Associate Client Director

Company Description

At Spark Foundry we bring HEAT to brands, Higher Engagement, Affinity and Transaction. Engagement with consumers, customers and stakeholders, affinity with brands, and transactions, that materially impact our client's businesses. Spark is uniquely positioned to deliver HEAT because we have an aligned set of beliefs that guide how we navigate a changing media landscape, a structure that is designed for total accountability and a repeatable methodology to bake continuous improvement into everything we do.In order to bring this vision to life, we seek alignment around key values from our talent. Diverse thinkers with diverse thinking-what we call Allsorts-are essential to tackle challenges through the lens of different disciplines and perspectives. To succeed at Spark, you must thrive on the belief that great ideas are only great if they work. It's not enough to be new, cool, or interesting; our solutions must drive business results. You need to embrace both the art and the evidence-right and left brain, imagination and activation, insight and technology in the pursuit of big ideas that are forensically measured. If you are motivated by these values, we welcome you to apply to become a Sparkie.

Overview

VISION

Spark Foundry

Spark Foundry. Famously Effective. Not one or the other - both. The thrill of an idea made even better by the pride of seeing it work. A magnetic combination that attracts clients who become advocates, and talent who are driven to deliver. Awardwinning and businesschanging.

This vision is only possible when the right people, perspectives, and practices come together.

VALUES

• Allsorts - We believe diverse thinkers and diverse thinking create the most impactful work. We welcome different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.

• Art and Evidence - Great ideas matter, and so does proving they work. We value creativity backed by insight, and insight brought to life through creativity.

• Royalty Makes Loyalty - We build strong, respectful relationships by listening, supporting, and delivering excellence at every step.

• Good Humans - We lead with decency, empathy, and integrity. Always.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Associate Client Director supports the Client Director in managing team workflow, guiding the campaign response process, and ensuring seamless integration across internal teams to deliver effective, inclusive, and innovative communications plans.

They take shared responsibility for the quality of team output, champion attention to detail, and foster a supportive, growthoriented environment. They actively participate in training and development initiatives that benefit both their team and the wider agency.

They build strong, longterm relationships with clients - particularly at the Marketing Manager level - and proactively encourage collaboration across digital and mainstream media. When capacity allows, they may also contribute to new business opportunities.

CLIENT MANAGEMENT

• Proactively lead the development of media initiatives that meet client objectives within agreed timeframes.

• Identify opportunities to support clients' broader business goals, even outside immediate briefs (e.g., training sessions, industry updates, innovation showcases).

• Advocate for the value of Spark and Publicis services (SEO, SEM, Social, APEX) where relevant.

KEY OUTPUTS

Team Management

• Oversee planning and implementation of media activity across campaigns, ensuring alignment with client strategy and collaboration with activation teams.

• Support and guide the team in developing media concepts, plans, and implementation approaches.

• Ensure planning ideas are carried through activation, or work with teams to identify suitable alternatives.

• Maintain quality control processes and ensure deadlines are met, including early coordination with internal teams for major presentations.

• Communicate issues promptly and constructively with both internal teams and clients.

• Contribute to weekly WIP meetings and provide topline updates for Directorlevel WIPs.

Team Development

• Help lead, inspire, and motivate the team to work collectively toward client goals.

• Model Spark values and foster an inclusive, supportive team culture.

• Delegate effectively and provide coaching to help team members grow in their roles.

• Support the Client Director in conducting biannual reviews.

• Contribute to training plans for Coordinators and Planning Executives, and mentor the Client Manager.

Financial Monitoring & Management

• Monitor, forecast, and reforecast client financials across the assigned portfolio.

• Highlight changes such as budget shifts or campaign adjustments in weekly Director WIPs.

• Understand each client's financial requirements (e.g., financial year, credit insurance, commission structure).

• Understand contractual obligations and KPIs linked to campaign performance (e.g., bonus pools).

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• 6-8 years of relevant experience.

• Tertiary qualifications preferred but not essential - equivalent experience is valued.

• Proficiency across Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).

• Strong understanding of the media landscape, tools, and industry trends.

• Solid financial management skills and commercial awareness.

• Broad media knowledge across digital and mainstream channels.

BEHAVIOURS

• Passionate about media, advertising, and emerging technologies.

• Focused on delivering strong outcomes for clients and the agency.

• Confident communicator with the ability to influence and collaborate with stakeholders.

• Accountable and supportive - holds themselves and their team to high standards.

• Builds respectful, professional relationships with media partners.

• An inclusive leader who enjoys motivating and developing others.

• Highly organised, adaptable, and able to manage multiple priorities.

• Creative, curious, and able to think laterally and conceptually.

Additional Information

Publicis Groupe benefits: Be a part of the Publicis Groupe family, recent winner of the Employer of Choice Awards and one of the world's most progressive and dynamic modern communications businesses. You can learn more about us at www.publicisgroupeanz.com.

Enjoy all the perks that come with our network offering:

• A comprehensive Wholeself program supporting physical, mindful, and financial wellbeing.
• A creative, lively, and rewarding office environment where people love working with each other, supported by our Publicis Liberte flexibility approach - "working your way with us."
• Access to our Global AI Platform Marcel, connecting Publicis Groupe employees with opportunities for career mobility and collaboration across our global network.
• Extensive Learning & Development opportunities including more than 15,000 learning programs via our online learning platform, Marcel Classes.
• A culture of open feedback and support to reach your goals through our Career Conversations program.
• A committed Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion strategy driven through our Viva Women, Egalite, enABLE, EmbRACE, and Ecologique committees.
• Leave benefits including Birthday Leave, Flexible Public Holidays, and an additional 5 days of leave after 2 years of service.
• Work Your World program enabling employees the flexibility to work from anywhere in the world for up to 6 weeks per year.
• Parental leave policy with up to 18 weeks based on tenure, paid primary carer leave, secondary carer swap, and Cub Care leave.
• Access to counsellors, psychologists, and professionals through Sonder, an all-in-one digital wellbeing technology platform designed to support psychological, medical & safety needs.
• A workplace that stands together to provide a more open, supportive, and recovery-forward culture for all employees with life-threatening illnesses. Read more about our Working With Cancer Pledge: https://workingwithcancerpledge.com/
• Proud partners of Diversity Council Australia, Pride in Diversity, Family Friendly Workplaces, Supply Nation, and the Australian Disability Network.

If you don't tick every box in this ad, please don't rule yourself out. Research suggests that women and other people in underrepresented groups tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. We focus on hiring people who share our values of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, fearlessness, and integrity rather than ticking boxes - so if this role resonates with you, please apply.

Diversity. Inclusion. Equity. More than just words; these are part of our DNA. At Publicis Groupe, we are committed to the inclusion and recognition of all people regardless of race, age, culture, ability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, and religious affiliation. We believe that to deliver the best solutions to our clients, our people need to reflect the diverse communities in which our clients operate. We value diversity and the skills, knowledge, and experience that difference brings to our culture and solutions.

Uniqueness is powerful; without it, we wouldn't be where we are today. So be you - we like it that way.

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for people with disability or those that require additional support throughout the application process. If you need any assistance or adjustments, please contact us via [email protected]; your personal information will be kept confidential.