Managing Director

At AKQA (part of WPP) we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful ideas, products and services. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive digital services and applications that capture the imagination, delivering impressive returns for our clients. We partner with our clients to create a better future, through world‑leading work, constant innovation and care. The Managing Director is responsible for developing and driving the studio's overall strategy, fostering creative excellence, and delivering commercial growth. The role will cultivate a safe, inclusive, and collaborative environment where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to deliver their best work. ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES: Strategic Direction: Develop and execute strategic plans for the studio. Client Growth and Acquisition: Strategise growth with existing clients and lead new business initiatives to win new clients. Client Relationship Management: Build and nurture strong relationships with key client stakeholders, becoming a trusted advisor and partner. Financial Performance: Drive the studio's revenue growth, profit margin, staff utilisation, and billability targets. Team Culture and Wellbeing: Cultivate a positive, supportive, and inspiring work environment where team members feel valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. Leadership and Goal Setting: Provide clear direction, set challenging goals, and empower the team to reach their full potential. Creative Excellence: Inspire the team to develop purposeful, pioneering work for our clients, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and innovation. Team Development: Mentor and coach team members, providing regular feedback and development opportunities to enhance skills and expertise. Budget and Risk Management: Oversee budgets, forecast accurately, and analyse financial data to identify growth opportunities and mitigate risks. Regional Collaboration: Collaborate with the regional leadership to increase revenue, share best practices, and align on strategic initiatives. Global Alignment: Work closely with the regional leadership to deliver AKQA global ambitions. QUALITIES & CHARACTERISTICS: Leadership Attitude: Lead by example, inspiring teams to excel and surpass expectations. Market‑Specific Expertise: Strong understanding of the Italian market, including cultural and business dynamics. Experience working with Italian clients and an ability to tailor strategies to the local market, as well as service global brands and businesses. Studio or Department Leadership Experience: Prior experience leading a department or studio, with a strong track record of driving performance, managing teams, and delivering growth. Industry Knowledge: Understanding of creative services, marketing and/or product experiences. Understanding of best‑in‑class, with proof of being able to elevate the experiences and products made/sold in service of moving the brand or business forward. Strategic Sensibility: A proven hands‑on leader with applied examples. Commercial Acumen: Ability to forecast, plan, and track. Ability to balance growth with service. Emerging Design & Technology Knowledge: Stay ahead of industry trends and possess a deep understanding of emerging technologies to guide clients toward cutting‑edge solutions. Language Skills: Proficiency in English at a business level is essential. Hands‑on Service: Comfortable getting into the details when necessary, ensuring a deep understanding of project requirements and the ability to contribute directly to the creative process. The Gross Annual Pay range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. This reflects part of our broader group's compensation framework across diverse agencies and disciplines. For this specific role our offer will be determined based on our internal benchmark, reflecting the specific market conditions for our discipline. Individual compensation varies based on job‑related factors, including business needs, experience, level of responsibility and qualifications. The employment contract will be governed by CCNL Aziende del Terziario distribuzione e Servizi. Salary band €98,000—€195,000 EUR. We believe great work happens when we’re together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach including required in‑office days. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process. AKQA is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers. About WPP WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting‑edge media intelligence and data solutions, world‑class creativity, next‑generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com. #J-18808-Ljbffr