Director-Creative Operations

Creative Operations Director will not only have command of agency services but also influence over strategic and creative recommendations and client-side decision-making by being seen as the “agency lead” for their assigned brand.Leadership Persona:• Account lead - Owns several brands or one large brand
• An expert in brand and all aspects of a client’s business, being able to speak to the category, across channels/audiences, etc. – and to the larger internal teams
• 8-10 years of experience
• Oversees account(s) totaling $4-10M+ in agency fee
• Presence – Authoritative (informed) and strategic mindset when meeting with the team, agency leaders, or clients
• Masterful communicator with a combination of listening, speaking, and business writing skills; knows when to pick up the phone, when to be at the client, when to email
• Ability to identify cautionary client/project concerns that warrant proactive agency solutions and escalate to senior agency leadership
Relationship Building:
• Trust and personal equity with all cross-functional team members to be able to rally them when needed to address client needs
• Regularly works with strategy and creative to provide clear and proactive POVs on brand milestones, competitors, or market events
• External – Recognized as the leading voice in clients’ mind
• Considers broader ways to “get a seat at the table” by developing relationships with extended client team and client vendors (e.g., research team, sales training, medical, etc.)
• Fosters collaboration for innovative client solutions, always looking for ways to better serve the client, to grow their business
• Manages up with a clear narrative for the account overall; mentors junior staff to improve their performance

Operational Proficiency:
• Brand oversight - Accountable to all aspects of projects within assigned brand; and ensuring strategic rationale and creative vision
• Ensures team members are delivering quality deliverables
• Manage team through the development of strategic project briefs and ensures client agreement to all assumptions
• Review all deliverables to meet quality standards and client expectations
• Manage cross-functional teams to ensure an organized delivery of effective and engaging creative reviews of assets
• Effectively activates the right people at the right time to connect and drive forward key client/brand workstreams
Financial Stewardship:

• Manage total budget by having proactive, ongoing conversations with project management team and clients/VP to meet revenue goals
• Final reviewer/approver of all project estimates, SOWs and finance trackers to ensure accuracy
• Accountable to monthly forecasts provided to leadership and transparently address issues that may impact budgets
• Responsible for leading Phasing & Utilization process internally; able to communicate a clear and coherent narrative to explain budget phasing changes/implications
• Ability to identify and pull-forward tactics to support staff utilization and meet projected forecast as needed
Other Skillsets:

• Looks for ways to integrate workstreams, to establish rapport, best practices and demonstrate their commitment to team
• Spearheads brand planning process with strategy and creative to deliver the most innovative ideas possible and solidify role as a strong partner
• Can have ‘tough’ conversations internally and with clients, but handles them with professionalism and dignity to build further trust
• Identifies opportunities for live interactions as much as possible, focusing on ensure the best possible client experience