Business Director

Role overview

Momentum Group NZ is hiring a Business Director to take ownership of its most important client relationships and help steer the agency through its next stage of growth. This senior position reports to the Managing Director and leads the client service team from the Ponsonby, Auckland office.

The role is permanent and full time. It suits someone who can manage the commercial picture and the campaign detail together, while staying close enough to the work to influence outcomes directly. There is also a clear path toward wider agency leadership as the business expands.

About the company

Momentum Group is an independent, full-service media agency owned entirely in New Zealand. Established in 2016, the team brings together strategists, technologists, planners, and media specialists with a shared focus on helping brands grow. The agency believes the strongest results come when strategy, media, technology, data, and creativity work as one connected system.

What the role involves

In this position, you will lead the strategic direction of a client portfolio, manage senior stakeholder relationships, oversee commercial performance, and guide the client service team. You will be expected to balance long-term business growth with day-to-day delivery, while keeping the Managing Director informed on account health, opportunities, and risks.

Leadership and strategy

• Shape the strategic direction of the client portfolio using evidence and sound media principles.
• Represent the agency professionally at industry events and within the wider sector.
• Set high standards for rigour, collaboration, and open discussion across the client team.
• Promote measurement-led, full-funnel thinking and be clear about what is delivering results and what is not.
• Maintain strong attention to detail, particularly around billing and commercial arrangements.

Client and commercial leadership

• Own the senior client relationships across the portfolio and be the primary point of contact clients rely on.
• Run key client interactions such as briefings, work-in-progress meetings, quarterly reviews, and planning sessions.
• Take accountability for profitability, retention, and organic growth across accounts.
• Lead annual planning and investment strategy so media spend is paced correctly and set up to perform.
• Keep the Managing Director updated on portfolio performance, client sentiment, commercial risks, and growth opportunities.
• Stay closely connected with suppliers and partners to keep clients and the team informed about market developments and commercial options.

Media strategy and planning

• Direct strategy across the full media mix, including traditional and biddable channels, based on how audiences and brands behave in the real world.
• Turn complex data into practical recommendations and growth opportunities.
• Use Accelerator™, the agency’s proprietary marketing intelligence platform, to strengthen recommendations and surface the most relevant audience and market insights.

Collaboration and team development

• Coach and develop the client service team to raise both performance and capability.
• Work closely with the Performance Director and other specialists to deliver integrated solutions.
• Partner with senior leaders to improve how the agency innovates, scales, and delivers work.

Business growth and commercial responsibilities

• Spot and pursue growth opportunities within existing client accounts.
• Take an active role in new business activity, including pitches and proposals.
• Manage supplier and partner relationships and negotiate on behalf of clients when needed.
• Support the Managing Director on client commercial matters such as MSAs and contracts.
• Ensure billing is accurate across the team and resolve discrepancies quickly and clearly.
• Provide timely, accurate revenue updates, including forecasts, client budgets, and briefings, and help drive revenue growth opportunities.

Key attributes

The ideal candidate is commercially astute, evidence-driven, trusted by clients, and able to lead collaboratively without ego. They should be comfortable operating at a senior level, making direct and honest decisions, and staying close to the detail in budgets, billing, and commercial agreements.

Qualifications and experience

• At least 12 years of experience in media, including senior agency experience and direct ownership of important client relationships.
• Strong capability across the full media mix, including traditional channels and biddable media such as Search, Programmatic, and Paid Social.
• Solid commercial understanding of account profitability, budget pacing, retention, and growth.
• Comfort using data, technology, AI, and tools such as Accelerator™ in modern media planning and delivery.
• Strong relationship-building skills and a proven ability to lead teams.
• New Zealand market experience and existing industry relationships are beneficial.
• Industry awards or recognition such as Effies, Beacons, or similar are an advantage.

Performance measures

• Growth and retention across the client portfolio.
• Profitability of accounts and accurate, well-communicated budget pacing.
• Client satisfaction and strength of relationships.
• Quality, discipline, and commercial impact of strategic recommendations.
• Contribution to new business wins and growth from existing clients.
• Capability, engagement, and retention within the client service team.

What success looks like

• Clients see you as a trusted senior partner on strategy, media, and commercial results.
• The portfolio becomes more profitable, stable, and loyal.
• Strategy is built on evidence and delivers measurable outcomes consistently.
• The client team is motivated, high performing, and aligned with Momentum’s purpose and values.
• You make a visible contribution to new business and the agency’s next stage of growth.

Additional information

Location: Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand.

Reporting line: Managing Director.

Direct reports: Client Service Team.

Employment type: Permanent, full time.

Interested candidates were asked to reach out directly by email.