UM Vision
UM is committed to empowering brands to reach their full potential of growth through the power of patterns by opening a brand's aperture and rejecting black-and-white marketing decisions. UM operates in over 100 countries, with more than 3,000 people.
Ranked as the #1 media agency group in the region for the 7th consecutive year as per RECMA's most recent report, we were also named the #2 agency globally in 2021. Our client roster includes global clients, including STC, Dyson, Aramco, Boeing, Nespresso, Kenvue, McDonald's, Mattel, Modon, Diriyah, New Balance, Levi's, and Hershey's.
Our most prized accolade is that of our team, whereby they voted us as a Great Place to Work since 2022. This is a recognition we aim to keep upholding by putting our people at the centre of our business and continuously fostering an environment built on meritocracy, a sense of belonging, and community spirit to encourage work-life integration.
People
As a Director at UM, you will work with the Regional Business Director of your unit to drive Business within UM through our vision and product excellence. Leading the team and responsible for the interpretation of advertising strategies and overall quality of media strategies, planning, presentations and buying for the team.
You will be responsible for the structure, professionalism, and performance of the team. With a focus on an open working environment, offering support, training and insights to team members.
Role
Strategic Leadership & Vision
- Lead and define the overall media strategy across all client brands, ensuring alignment with business, marketing, and communications objectives.
- Drive strategic thought leadership across offline, digital, social, and content to deliver full-funnel impact across awareness and conversion.
- Establish and guide the offline and digital vision for client brands in partnership with Business Directors, Digital Leads, and Communications teams.
- Translate business objectives, audience insights, and market intelligence into actionable, growth-driven media strategies.
- Provide strategic guidance on the role of media channels across the consumer journey, including performance, brand, and app-driven campaigns.
- Maintain a deep understanding of client business models, brand portfolios, audience segments, and market dynamics.
Client Leadership & Relationship Management
- Serve as the senior strategic lead and primary point of contact for media across client accounts.
- Lead and represent UM in integrated Work-on-Work (WoW) forums with creative, PR, social, and partner agencies, ensuring adherence to client processes while driving creativity, innovation, and successful cross-agency collaboration.
- Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders.
- Lead strategic conversations with clients, providing proactive counsel and driving media effectiveness and business outcomes.
- Foster strong collaboration between client teams, internal planning teams, and cross-functional agency teams.
- Ensure effective escalation handling and resolution of client challenges through strong leadership and collaboration.
- Monitor competitive activity and proactively advise clients on implications and opportunities.
Media & Product Excellence
- Oversee end-to-end media strategy, planning, implementation, and optimization across all channels.
- Ensure integration of traditional and digital media strategies to deliver holistic, effective solutions.
- Monitor and ensure delivery against defined KPIs, performance metrics, and campaign objectives.
- Evaluate and implement relevant media technologies, including CDPs, MMPs, ad verification, and monitoring platforms.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with media owners, technology partners, and industry stakeholders.
- Ensure the highest standards of media planning quality, effectiveness, and accountability.
Innovation, Growth & Market Leadership
- Drive innovation through the identification and implementation of new media opportunities, technologies, and approaches.
- Proactively identify emerging media trends, platforms, and strategic opportunities relevant to client business growth.
- Contribute to idea generation, innovation culture, and strategic differentiation for clients and the agency.
- Identify opportunities to enhance media effectiveness, efficiency, and business impact.
Operational Excellence & Governance
- Ensure effective management of workflows across strategy, planning, execution, and optimization processes.
- Establish strong operational frameworks to ensure consistency, quality, and efficiency.
- Maintain clear accountability, process discipline, and delivery excellence across teams.
- Ensure alignment between strategy, execution, and performance tracking.
Commercial Growth & Pitch Leadership
- Partner with the Business Director to identify organic growth opportunities and new revenue streams.
- Lead or contribute to agency pitches, providing strategic media leadership in new business opportunities.
- Support the agency's commercial objectives through strategic client growth and retention.
People Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing media teams, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and innovation.
- Support career development through coaching, training, and structured growth plans.
- Foster a collaborative, innovative, and integrated team culture.
