GROUP ACCOUNT DIRECTOR (AUTOMOTIVE)

About HAVAS Red We are powered by a team with undeniable passion, fearless ambition and incredible ideas.

As pioneers in earned-first communications we believe our best work happens when we shape a singular creative idea to live in any owned, earned, social and paid channel.

Our 80+ Redsters across offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are smart, hungry, and creative, bringing together a chorus of integrated comms functions including media relations, content creation, social media, influencer marketing, activations, and issues management. We’re trusted by clients ranging from global brands to Australian icons, to some of the fastest growing companies around.

We are part of the HAVAS PR Network, the PR and communications arm of the HAVAS Group that comprises over 40 agencies in over 25 markets worldwide. In Australia, HAVAS Red sits within the HAVAS Village, a brilliant group of agencies and specialisms across communications, advertising, media, and public affairs.

Role Overview The Group Account Director, Automotive partners closely with the Group Practice Head, Automotive to deliver exceptional client work that consistently exceeds expectations and delivers best practice automotive PR outcomes.

This is a senior leadership role within a dynamic, fast-paced agency environment. It demands strategic thinking, outstanding written communication skills and high-level account management expertise to lead product-focused public relations for a prestigious automotive brand.

As a trusted advisor and expert practitioner, the Group Account Director demonstrates autonomy, authoritative judgment, adaptability, and accountability. You will guide teams and clients with confidence, applying deep sector knowledge to shape impactful campaigns.

We’re looking for someone with extensive experience in public relations, whether agency-side or in-house, or a strong background in journalism.

A genuine passion for the automotive industry and a thorough understanding of its nuances are essential.

In this role, you will serve as a key source of counsel to senior executives within a major automotive company, their PR team, and our agency leadership.

Personal & Professional Requirements

Extensive experience working at a senior level in a media, PR or a communications role

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Deep understanding of and passion for the automotive industry

Strong contacts with motoring media and familiarity with general media

Outstanding stakeholder management skills

Have an excellent understanding of crisis communications management

Exceptional time-management skills

Highly motivated, with the ability to work independently

Demonstrates strong leadership skills and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced agency

Experience working cross-functionally to deliver holistic communications outcomes

Understanding and knowledge of the Australian landscape including politics, business, society, news media, influencers and social media

Skills

Plan and write highly complex texts based on your automotive expertise

Plan and present automotive launch presentations

Manage complex client engagement

Lead automotive media relations activity

Own and direct the development of complex communications plans

Ensure best practice communications measurement and evaluation practices are applied

Areas of Responsibility Tasks include :

Product PR strategy development and implementation

Partner with other members of the Havas Red team to formulate and execute relevant strategies, solutions and opportunities

Manage the development and overall implementation of successful and progressive public relations and communications strategies for clients that meet or exceed the desired results including, but not limited to, the implementation of media relations and issues / crisis management

Maintain strong knowledge and understanding of the local and international public relations and marketing industries and communicate this knowledge internally and with clients

Research and identify emerging issues and challenges that are facing the client’s business or products

Favourably position the client and its products by enhancing strong and meaningful relationships with key media outlets and other stakeholders

Exercise judgment in prioritising media opportunities

Develop key media partnerships to support campaigns

Plan, deliver and measure the success of PR campaigns

Set goals for the PR division and monitor the team's performance regularly

Event management

Closely involved in the execution of National Media vehicle launches

Extensive writing, including proposals in the clients preferred formats, executive speeches, media releases and media-coverage summaries

Liaising with the agency’s production team to plan and deliver photographic, video, graphic design and other services as required

Assist with the development of budgets for events and other activities

Issues and crisis management

Work with Group Practice Head, Automotive to respond promptly and efficiently to manage and mitigate communication crises

Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders. Maintain open lines of communication, address concerns, and provide updates to ensure transparency and trust

Craft clear and consistent messaging for internal and external audiences. Adapt messaging based on the situation, target audience, and channel to effectively address concerns and mitigate reputational risks

Proactively engage with media contacts to manage media inquiries, provide accurate information

Cross-functional leadership

Effectively managing client relationships and projects

Working cross-functionally within the agency to ensure alignment with all teams

Demonstrate and implement high performance benchmarks and a positive and proactive attitude

Encourage a culture that values integrity, high performance, continuous improvement and a commitment to quality

Present strong leadership qualities to all cross-functional team members moving towards the achievement of the organisation’s philosophy, mission, strategy, and its performance benchmarks and objectives

Prepare for and participate in agency meetings including weekly team WIPs and senior management meetings

About Havas The Havas Village is a unique model — creative, digital, content, PR, media and partnerships, all under one roof. We build teams around our clients’ needs, not our own structures, with offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Our mission? To make a meaningful difference to the brands, businesses and lives of the people we work with. We’re proud to be a Great Place to Work Certified company.

At HAVAS, we are committed to building a future that is inclusive to all, where you can bring your whole self to work and feel valued, respected, and supported to succeed. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds, identities, beliefs, age, and abilities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, to apply for this or any role with us.

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Contract Type : Permanent Here at Havas across the group we pride ourselves on being committed to offering equal opportunities to all potential employees and have zero tolerance for discrimination. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants irrespective of age, sex, race, ethnicity, disability and other factors that have no bearing on an individual’s ability to perform their job.

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