National Account Director (Client Services Manager)

Own key client accounts and build our national Client Services team | Sydney HQ

About Smash Brand Group

Founded in 2003, Smash Brand Group is an independent media and growth agency helping Australian mid-market and challenger brands make their marketing investment work harder, with no added management fees on core media.

Our senior people stay close to the work, and we run on a straightforward philosophy of no agency theatre, no unnecessary complexity and no hiding behind activity.

We have strong client retention, with clients ranging from national household-name brands to ambitious challengers, and our Client Services team leads those relationships day to day.

About the role

As SBG grows, we’re looking for a National Account Director to take ownership of key client relationships across Australia and lead and develop our national Client Services function, based at our Sydney HQ and reporting directly to our General Manager.

This is a senior, hands-on role for an experienced media planner and buyer with strong client relationships, the confidence to present recommendations and a love of leading people.

First and foremost, this role is about growing our clients’ results. You will develop effective campaigns across above-the-line (ATL) and digital media that build their brands and drive their sales, knowing how mass media builds awareness and demand and how digital supports engagement and enquiries.

When a client has a broader growth challenge, you will bring in our Growth Acceleration services, adding performance, creative, analytics or other specialist growth expertise as it is needed. One SBG team stays accountable for bringing it all together, so the client gets the right capability at the best value without having to manage multiple agencies.

When our clients grow, so does SBG.

Alongside your own accounts, you will coach and develop the team, set the standard for planning and delivery, and work with our General Manager on team structure and recruitment as the team expands.

Our National Media Strategy Director leads new business, so you and the team can focus on the clients we already have. It’s a genuine step up for a media leader with early people-management experience, with a clear, capability-based path to Director of Client Services.

What you will do

- Own and manage a portfolio of key client accounts as their senior day-to-day contact and trusted advisor, leading annual planning and regular client reviews.
- Develop winning media strategies that grow your clients’ brands and results, planning and buying across TV, radio, out-of-home, print and digital, from channel mix, reach and frequency through to negotiating strong value with media owners.
- Build on SBG’s valued, longstanding media-owner partnerships, leveraging those relationships to create better opportunities and outcomes for clients.
- Bring in our Growth Acceleration services where they help a client reach their goals.




- Make sure campaigns are delivered accurately, on time and on budget, with plain-English reporting that turns complex data into clear next steps.
- Guide renewal, scope and pricing conversations with transparency and sound commercial judgement.
- Coach and develop the team, setting clear goals, giving regular feedback and helping each team member progress through our Client Services career pathway.
- Work closely with our National Media Strategy Director, contributing media expertise to new-business pitches and making sure every new client moves smoothly into the team.
- Help shape and grow our national Client Services function, from team structure and recruitment to the systems, processes and standards that support its success, and represent Client Services on SBG’s leadership team.

What you will bring

- Deep ATL planning and buying expertise across TV, radio and out-of-home, robust knowledge of the Australian media landscape, and established, productive relationships with media owners.
- At least two years managing or formally leading people, with a genuine passion for coaching and developing talent.
- Six or more years in multi-channel media planning and buying in an agency or comparable environment, with proven ownership of significant client accounts.
- A track record of retaining clients and growing their results and media investment, building long-term partnerships through trusted advice and strong media strategy.
- The presence and confidence to present and defend recommendations to business owners and senior marketing leaders and bring them with you.
- Proven negotiation skills and a record of securing strong value from media buys.
- A strong working knowledge of digital media, and how to combine channels to support brand-building and performance objectives.
- Strong commercial judgement, with experience managing client account budgets, forecasting, pricing, scope and profitability while delivering exceptional client value.
- Experience identifying opportunities to expand existing client relationships through broader services and solutions that deliver better client outcomes.
- Evidence of improving team standards, developing junior team members and introducing smarter ways of working.
- A growth mindset, ambition and a real appetite to keep learning as an agency leader.
- Highly proficient in PowerPoint (M365) or comparable presentation tools, with the ability to develop compelling media strategy presentations, and confidence working with Excel.

Experience with HubSpot or comparable CRM systems, and practical use of AI tools for research,



analysis and synthesis, would be advantageous.

What we offer

- Remuneration that rewards long-term client success. A base salary of $110,000–$115,000 plus superannuation, with two uncapped, ongoing incentives. Earn incentives linked to the success of your own client portfolio, plus an additional leadership incentive linked to accounts managed by your team. Both are designed to continue for the life of the client relationship. When our clients succeed, you share in that success.
- A genuine leadership opportunity. Take ownership of key client relationships and lead our lean national Client Services function, initially working with one other team member. Help build the people, capabilities and standards needed to support SBG’s next stage of growth.
- A seat at the table, with real freedom to make an impact. Report directly to our General Manager and have genuine scope to shape how our national Client Services function operates and grows, from team structure and capabilities to the systems, processes and standards we build. Bring your ideas, put them into practice and make a visible difference to our clients, our people and the business.
- A transparent career pathway. A genuine step up for an experienced media leader with early people-management experience, with a capability-based pathway to Director of Client Services as your leadership skills develop.
- A proposition you can be proud of. Deliver exceptional value for clients through smarter media economics, strong media-owner relationships and flexible growth expertise.
- Advanced technology that supports smarter working. Benefit from SBG’s investment in leading platforms including HubSpot and Notion, alongside intelligent automation and modern systems that help our people work smarter, collaborate effectively and focus on delivering exceptional client outcomes.
- An established business with start-up energy. Decisions are made quickly, and there’s genuine room to shape how the team works and grows.
- A close-knit, collaborative team with hybrid flexibility and understanding for life’s important moments.
- A paid team volunteer day to give back to the community together.
- A paid day off on your birthday.
- Ongoing industry training and professional development.
- An annual education allowance to support your continued growth.
- Savings and discounts on thousands of everyday items, plus wellbeing resources through our benefits platform.

How to apply

Please submit your resume, highlighting your career progression, media planning and buying experience, and experience managing client accounts and leading people.

We’re particularly interested in candidates who have managed significant client accounts in a media, advertising or integrated agency setting, delivering strong results by understanding each client’s business and bringing them the right media solutions, while leading and developing a team.

We look forward to hearing from you!

📌 National Account Director (Client Services Manager) (Alexandria)
🏢 Smash Brand Group
📍 Alexandria