Executive Director | $300K Package

Blue Bateau is recruiting for one of Australia’s most progressive creative innovation companies – seeking an exceptional Executive Director to lead their Public Practice and drive growth across government, cultural institutions, and commonwealth corporations.

This is one of the most senior client leadership positions in the company, reporting directly to the Managing Director. The role blends strategic growth, creative innovation delivery, and C-suite relationship management across some of Australia’s most significant accounts.

As Executive Director, you will be responsible for:

Client Leadership & Growth
– Sustain and grow a $5m+ client portfolio across public sector, government departments, cultural institutions, and commonwealth corporations
– Develop and execute client engagement strategies that drive account expansion and new revenue opportunities
– Build trusted C-suite and senior relationships with government, corporate, and cultural institutions
– Lead responses to RFPs and drive new business pursuits and pitches
– Ensure continuity and growth across long-term strategic client relationships

Team Leadership
– Lead multidisciplinary teams of 15-20+ people across Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne and APAC delivery hubs
– Coach and mentor client service teams, fostering interdisciplinary excellence
– Drive team retention and create a culture of creative innovation
– Act as a cultural leader within the company

Strategic Delivery
– Lead multi-year creative, experience, and digital programs across public and enterprise clients
– Push creative and digital work that sets new industry standards
– Champion the intersection of creativity, technology, and transformation
– Lead engagements across creative communications, brand transformation, customer experience strategy and design, data and business intelligence, product development, and technology transformation
– Drive AI-enabled innovation for client growth

Essential Requirements:
– 10+ years’ experience in client leadership, consulting, or leading transformations client-side
– Proven success managing multi-million-dollar, multi-year accounts
– Strong background in public sector, government, or complex enterprise clients (banking, telecommunications, higher education)
– Experience leading large multidisciplinary teams (15-20+ people)
– Demonstrated ability to grow revenue through organic expansion and new business
– Fluency in AI and its application to drive creative and technology innovation
– Excellent presentation and communication skills with ability to influence boards, executives, and government decision-makers
– Australian Citizenship and ability to gain security clearance
– Based in or willing to relocate to Canberra

What’s On Offer
– $300,000 per annum package including superannuation
– Lead one of Australia’s most significant public sector practices
– Work at the intersection of creativity, technology, and transformation
– Shape the future of how government and cultural institutions engage with Australians
– Multidisciplinary team environment spanning strategy, creative, technology, and data

Canberra

Blue Bateau