Zeno Group is the fiercely independent and global, integrated communications agency, born from PR. We bring together the boldest and brightest talent to help clients across industries and sectors unleash the power of strategic communications. Guided by our "Fearless Pursuit of the Unexpected," we push the boundaries to achieve real business value and societal impact for clients. Winner of the industry’s most coveted awards including the 2024 PRWeek U.S. Outstanding Large Agency of the Year, 2023 PRWeek Purpose Agency of the Year, 2022 PRWeek Global Agency of the Year, 2022 PRovoke Best Large Agency to Work For in North America and a three-time winner of PRWeek’s Best Places to Work. Zeno has also been previously recognized by the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Zeno is a DJE Holdings Company.
Job Description:
In Australia, we embrace a boutique vibe, enhanced by our extensive global network. This unique combination allows you to thrive within an agile team while accessing a wealth of resources for multi-market accounts and tapping into a huge array of global resources. Our diverse clients include global tech, consumer, and B2B brands, as well as local Aussie businesses. We’re looking for someone with a curious nature and a passion for leading corporate and B2B accounts.
Zeno Australia recently won the PR Awards Asia-Pacific 2024: Best Culture of the Year Award. We are purpose-driven and committed to a positive culture that supports and nurtures, while also inspiring everyone to push limits and to embody our Fearless Pursuit of the Unexpected motto. We also offer a benefits package like no other!
About the Job
This is a full-time position located in Sydney CBD, with flexible working from home options two days a week. As an Account Director at Zeno, you will provide senior counsel for account teams and support the Managing Director and Senior Account Director in all operational aspects of our fast-growing business. While driving business development will be part of your role, your strategic mindset, strong financial acumen, and creative thinking will be key to your success. You’ll have a keen eye for identifying new business opportunities as they arise.
You will be working with a team of bright and enthusiastic communicators and a client portfolio comprising professional and financial services, technology, FMCG, and some of the world’s most innovative and fast-growing companies.
B2B and strong corporate comms experience is essential, with the capability to manage campaigns encompassing employee engagement, C-suite executive profiling, and issues management. You will also be confident in driving purpose, sustainability, and social impact programs.
You will need to be able to devise and execute integrated data-led communications programs that support clients in achieving their commercial and reputational objectives. A day in the life could include developing an RFP, managing a team and mentoring, reconciling account budgets, managing servicing levels, running media training workshops, troubleshooting client queries, and a whole lot more.
We are looking for an Account Director who will be a team player and who likes to get things done without drama or ego interfering! Please note that at least six years’ agency experience is essential, with a minimum of two years in an Australian agency. Strong local market and cultural knowledge is required.
This role includes:
Being an effective client strategist who is fully empowered to fulfil and execute your role, and able to lead, support, and inspire your teams
Strategically managing key relationships with client leads at the local, regional, or global level, and growing client revenues
Assisting the Managing Director to achieve team vision, strategy, and business objectives and cascade to the wider team, ensuring enhanced collaboration of the agency’s various communities together
Providing strategic, trusted counsel to clients, while leading and mentoring your team
Day-to-day responsibility over a portfolio of clients, including budget responsibility, strategy, and planning, and managing delivery and execution.
Reviewing client KPIs to ensure account leads deliver KPIs on time and on budget
Contributing to the overall positive culture in the office
Being a passionate people advocate and developer of future talent
Being a positive role model in leadership values and behaviours
Having fun – and helping others enjoy their work too!
Client Focused
Support the Managing Director and wider team to deliver high levels of client satisfaction.
Lead and deliver best practices at all touch points of client service
Ensure delivery of the high-quality solutions within the budget scope and timeframe agreed.
