Business Lead

Company Description

With a history that dates back over 80 years, Starcom is a global communications planning and media leader. We are an agency still grounded in our founding principle that understanding people is at center of all we do. Each day, we apply this belief to harness the transformative power of data and technology to inspire individuals and move businesses forward.

Overview

As a Business Lead, you will be a pivotal leader responsible for driving strategic client relationships, overseeing team performance, and ensuring the delivery of integrated marketing and technology solutions to meet client needs. This role requires a deep understanding of Saudi Arabia market dynamics, governmental processes, and business culture. You will be tasked managing STA and if successful, the role will expand to include existing client base representing mega-projects and governmental Saudi entities while ensuring seamless integration across marcomms, technology, and business strategies to deliver exceptional results for our clients.

Responsibilities

• Stakeholder Management & Relationship Building
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key clients, including senior decision-makers and governmental representatives, to understand their needs and deliver solutions aligned with their strategic objectives.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, providing regular updates, managing expectations, and addressing any issues that arise.
• Lead client-facing discussions, presentations, and negotiations, ensuring alignment with the client’s goals and business outcomes.
• Identify and manage key stakeholders, both internally and externally, to ensure seamless collaboration across teams and external partners.
• Unlocking Governmental Leads & Business Development
• Leverage in-depth knowledge of Saudi Arabia’s governmental landscape and regulations to generate new business opportunities and unlock governmental leads.
• Develop business development strategies tailored to the unique needs of government clients leveraging Publicis Groupe PO1 solution.
• Collaborate closely with the Growth Team and Publicis Groupe entities to identify and pursue opportunities in public sector projects, ensuring compliance with governmental requirements and processes.
• Build and nurture relationships with key governmental bodies and stakeholders to strengthen Publicis Groupe position in public sector contracts and tenders.
• Team Management & Leadership
• Lead and mentor a diverse team of client servicing across Media, Content, Martech, Creative, and PR, ensuring a high-performance culture.
• Oversee the development and delivery of client campaigns, team members are empowered and equipped to deliver outstanding results.
• Foster an environment of collaboration and continuous learning, providing support and development opportunities to team members.
• Conduct performance reviews, provide feedback, and implement growth strategies for team members.
• Ensure team alignment with client objectives, timelines, and deliverables, monitor progress and adjusting strategies as necessary.
• Saudi Arabia Market Knowledge & Local Expertise (Vision 2030)
• Use your expert knowledge of the Saudi Arabian market, culture, and business environment to navigate client interactions and ensure relevant and culturally aligned strategies.
• Stay updated on governmental policies, regulations, and market trends in Saudi Arabia that may impact client strategies and business growth specifically those pertaining to MEGA Projects under PIF and Tourism Board.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, guiding them on market trends, consumer behavior, and business opportunities unique to the Saudi Arabian context.
• Financial Acumen & Budget Management
• Manage client budgets, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within financial parameters.
• Monitor financial performance, identifying opportunities for revenue growth targets and cost optimization.
• Work with internal finance teams to ensure accurate billing, invoicing, and financial reporting for all client projects.
• Work closely with the trading & product teams to assess the profitability of campaigns and provide recommendations for improving overall performance and revenue target delivery.
• General Expertise in Marketing Communications (Marcomms) & Martech
• Oversee the development and execution of integrated marketing communication strategies, ensuring they align with client goals and are backed by data-driven insights.
• Lead the integration of marketing and technology solutions (MarTech) to deliver seamless, innovative, and effective campaigns that meet client needs.
• Utilize a deep understanding of digital marketing, content strategy, social media, SEO, data analytics, and customer engagement to drive successful outcomes for clients.
• Stay ahead of industry trends and innovations in MarTech, continuously evaluating new tools, platforms, and technologies to enhance client strategies.
• Integrated Communication and Tech Solutions
• Develop integrated solutions that combine communication strategies with technology innovations, providing clients with holistic and cohesive campaigns.
• Work collaboratively with all agency teams to ensure a seamless delivery of projects, ensuring consistency across all communication channels and technology platforms.
• Lead strategic discussions to ensure alignment across different disciplines, from creative and content development to analytics and digital/traditional marketing.
  
  

Qualifications

• At least 15 years of experience in client management, with a proven track record in stakeholder management, team leadership, and delivering integrated communication and technology solutions.
• Significant experience working in Saudi Arabia, with strong local market knowledge and understanding of cultural nuances in business.
• Prior experience working with governmental agencies or in public sector projects in Saudi Arabia.
• Expertise in (MarComms) and (MarTech), with hands-on experience in managing both traditional and digital campaigns.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large-scale budgets and deliver financial results for clients.

Education:

• A degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Technology, or a related field. An MBA or equivalent post-graduate qualification is a plus.
• Skills:
• Strong financial acumen with the ability to analyze and manage client budgets and financial performance.
• Exceptional leadership and team management skills, with experience in mentoring and developing teams.
• Deep understanding of the Saudi Arabia market and governmental landscape, with the ability to navigate and unlock public sector opportunities.
• Expertise in integrated marketing communications strategies, digital marketing, and technology integration.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and clients.
• Ability to think strategically, act decisively, and execute effectively to deliver client success.