George P. Johnson (GPJ) is the World’s Leading Event And Experiential Marketing Agency. For over a century we’ve been partnering with the world’s top brands to deliver creative solutions that make a real difference.
Our strategic thinking and creativity breathe life into brands. Our ideas create impact, inspire audiences and grow business. It’s what turns our goals, and those of our clients, into results.
We’re happy working wherever the brief takes us. At home or abroad. On the huge, or the hugely important. Our scalability enables us to answer briefs of all shapes and sizes - effectively and efficiently.
GPJ is one of the few global experiential agencies with a real presence and business on the ground in South Korea. Our Seoul office was established in 2003, serving both Global brands based in or delivering in Korea as well as supporting major Korean brands delivering in international markets.
With a skilled and sizable team already in place, a good reputation in the market and substantial and diverse global teams to support, we are seeking a new leader who will accelerate the great momentum of our current growth in the Korean market and be a driving force of our “Korean brands out of Korea” strategy.
Reporting directly to the CEO, Asia Pacific, we are offering the role of Managing Director. The new leader should be bi-lingual (fluency in English and Korean) and be well connected and respected at a senior level.
We are seeking an entrepreneurial superstar, who is not scared of rolling their sleeves up and building our business to its full potential. In return, we will offer a generous salary, bonus scheme and the usual benefits associated with such a senior position.
Professional experience:
Capabilities & Experience
● Minimum ten (10) years management experience in a similar role in an agency or in house marketing department
● Minimum five (5) years experience in corporate events, and/or B2B marketing
● Demonstrated experience leading & growing teams
● Extensive experience in client relations and management
● Highly commercial-orientated in developing and managing budgets
● A strategic mind and ability to implement strategic objectives
● Strong creative eye and extensive knowledge in concept development
● A solid understanding of digital offerings and capabilities
● A deep understanding of conflict resolution and management
Responsibilities:
Strategic Business Development
● Provide leadership and direction on the strategic growth of ongoing developments with all domestic client business.
● Build on the current business plan focused on both domestic and international markets and guide the team to deliver results.
● Grow new accounts as well as new business opportunities from existing clients for organic growth.
● Work closely with operations teams, from client briefs to project operation to make sure client communication and profitability of each project is managed well.
● Lead client briefs and RFPs that contribute to the business and country P&L significantly by leading, pitch responses, shaping the messaging, creative, communication format and contact, final project delivery and execution.
● Constantly measure the impact and success of projects.
● Confidently and comprehensively promote the company and its services through various channels, including pitch presentations, speaking sessions, networking sessions with c-level executives, editorial coverage and media engagements.
Financial / Commercial Management
● Ensure projects are managed with maximum profitability while maintaining the highest levels of quality, as well as fostering favorable relationships with clients for long term relationships.
● Mentor client service team leads and guide them to build client P&L’s and instill commercial sense and strategy to achieve maximum profit and sustainable relationship with clients.
● Monitor all financial activities with a finance manager from overall monthly P&L status of the office, payable and receivable transaction status and any other payment related issues for approval and assessment.
● Provide monthly updates during regular management meetings regarding South Korea’s financial performance, sales activities and business opportunities.
● Review and assess quarterly budget to make sure overall annual performance of South Korea meets the target agreed with CEO, Asia Pacific.
● Stay close with the market scene and highlight any potential business risks & opportunities in a timely manner.
Client/Account Management
● Create a sustainable plan to reach, build relationships with and maintain connection with key decision makers within major Korean brands and their marketing departments/ in-house agencies.
● Provide tangible value in the development of key client relationships, especially with senior executives from existing GPJ clients, to share regional insights and market information from different countries to offer the true benefits of working with a global agency.
● Regular engagement with key accounts to strengthen relationships at senior level.
● Stay current with market trends and gain a deep understanding of clients’ business in order to proactively generate new ideas and proposals that will add value to our client and develop firmer relationships as business partners.
● Be the face of GPJ as a leading market expert and be able to provide suggestions to engage in business discussion and conversations with clients.
● Proactively seek new business opportunities from key accounts for organic growth in business as well as having ongoing conversations to receive feedback and maintain high quality service delivery.
Compliance
● Full compliance with Project: WorldWide ethics guidelines, policies, client’s contracts and local country laws & regulations.
● Ensure all activities in business are compliant with local legislations and regulations.
● Maintain close communication with regional finance and legal teams to make sure any agreements and administrative documents with global companies we service in Korea are aligned with regional/global standards.
Organizational Development
● Be the “face” of GPJ South Korea, contribute to Asia Pacific regional strategies and leadership (appointed to the APAC Senior Leadership Team).
● Effectively manage the team with client/project allocation between team heads to grow and manage their own portfolio of accounts.
● Ensure the team structure and titles are aligned with GPJ globally, and support each team heads in lobbying and communication with senior executives and pitch presentations whenever necessary.
● Lead staff engagement and communications to maintain conducive and collaborative work environment within the team.
● Organize and encourage learning opportunities for personal growth
Talent & Culture
● Be the office cultural leader: Create a fun, exciting, environment, encourage mentoring and training to support employee career development.
● Create and execute staffing strategies to ensure we have the right resources at the right time - FTE’s, freelancers, GPJ/Project support staff.
● Manage resources appropriately to achieve optimum staff utilization goals.
● Interview & assess potential recruitment candidates and arrange meetings with appropriate colleagues to enhance collaboration & teamwork.