Managing Director

About the job

Managing Director, Sydney

Lead the agency shaping the future of communications.

At PHD, our ambition is clear: to be the most pioneering communications business in Australia. We're looking for a transformational leader to lead our Sydney office through the next chapter of growth, innovation and client success. Our vision and mission are embedded in everything we do: helping our clients outthink, outpace and outgrow their competition by building the world's most desirable brands.

As Managing Director, Sydney, you will sit at the heart of that ambition, leading one of Australia's most successful media agencies and influencing some of the country's most iconic brands. You will shape culture, accelerate growth, champion innovation and inspire over 250 people to deliver work that creates meaningful business outcomes.

Why join PHD?

PHD was founded as the agency that "thought before it bought." Today, we combine human understanding with advanced technology through our philosophy of Intelligence. Connected. We believe growth is driven by desire, not simply visibility, and we exist to create Australia's most desired brands.

As part of our future strategy, we're making three bold commitments:

Pioneering Effectiveness

Build a market-leading effectiveness capability and become the industry's benchmark for measurable client growth.

Pioneering Innovation

Embed innovation into every role, every team and every client relationship by fostering a culture of experimentation, curiosity and continuous improvement.

Pioneering AI

Prepare our people, clients and operating model for an agentic future through AI-enabled ways of working and smarter decision-making.

As Managing Director, you will be instrumental in bringing these ambitions to life.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the CEO, you'll lead the Sydney business and play a key role within the executive leadership team. This role combines commercial leadership, client partnership, organisational transformation and people leadership. You'll set the standard for how we show up for clients, how we develop talent and how we deliver business performance.

What You'll Do

Lead a High-Performing Agency

• Create a culture where people thrive, grow and do their best work.
• Inspire teams around a shared vision and clear direction.
• Embed accountability, collaboration and excellence across the Sydney office.
• Lead the adoption of PHD's future-facing operating model.

Shape Client Growth

• Build trusted executive relationships with senior client stakeholders.
• Champion strategic thinking that helps clients transform their businesses.
• Ensure every client relationship delivers outstanding value, partnership and outcomes.
• Elevate the craft of client leadership across the agency.

Drive Commercial Success

• Own Sydney office performance, growth and profitability.
• Lead major new business opportunities and agency pitches.
• Unlock new revenue streams and drive client expansion.
• Help shift the industry conversation from paying for outputs to paying for outcomes.

Pioneer What's Next

• Partner with leaders across Strategy & Effectiveness, Experience Design, Investment and Client Success.
• Accelerate innovation, effectiveness and AI adoption across the business.
• Future-proof client relationships, capability and operating models.
• Bring PHD's long-term vision to life through tangible action and market leadership.

Who You Are

You're an accomplished agency or business leader who combines commercial acumen with people-first leadership. You're energised by transformation, passionate about innovation and motivated by creating environments where teams and clients succeed.

You'll bring:

• Proven experience leading large-scale teams, portfolios or agencies.
• Strong commercial and growth credentials.
• Deep expertise in senior client relationship management.
• Experience leading organisational change and transformation.
• A collaborative leadership style that inspires trust and performance.
• A passion for innovation, effectiveness and the future of communications.

Our Values

We are looking for someone who lives our values every day:

Raise The Bar

Operate with the highest standards of professionalism and accountability.

Blaze New Trails

Experiment, innovate and challenge conventional thinking.

Bring Your Spark

Bring new ideas and fresh thinking to every challenge.

Win As One

Collaborate deeply across teams, disciplines and partners.

Obsess Over Outcomes

Create measurable impact for clients, people and the business

Join Us

This is more than a Managing Director role. It's an opportunity to lead one of Australia's most awarded agencies, shape the future of media and communications, and build a business where innovation, effectiveness and AI combine to create extraordinary outcomes for clients and people alike. If you're ready to help build the most pioneering communications business in Australia, we'd love to hear from you.

PHD, Together with our Omnicom Media Group network is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and people of all backgrounds to apply. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or marital, veteran, or disability status. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.