Title: SouthWest State Manager (WA and SA)
Reports to: National Head of Engagement
Status: Part-time (3-4 days per week)
Location: Perth, WA (covering WA and SA)
Role Purpose
Lead Advertising Council Australia’s (ACA) presence, growth, and industry engagement across Western Australia and South Australia as the regional representative. Operating with high autonomy as a remote colleague, this senior role leads the execution of ACA's national strategy, while also driving a SouthWest agenda which includes some localised initiatives that also support the national strategy. The State Manager acts as the primary connector across agency leaders, clients, media, local industry bodies (eg. WAMA and PADC), and government to build capability, profile, and community across both markets.
Working closely with the leadership team, the State Manager executes locally against ACA's national strategy and calendar, tailoring as required. Programs sit under ACA’s three core pillars:
- Thriving People and Culture
- Elevating Creative Impact
- Building Sustainable Advantage
Key Responsibilities
1. Membership Growth & Industry Engagement
- Lead strategic market development by driving membership acquisition, retention, and engagement across WA and SA.
- Build and manage trusted relationships with agency CEOs, senior leaders, and industry partners.
- Promote national programs including Accreditation, Create Space, Value-Based Pricing, Reconciliation, and Environment & Sustainability, as well as the Cannes Young Lions competition.
- Serve as the local point of contact for member advice, regulatory guidance, and best-practice tools.
- Identify, manage and execute local SouthWest initiatives that address unique WA/SA market opportunities that will drive regional profile and engagement.
2. Professional Development & Talent
- Lead end-to-end local delivery of ACA education programs, including AdSchool, recruiting facilitators from member agencies as needed.
- Manage AWARD School regionally: recruit state chairs, tutors, and portfolio judges, and oversee mentor nights and graduations.
- Facilitate early-career pathway program, JumpStart, to connect emerging talent with local agencies.
3. Events & Community Activation
- Amplify the national event calendar locally while tailoring initiatives to specific WA/SA market needs.
- Encourage participation in key awards/events eg AWARD Awards, Effie Awards, Cannes Download
- Oversee event delivery hands-on, managing venue logistics, promotion, facilitation, and post-event evaluation.
- Support and advise local Youngbloods committees in WA and SA.
4. Industry Advocacy & Communications
- Advocate for the value of commercial creativity and high industry standards to local stakeholders and government.
- Promote regional agency successes and contribute local content to national communications.
Key Capabilities & Qualifications
- Background: Senior industry experience, agency or client community (e.g., Senior Account Director, Client Lead, Marketing Manager or other) with strong knowledge of agency business models.
- Network: Established relationships across the WA/SA advertising, media, and creative sectors are a bonus.
- Operational Skills: Strong project, budget, and event management abilities. Ability to use modern business communication and management platforms is essential.
- Work Style: Highly autonomous, proactive, and willing to "roll up sleeves" for hands-on event execution. Key to this role is the ability to engage with industry people at all levels; B2B relationships at business-leader level are just as important as one-on-one discussions with aspiring industry entrants. This is a people industry, and this role is all about leveraging the interests, passions of aspirations of those you meet.
Working Conditions
- Flexible working hours across 3–4 days per week.
- Primarily work from home with regular presence in members’ offices
- Requirement to attend evening events and industry functions as needed.
- Occasional interstate travel (e.g., Sydney 2–3 times per year for planning and national festivals).
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at AC
We believe diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our industry's success. Through our national Create Space initiative, we are committed to building safe, inclusive, and rewarding workplaces where people of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences are supported to achieve their full potential.
We warmly encourage applications from First Nations people, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, culturally and linguistically diverse individuals, people living with disability, and candidates of all age groups and gender identities.
Send your CV and cover letter to: jones@adcouncil.org.au
