Business Director Strategy & Insights

About Publicis Groupe Middle East

Publicis Groupe Middle East, through its network Leo Burnett Worldwide, operates with the core belief that creativity can transform human behavior. This approach, known as HumanKind, focuses on serving true human needs and purpose-driven marketing. Leo Burnett Worldwide is one of the largest agency networks globally, with 96 offices and nearly 10,000 employees. The network has received significant industry recognition, including 55 Lions at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity in 2012, and was named “Network of the Year” by YoungGuns, Dubai Lynx, and MENA Cristal Awards.

Role Overview: Business Director Strategy & Insights

Publicis Groupe Middle East is seeking a Business Director, Strategy & Insights, to join the team in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This full-time role requires over 10 years of experience and involves leading strategy for key clients, mentoring strategic talent, and contributing to the Groupe's "Power of One" vision. The successful candidate will focus on new business acquisition, driving creative work, and achieving industry awards.

Key Responsibilities: Technical & Product Focus

• Utilize and advocate the Publicis Groupe FUEL platform, directing the team to do the same.
• Participate actively in Groupe and Agency OPEN briefs with inspiring springboards, and guide the team accordingly.
• Deconstruct past award submissions to identify successful story components and discuss findings consistently.
• Develop proactive client briefs based on qualified opportunities and direct the team in this effort.
• Initiate and direct client Effectiveness awards entries and submissions regionally and globally, ensuring team involvement.
• Inspire creative teams for client Creative awards.
• Focus on delivering revelatory insights rather than mere facts or observations, and direct the team to do the same.
• Persistently improve the craft of strategic thinking behind briefs, guiding the team in this development.
• Attend senior-level internal and external trainings promptly.
• Direct the team to explore cultural trends for new uses of technology, data, and design to integrate innovative thinking into strategic work.
• Ensure the team builds focused, insightful, and inspiring connections plans with creative briefs.
• Create opportunities for primary and secondary research for both clients and the agency.
• Identify and pursue large-scale opportunities to expand current client relationships and secure new business with Groupe leadership.
• Lead agency new business pitches, creating impact through detailed and distinctive strategic thinking to secure wins.

Business Acumen & Operational Efficiency

• Serve as a primary knowledge resource within the agency for client categories and business.
• Build knowledge of key technology and emerging vendors to integrate innovative solutions for clients.
• Deliver persuasive and effective presentations.
• Unearth and direct client workshops, actively participating in them.
• Direct the monitoring of social, cultural, and technological trends and their impact on attitudes and behaviors.
• Direct team participation in client-conducted research.
• Direct consistent monitoring of every campaign's performance for clients across brand, business, and media, and develop optimization plans for future campaigns.
• Possess knowledge of Publicis Groupe offerings and solutions beyond the core agency focus, integrating them into existing client businesses.
• Own client relationships, maintain dialogue for day-to-day success, and proactively identify new opportunities for additional business.
• Inspire marketing and communication solutions that are original, innovative, and aid clients in transforming and growing their business.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor strategic talent.
• Proven track record in managing and directing strategy for top-tier clients.
• Experience in new business acquisition and contributing to award-winning creative work.

Work Environment

This is a full-time position based in Riyadh, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, within a dynamic agency network focused on purpose-driven marketing and creative excellence.