Crossword Genius

One director offers first third in advance (5,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ahead of

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'third in advance' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I cannot judge whether this works.

'one director offers first' is the wordplay.
'one' becomes 'a' (a thing is one thing).
'director' becomes 'head' (I've seen this in another clue).
'offers first' becomes 'of' (this could be a standard abbreviation which I don't know about).
'a'+'head'+'of'='AHEAD OF'

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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