Johannesburg: Agency Sales Director / Partnerships Manager (JHB Onsite) posted by DataFin Recruitment

ENVIRONMENT:

A dynamic Creative Powerhouse seeks a senior & highly connected agency sales professional to be its next Agency Sales Director / Partnerships Manager whose primary mission will be to open, build, and monetise strategic relationships with South Africas leading advertising and media agencies. This is a Hunter-style role focused on proactively engaging agencies, unlocking briefs, positioning the business offering as a strategic channel, and driving revenue through agency-led campaigns. You will work closely with the Managing Director and senior leadership in shaping pitches, structuring proposals, and converting agency relationships into long-term revenue streams. The successful incumbent must have at least 58 years experience selling media, advertising, or marketing solutions into agencies, have strong existing relationships within South African advertising and media agencies with a proven track record of generating revenue through agency channels.

DUTIES:

• Proactively identify, engage, and build senior-level relationships within advertising and media agencies across South Africa.
• Leverage existing agency contacts while continuously opening new agency relationships.
• Secure meetings, opportunities, and campaign briefs from agencies.
• Lead agency-facing sales conversations, including in-person meetings, presentations, and commercial negotiations.
• Work closely with internal Creative, Operations, and Leadership teams to tailor compelling, agency-ready proposals.
• Collaborate with the Managing Director on key pitches, pricing strategies, and deal structures.
• Maintain a healthy, accurate pipeline of agency opportunities within the CRM.
• Attend industry events, agency functions, and networking opportunities to continuously expand relationships.
• Actively manage agency relationships to drive repeat briefs, renewals, and long-term partnerships.

KPIs & Success Metrics:

• Number of active agency relationships onboarded.
• Number of qualified briefs received from agencies.
• Pipeline value and revenue influenced through agency channels.
• Number of live campaigns launched via agency partners.
• Consistency of agency engagement and repeat business.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum 58 years experience selling media, advertising, or marketing solutions into agencies.
• Strong existing relationships within South African advertising and media agencies.
• Proven track record of generating revenue through agency channels.
• Deep understanding of agency structures, decision-making dynamics, and commercial pressures.
• Experience presenting to senior agency stakeholders including Business Directors, Client Service Directors, Strategy Directors, and Media Leads.
• Comfortable working in a consultative, solutions-based sales environment.
• Strong presentation and pitch skills.

ATTRIBUTES:

• Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
• Commercially astute with strong negotiation ability.
• Confident, polished communicator.
• Highly proactive, self-motivated, and performance-driven.
• Ability to think strategically while executing tactically.
• True go-getter with a Hunter mindset.
• Resilient, confident, and thick-skinned.
• Naturally relationship-oriented but commercially firm.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong sense of ownership.
• Comfortable operating with autonomy and accountability.