Senior Director Activations

Comms Planning & Strategy Gurgaon, India

Position at GroupM

Overview of job  
 
GroupM, the world’s largest media investment company and a part of WPP, is responsible for one in every three ads you see globally. Our department, GroupM OOH Solutions, is seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Director – Experiential Marketing to join our team. The ideal candidate will bring up to 10 – 12 years of relevant experience and a passion for building business relationships with clients targeting upcountry markets in India. As a key member of our business development team, you will identify opportunities, cultivate client relationships, and drive growth in rural markets. 
At GroupM APAC, our people are our greatest strength. We are committed to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion. 
 
Reporting of the role 
 
This role reports to Vice President - Experiential
  
3 best things about the job:   
 
* Collaborating with a client/agency built on mutual trust, focused on creating effective business solutions. 
* Engaging in a category with abundant opportunities for quality, impactful work that goes beyond traditional advertising, contributing positively to society. 
* Taking on a leadership role in a successful, global, and fast-paced business environment. 
In this role, your goals will be:  
  
In 3 months: 
 
* Build relationships with key decision-makers both at the client side and within the company. 
* Become an expert on the client’s business, proactively engaging with senior clients and actively shaping the quality of GroupM OOH delivery. 
* Develop a deep understanding of and proficiency with GroupM's planning products and tools. 
* Participate in business proposals, leading the  experiential elements and supporting group pitches. 
 
In 6 months:  
 
* Proactively deliver additional value to the client, working with the team to successfully implement ideas that will enhance our delivery and improve client business outcomes. 
* Establish yourself as the lead for both clients and the internal team; develop strong client service practices and maintain effective team communication. 
* Oversee the day-to-day management of campaigns. 
* Coordinate communication with the operations team before, during, and after campaigns. 
 
In 12 months: 
 
* Serve as a 'business' leader for both the client and us, providing solutions that deliver tangible business benefits for both. 
* Establish yourself as a thought leader, demonstrating a deep understanding of experiential platforms and industry trends. 
* Activate a business plan that ensures client success and secures GroupM OOH client relationships; lead initiatives related to clients, products, people, commercial strategies, and profile building.   
 
  Responsibilities of the role:  
 
* Client Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with existing and potential clients in experiential marketing. Understand their needs, challenges, and goals to tailor solutions that align with their objectives. 
* Business Analysis: Conduct market analysis to identify growth opportunities and trends in experiential marketing. 
* Pitch Presentations: Develop compelling pitch presentations and proposals to showcase our services and potential marketing solutions to clients. Effectively communicate our value proposition and how it addresses the unique needs of experiential marketing. 
* Networking: Attend industry events, conferences, exhibitions, and more to expand the client network and promote our business. Actively participate in relevant associations and groups to stay informed about industry developments. Stay abreast of industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies related to our business. Leverage new insights and tools to enhance our approach and drive results. 
* Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and seamless execution of business development initiatives. 
* Relationship Management: Serve as the primary point of contact for clients throughout the sales cycle. Nurture relationships to drive repeat business and referrals. 
* Goal Achievement: Set ambitious but achievable business development targets and KPIs.   
What your day job looks like at GroupM: 
 
* Provide strategic leadership in communications and planning for all campaigns. 
* Assist in developing effective experiential strategies based on robust communication planning. 
* Serve as a senior-level contact for clients, leading strategic conversations on campaign management and communication planning. 
* Generate creative ideas and innovative communication strategies aligned with client business objectives and customer goals. 
* Identify and pursue business opportunities, maintain a pipeline of prospects, and successfully close deals. 
* Develop and execute agency and client business plans effectively. 
 
Minimum Qualifications:  
 
 * Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Marketing, Economics, or a related field. Advanced degree preferred. 
* Up to 10 – 12  years of proven experience in business development, sales, or a related role, with a focus on experiential marketing.
* Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and influence stakeholders at all levels. 
* Demonstrated track record of successfully closing deals and exceeding sales targets. 
* Excellent presentation and negotiation skills, with the ability to articulate complex concepts in a clear and concise manner. 
* Strategic thinker with strong analytical skills and the ability to translate insights into actionable plans. 
* Self-motivated and results-oriented, with a passion for driving growth. 
* Flexibility to travel as needed to meet with clients and attend events. 
If you're passionate about driving economic development in rural areas and thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, we'd love to hear from you! Apply now to join our team as an Experiential Marketing Specialist. 
 
More about GroupM OOH 
 
As a part of GroupM, powered by WPP, GroupM OOH Solutions encapsulates the entire spectrum of OOH practices including Cinema, Experiential, Activations and Rural advertising. A part of the largest and most innovative media planning agency, we use dynamic data and technology to transform consumer attention into active journeys.
 
About India 
 
2020 brought opportunities for brands to innovate because of which we saw an evolving media stack. The growth of digital is set to soar high because of changing consumer habits. With approximately 500 million smartphone users, low-priced data plans, 45 to 50 million e-commerce shoppers, approximately 60 OTT offerings and a young population, India is a mobile-first internet market. It is also one of the top 10 ad spend markets in the world and is set to climb the ranks. Global big tech corporations have made considerable investments in top e-commerce/retail ventures and Indian start-ups, blurring the lines between social media, e-commerce and mobile payments, resulting in disruption on an unimaginable scale.  
At GroupM India, there’s never a dull moment between juggling client requests, managing vendor partners and having fun with your team. We believe in tackling challenges head-on and getting things done. 
GroupM is an equal opportunity employer. We view everyone as an individual and we understand that inclusion is more than just diversity – it’s about belonging. We celebrate the fact that everyone is unique and that’s what makes us so good at what we do. We pride ourselves on being a company that embraces difference and truly represents the global clients we work with.