Lead the strategic development of projects and long-term campaigns for clients
Act as an ambassador for integration and be able to upsell any service in the agency
Be a trusted advisor to the senior client's contacts
Talent and Leadership
Be an effective client strategist fully empowered to fulfil and execute your role, and able to support and inspire the team
Develop relationships with key contacts across the Zeno global network
Be a strong people advocate and developer of future talent
Identify, shape, attract, and develop talent across all levels
Retain and develop talent through mentoring, motivational feedback, and learning opportunities
Make decisions whilst considering the needs of the whole agency
Manage teams to maximize performance and productivity
Be a positive role model and a real team player. Get involved - with no task too big or small
Marketing, New Business, and Networking
Lead business development with a focus on brands with purpose and values that align with Zeno’s philosophy
Bring capability to deliver end-to-end new business, from pipeline to pitch-and-win
Undertake proactive and reactive new business strategies to ensure year-on-year growth
Participate in and contribute to internal training offerings and industry opportunities
Network amongst client groups and relevant industry peers
Stay up to date with emerging technologies and trends and demonstrate expert understanding of how they integrate into communication marketing programs
Review and approve new business and new project budgets before submission to the client
Financial Management
Establish achievable revenue growth targets annually. Manage servicing levels of accounts by scoping and resourcing work appropriately
Ensure forecasts are accurate and aligned with monthly resourcing requests: ensure budget allocations are accurately split across the agency per the resourcing plan; alert the Managing Director to any changes to scope or budget as they occur
Ensure the team follows Zeno’s financial policies and procedures, and that your responsibilities in this area are diligently adhered to
Ensure work completed aligns with budgets; identify and address potential for scope creep. Ensure client is aware of any discrepancies in expected deliverables and available budget; work with client to reprioritise work or expand budget as needed
To succeed at Zeno, you need to align with our core values, as these underpin everything we do. We are:
Fearless: We push ourselves and each other into the unexpected
Collaborative: We work together to get somewhere better
Entrepreneurial: We pave the way for our people to make big things happen
Inclusive: We are a place where everyone can be seen and valued as their true, authentic selves
Kind: We communicate openly and directly, always acting with empathy
Ambitious: We aim high, determined to advance our individual and shared goals
We are a TEAM, we always support each other, we lift each other up and help each other succeed.
Checklist
6+ years’ experience, including B2B/Corporate/Fintech expertise
2+ years’ experience in an Australian agency environment
Effective communication – active listening and ability to persuade and negotiate.
Confidence in presenting ideas and providing senior counsel to internal and external audiences.
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
High emotional intelligence
Good judgement and willingness to take risks
Creative and forward-thinking
A passion to tell interesting and insightful stories for our clients supported by solid media, influencer, and stakeholder networks.
Experience leading projects for brands with diverse communications requirements
Independent thinking, courage to challenge the norm, and confidence to generate fresh ideas.
Excellent written skills from pitch response to media release, case study, by-line, and online content production
A genuine passion for the industry we work in, the brands we work with, and looking to grow and learn as part of a driven and ambitious team.
Flexible, team player keen to mentor and nurture junior team members
Positive outlook – ready to set an upbeat, positive tone in the office and online
Fearless, resourceful, and tenacious – able to hit the ground running
Our Culture, Perks, and Values
Awards and client wins aside, it is our culture that really sets us apart from other agencies. We are fiercely protective and supportive of our people, who are our greatest assets. We invest heavily in training and career development, and we also work hard to ensure that work does not take over your life. We set clear boundaries and have many benefits in place to support your well-being.
Benefits for full-time employees include:
Flexible Working
Weekly 3 days in office, 2 days from home (with phone and internet allowance)
Finish at 4.00 pm on Friday year-round
Finish at 1.00 pm every Friday before a public holiday
Leave
Anniversary leave day off
Birthday leave day off
Annual Zeno Day of Play – a day off to have fun
World Mental Health Day day off
Bonus Christmas leave between Christmas and New Year
Training
Zeno Fearless University - internal training modules
Zeno Internal Training sessions - with regional and global leaders
External Training opportunities
Wellbeing
Self-Care Days (when you need to take a day for yourself, no doctor’s note is needed)
Headspace subscription
Employee Assistance Program counseling services
All benefits and rewards are subject to the company policies and procedures, and the time of activation. The Company has the right to make changes or remove any benefits and rewards at any time.
Our Culture, Perks and Values
Awards and client win’s aside, it’s our culture that really sets us apart from other agencies. We are fiercely protective and supportive of our people, who are our greatest assets. We invest heavily in training and career development, and we also work hard to ensure that work does not take over your life. We set clear boundaries and have many benefits in place to support your wellbeing. Some of these include:
Flexible Working
- Flexible work from home options all year round (with phone and internet allowance)
- Finish at 4pm on Fridays all year round
- Finish at 1pm every Friday before a public holiday
- Change of Scene Week - $1000 towards accommodation costs for you to work from a different location every year
- Stopover Holiday Extension Three nights’ accommodation paid if you are visiting a city with a Zeno office
- Aussies Abroad anniversary trip with flights and accommodation to visit another Zeno APAC office
Leave
- Anniversary leave day off
- Birthday leave day off
- Annual Zeno Day of Play - Day off to have fun
- Bonus Christmas leave between Christmas and new year
Training
- Zeno Fearless University - Internal Training Modules
- Zeno Inter
