear and articulate. Can sustain debates and discussions about the work in a way that is constructive and intelligent.Be bold, and lead by example by sharing your passion for good work. Continuously seek to inspire your team by show proactivity and capability. Be a completely ‘safe pair of hands’ who can oversee production, including managing timings, budgets, quality control of delivery, spotting out of scope projects or potential new, more productive ways of working.The AgencyOversee all large-scale production i.e., film, digital and integrated campaigns with the support of your account management team.Be confident in preparing budget proposals for review with your Regional Director and be prepared to discuss them with your clients.Constantly keep one eye on the wider industry and stay familiar with the latest trends and debates taking place. Monitor the heartbeat of the target audiences and media environment.Take the more junior members of the department under your wing, particularly those on your team. Helping them to get to grips with their role, to become part of the agency culture and, where relevant, inducting them on your business.Be kind, generous, and enthusiastic member of your team.RelationshipsHave established, strong relationships with your clients. You should clearly show your knowledge of the region and the sector, ensuring that they trust implicitly that you'll to keep their interests at heart.Be trusted by your team and client by demonstrating your expert knowledge and management of the production process.Forge strong relationships with your strategy and creative teams by working hand-in-glove with them, representing their views to the client and through demonstrating your knowledge of the issues, geographies, and target audiences.Business ImpactEnsure resources are used efficiently and intelligently by planning ahead. Anticipate client requests and feedback; strive to exceed their expectations before they have even thought of them.Monitor how the processes are working on the account and if there are any issues, suggest new ways of working.Constantly be on the lookout for opportunities and work with your Regional Director to develop proposals. Be confident in presenting them to the client and comfortable to negotiate where necessary.Be effective at managing up, as well as down, actively developing the more junior members of the team and ensuring the more senior members of your team can relax, knowing you have the day-to-day management of the account or project covered.Be comfortable having difficult conversations with both the team internally and, following sense-checking with your team, and the client. Follow your instincts on what is right.Situational Awareness:Build on an in-depth understanding of the media and political environment in the Southeast Asian context in order to understand the wider risk factors and adapt decisions accordingly.Knowledge and ExpertiseEssential:Knowledge of, and experience in, the media industry, creative production, and media dissemination.Knowledge of Southeast Asia communications tools and trends.A firm interest and understanding of geo-politics and International Relations.Desirable:Knowledge of behaviour change communications.Knowledge of Strategic Communications.Experience and Qualifications and Core Skills:Essential:Experience in a similar working environment.Fluent in written and spoken English.Practical understanding of commercial operations.Excellent oral and written communications skills (English).Proficient in all components of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel).Demonstrable liaison skills across the many sectors normally associated with working in developing countries.Desirable:Experience of managing media projects or communications campaigns.Experience of working with Government(s) or third sector organisations.Fluency in Southeast Asia language.Cultural knowledge of Southeast Asia.Undergraduate degree in Politics, History, International Relations, Media, or a similar/related topic.Additional Key Qualities:Excellent communication skills to enable him/her to support work with senior stakeholders and to understand client requirements.Understanding of the company’s culture and business area.Sense of responsibility to towards the organisation’s reputation.Ability to travel and work independently.Forward leaning attitude to support the team and for involvement in high-profile and developmental projects.Willingness to learn and take part in a comprehensive training and development program for transferable, communications specific skills.Anticipation of challenges and show of initiative across all projects.