Business Director, Invention

Group: Mindshare Worldwide

Client: Nestle / Nespresso, Volvo, Campari, Booking.com, H&M, Allianz

Reports to: Head of Invention Worldwide

Mindshare is global media agency designed to make media exciting, fun and life changing. For the last 20 years our values of Speed, Teamwork and Provocation have guided our 10,000 people who work with some of the world’s best brands and companies. Located in 116 offices across 86 countries, we are the largest media agency in GroupM, WPP’s media investment management arm, which is the #1 media holding group globally. Mindshare Worldwide is the headquarters for Mindshare based in London. We are a team of 400+ people, co-ordinating media campaigns for our global clients. 

Learn about our culture and values and meet some of our people here.

Want to see some of our award-winning work? Click here

What We Can Offer You

At Mindshare Worldwide, we offer a competitive salary package, with 25 days holiday increasing with service to a maximum of 30 days, with the option to buy an extra 5 days per year. We also have an enhanced pension scheme, Bupa healthcare, a monthly wellbeing fund and early finishes on a Friday during summer. These are just some of the great benefits we offer.

Based ten minutes from London Bridge tube station, our office has a rooftop with 360 views of London – a great space to hang out with colleagues and friends!

We also offer an extensive training programme to help guide your career development whilst you’re with us. There’s a wide range of options to suit everyone at all levels of your career.

Our Values & Behaviours

Our attitude is reflected in our core values of Speed, Teamwork and Provocation, which drive our people and our business.

We want Mindshare Worldwide to be a place where everyone feels that they belong, everyone can be themselves and everyone has the same opportunities to develop their careers. Over the last 12 months we have made important steps in progressing on our journey to a truly inclusive organisation. We have launched The Collective and have seen the birth of a range of Employee Resource Groups who have shown some amazing and inspiring work.

The Role 

The Worldwide Invention team at Mindshare drives creativity & innovation in and beyond media by excelling in culture, community, and innovation. Through a balance of deep expertise and creative thinking we guide our clients to think outside of the box, using channels and mechanics that drives growth beyond their existing realms of focus.

We aim to elevate creativity in media by designing media-agnostic ideas; develop thoroughly research and inspirational thought leadership; deliver culture & creative programs; and be deep experts in areas of specialisms. These are primarily: cultural strategy, partnership, sponsorship; community strategy, influencers, creators, social content; innovation strategy, creative tech & emerging technologies. Our knowledge spans across various areas of culture, with specific focus on gaming, sport, film and entertainment.

We are looking for a Business Director who will solve Mindshare’s clients business challenges in new ways through media. Specifically, their responsibilities are to embed invention services and solutions as part of Mindshare and global clients’ relevant tools and processes. You’ll also be expected to develop end-to-end best in class invention solutions, infusing global media strategies with cultural and innovative media ideas and guiding local implementation. They oversee a team of 6 Director(s), Manager(s) and Executive(s). The role is based in London, with some travel (5-10%).

The Ideal Candidate

• Substantial strategy, creative or tech driven experience at an agency or specialist shop
• Strong strategic thinker, with experience in digital media and/or new technology
• Team leadership and expertise with direct report management
• Impeccable presentation skills, with the ability to capture a rooms attention through storytelling
• A strong understanding of the media environment and industry and of key partners and publishers
• Outstanding communication, negotiation and organisational skills
• Ability to uphold high creative standard, and make persuasive arguments to sell in ideas
• An in depth understanding of the role of partnership, sponsorship and emerging technologies to solve

Essential Criteria

• A proactive self-starter with a problem-solving attitude and the ability to meet deadlines
• A strong presenter, comfortable with large and small groups
• Confident in managing multiple stakeholder relationships
• A team player who is comfortable with dealing with senior clients and colleagues around the world
• Strong attention to detail and outstanding organisational skills
• Able to multi-task and handle multiple projects at one time
• Excellent knowledge of PowerPoint and Excel, and beyond
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Foreign language is a bonus
• Public speaking experience is a bonus

Responsibilities

• Partner with comms planning / strategy to develop cultural and innovation strategies as part of holistic comms, and upskilling them with technical knowledge. Continually improve and develop brand briefs to put cultural strategy at the heart of comms planning.
• Work with creative strategists and wider invention team to develop ideas for media and brand clients alike,
• Work closely with global, regional & local clients to advise and land meaningful campaigns which grow business and brand objectives.
• Lead a global award program, supported by a manager and executive, to further drive a culture of creativity across all markets. This include leading judging sessions, support the writing of awards entries, and the development of thought leadership content and sessions.
• Actively seek and design forums to build client orientated relationships, mobilise the network and share best practice – through media days, conferences, awards ceremonies, weekly calls, quarterly get together and any other feedback loops
• Challenges the status quo, offering proactive solutions and thoughts, continually trying to improve upon processes and ways of working to drive team performance.
• Designs and delegates tasks to develop junior members of the team, infusing creativity and innovative thinking
• Build and maintain relationships with WPP and external agencies / partners (e.g. Hogarth, Subvrsive, etc.)
• Stay up to date on key cultural opportunities and trends across a range of categories and markets, driving the knowledge of the Invention, Strategy, Client and wider Mindshare team
• Leads in-depth client-specific core discipline inductions and present at Senior Client level

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