Business Unit Director

Avatar Agency

Gauteng

ZAR 500 000 - 600 000

Job description

The PR Business Unit Director is responsible for leading a high-performing team and overseeing strategic communications and public relations initiatives for a key client in the consumer tech sector. This role requires a strong focus on financial accuracy, revenue generation, and billing management to drive measurable client satisfaction and organic growth results. As the primary client lead, the Director ensures that all agency services meet and exceed client expectations, contributing to sustainable business growth and team development.

Duties

Client leadership and strategic guidance
- Serve as the primary client lead, managing and advising the client’s strategic communications objectives to support business goals.
- Establish strong relationships with senior-level stakeholders, positioning the agency as a trusted partner.
- Develop and execute PR strategies that align with the client’s growth objectives, focusing on innovation, market insights, and cultural awareness within the African region.

Team leadership and Development
- Lead and mentor a team of 10+ PR professionals, promoting a collaborative and high-performance environment.
- Set clear objectives and conduct regular performance evaluations to ensure the team meets individual and collective goals.
- Support team members with professional development opportunities and foster a culture of accountability, creativity, and excellence.

Campaign Management and Execution
- Oversee the development and execution of proactive campaigns to drive organic revenue, enhancing the client's market position and visibility.
- Ensure all campaigns are delivered on time, within budget, and meet high standards of quality and effectiveness.
- Provide insights and regular reporting on campaign performance.

Financial Management & Billing
- Manage accurate financial record-keeping and billing processes, ensuring invoices are issued on time and aligned with the agreed scope of work.
- Monitor and control project budgets to stay within allocated resources, reporting on financial performance to senior leadership.
- Develop forecasts and financial reports to track account profitability and drive revenue growth opportunities.
- Oversee billing reconciliation, and client approval processes, and maintain 100% billing accuracy across all accounts.

Organic revenue growth
- Identify and develop strategies to generate organic revenue through new PR campaign ideas, upselling opportunities, and additional agency services.
- Present proposals to expand client services, demonstrating the agency's value-add and innovation.
- Work closely with the leadership team to align on revenue targets, supporting new business acquisition and account retention.

Qualifications and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Business, or a related field
Minimum 15 years of PR experience with 5-7 years in a leadership role.
Proven experience with financial management, billing processes, and revenue generation strategies.
Track record of successful PR campaign management in the consumer tech space, ideally within the African market.
Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills with demonstrated leadership ability.

Competencies

Strategic Vision: Ability to align PR strategies with financial goals and client objectives.
Financial Acumen: Skilled in budgeting, accurate billing, and proactive revenue generation.
Client-Focused: Strong client relationship-building skills with a commitment to satisfaction and retention.
Results-Driven: Strong focus on achieving measurable outcomes, including financial growth and campaign success.
Leadership: Ability to lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing team.
Market Knowledge: Expertise in African consumer markets, media trends, and cultural awareness.