At FleishmanHillard Australia, we create ideas that can't be ignored by being `ever curious'. We believe embedding brands in culture is how they unlock growth and relevance faster, turning PR into a driver of brand and commercial impact.
We work with organisations navigating complexity, helping them turn scrutiny into strategic advantage. Our approach combines strategic insight, creative thinking that influences opinion and behaviour, and structured engagement that builds trust with the audiences that matter.
This underpins always-on programmes, campaigns and experiences that media cover, influencers share, and audiences engage with.
In Australia, we are uniquely integrated with Omnicom, partnering with leading strategists, creatives and media specialists to amplify impact at scale.
PURPOSE
The Senior Business Director is a senior leadership role responsible for driving strategic client partnerships, delivering outstanding integrated communications programs, leading and developing high-performing teams, and contributing to the growth and profitability of the FleishmanHillard business.
As a trusted advisor to clients and colleagues, the Senior Business Director provides senior strategic counsel, identifies opportunities for growth and innovation, and ensures the delivery of commercially successful, award-worthy work that delivers measurable business outcomes.
The role plays a key leadership position within the agency, helping shape culture, capability and business performance while contributing to FleishmanHillard's reputation as a leading communications consultancy.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
Client leadership and strategic counsel
- Lead a portfolio of key client relationships and act as the senior strategic advisor.
- Develop integrated communications strategies aligned to client business objectives.
- Anticipate client needs and identify opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Provide expert counsel on reputation, issues and stakeholder management.
- Ensure consistently high standards of strategic thinking, creativity and execution.
- Drive measurable outcomes and demonstrate the value of communications.
Business growth and commercial management:
- Deliver revenue, profitability and utilisation targets across assigned accounts.
- Identify and secure organic growth opportunities.
- Lead and contribute to new business pitches and proposals.
- Manage forecasting, budgeting and resource planning.
- Ensure scope changes are appropriately identified and commercialised.
- Maintain strong financial discipline across all client programs.
- Support broader Melbourne office growth initiatives.
Team leadership and people development
- Lead, inspire and develop high-performing teams.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and excellence.
- Coach and mentor emerging leaders.
- Conduct performance reviews and support career development planning.
- Participate in recruitment, onboarding and succession planning.
- Ensure appropriate team resourcing and workload management.
- Champion agency culture and employee engagement initiatives.
YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- 10+ years' experience in communications, public relations or integrated marketing.
- Proven experience leading major accounts and senior client relationships.
- Strong commercial acumen and business management capability.
- Demonstrated experience leading and developing teams.
- Expertise across corporate, brand and stakeholder communications.
- Exceptional strategic thinking, writing and presentation skills.
- Strong issues and crisis management experience.
- Proven success delivering business growth and profitability.
ABOUT YOU
- You are a strategic and commercially minded communications leader who thrives on building trusted relationships and delivering meaningful business outcomes.
- You combine strong client leadership with commercial discipline, are passionate about developing people, and bring the confidence and credibility to advise senior stakeholders through both opportunities and challenges.
- You are naturally curious and interested in business, media, culture and current affairs.
- You think beyond the brief and actively seek opportunities for clients.
- You enjoy building relationships and earning the trust of clients and colleagues.
- You are organised, proactive and solutions-focused.
- You thrive in collaborative environments and enjoy bringing people together to get great work done.
- You take pride in delivering high-quality work and helping others succeed.
