Associate Director, Client Operations

Business Overview

We believe in the power of media to reshape our industry and orchestrate a brand's entire consumer experience, by balancing both what unites people and what makes them different. When brands unite people in culture, they build Fame, and when brands connect individuals to their unique journeys, they build customer Flow. Initiative builds Fame & Flow for brands like Nike, Amazon, Merck, and T-Mobile. Media responsibility is at the forefront of everything we do, whether it's creating media plans that reflect the diversity of our communities, promote brand safety, and foster sustainability. Our agency celebrates diversity in an inclusive environment where all of our 6,000+ strong talent across 90+ markets feel seen, heard, and valued. Our vision is to create not only a better media company, but also a better media industry, and maybe even a better world.

We make a promise to our people that we double down on seeing, celebrating & elevating all the things that make you, uniquely you. And just as we do for our brands and clients, we connect our people to the journeys that matter in building a meaningful career.

There are four I's in Initiative and these represent our core values and behaviors.

• INDIVID[YOU]ALITY - you bring your genuine and unique self to and into the work, every day.
• INSTINCT - you're tuned in and armed with intelligence; you have a bias for action - shit happens when you're around.
• IMPACT! - you care deeply about the impact you have on our clients, their customers, our community, the media landscape and our world at large.
• IMAGINATION - your ability to imagine and bring to life the ideas, solutions, and the future of Initiative, makes us THE create media agency in the world.

Position Overview

We are currently seeking an experienced Associate Director to join our dynamic team dedicated to the Carnival Cruise Line business. Working closely with the Managing Director and Craft Group Directors, the successful candidate will play a key role in managing individual projects within our comprehensive program related to the Carnival business and tying back to the larger goals of the Mediabrands organization. In partnership with the MD and Craft Leads, this role will be responsible for establishing a clear, effective blueprint for streamlined ways of working - with the ultimate goals of increased team efficiency account-wide and flawless project completion & delivery. This person will work cross-functionally to identify opportunities for optimization & standardization across the teams as a whole- i.e. sharing resources, eliminating duplicate workstreams, making recommendations to help dismantle discipline silos, etc. The Associate Director will be responsible for the detailed execution of project plans, schedules, and budgets, to ensure that each project aligns with the overarching goals of the program and the organization.

Responsibilities:

• Drive Operational Excellence across the business, inclusive of brilliant basics, standardization of processes, automation of various workflows, and application of PM methodologies.
• Partner with business leadership and craft leads to create and manage annual roadmap of key projects and planning timelines and ensure full internal agency team has line of site into craft specific deliverables and any appropriate client action items.
• Maintain the agency team's "Hot Sheet" to ensure everyone, including business lead, is aware of key meetings, deliverables, and overall team status; support leadership in prioritizing weekly deliverables; highlighting any potential risks and remove blockers to success
• Champion all agency Tech & Tools (Asana & Interact) and orchestrate roadmap to drive internal adoption of Asana and Interact
• Partner with Carnival business lead and craft leads to identify opportunities of client adoption of agency tech and tools
• Manage the generation of projects & templatization related to E2E deliverables within agency PM platform (Asana)
• Support streamlining workflow with Carnival internal and external partners, most notably IAT relationship with TBWA, Carnival's creative agency
• Responsible for the creation and maintenance of the Carnival Operations playbook, documenting any & all internal and cross-agency ways of working.
• Team up with department leads to optimize project workflows and ensure alignment with organizational goals and processes.
• Develop and implement clear communication standards and protocols to streamline project-related communication.
• Establish and reinforce departmental standards for project management excellence across all projects
• Identify and address inefficiencies in project activation processes, while working collaboratively with stakeholders to identify and implement optimizations.
• Lead the definition and implementation of new processes to enhance operational efficiency across campaigns, in adherence to organization's processes
• Collaborate with team leadership and Head of Client Operations to support business leadership with to allocation og resources across projects and teams.
• In collaboration with team leads, develop onboarding and training materials to support the ongoing development of the team.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Subject Matter Expert in media Project Management tools like Smartsheets, Workfront, Asana, or any relevant Project Management software. Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications such as Powerpoint, excel, Google Docs, and project management tools like Smartsheet or similar.
• Strong direction and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and guide project teams.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
• Collaborative and team-oriented leadership style, with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships across the organization.
• Detail oriented with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Adaptable and able to work in a fast-paced and changing environment.
• Exceptional time management skills.

At IPG Mediabrands, we are unified behind a commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging. Together, we shine through a set of shared values and behaviors. We take pride in our responsibility to our clients, communities, and to each other. We embrace differences and recognize the unique value that each of us brings to our community.

We encourage you to apply, as unique backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences are welcomed.

We See You at IPG Mediabrands.

We offer a Total Rewards package that includes medical and dental coverage, 401(k) plans, flex spending, life insurance, disability, employee discount program, employee stock purchase program and paid family benefits to support you and your family. To give you the ability to better meet your personal needs, and in support of your physical and emotional well-being, you will receive discretionary time off days and company-wide Appreciation Weeks and Wellness Days.

We also offer a competitive Total Compensation package, including a competitive salary and eligibility for an annual discretionary incentive award or a relevant incentive award.

The salary range for this position is posted below. Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position, market considerations, budgetary considerations, tenure and standing with the Company (applicable to current employees), as well as the employee's/applicant's skill set, level of experience, and qualifications.

It is the policy of Mediabrands, division of the Interpublic group, to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. The job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and other job functions are subject to modification. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

For applicants to jobs in the United States: In compliance with the current Americans with Disabilities Act and state and local laws, if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position with Mediabrands, please email accommodation@mbww.com.

About IPG Mediabrands

IPG Mediabrands is the media and marketing solutions division of Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). IPG Mediabrands manages over $47 billion in marketing investment globally on behalf of its clients across its full-service agency networks UM, Initiative and Mediahub and through its award-winning specialty business units Healix, Kinesso, MAGNA, Mediabrands Content Studio, Orion Holdings, Rapport, and the IPG Media Lab. IPG Mediabrands clients include many of the world's most recognizable and iconic brands from a broad portfolio of industry sectors including automotive, personal finance, consumer product goods (CPG), pharma, health and wellness, entertainment, financial services, energy, toys and gaming, direct to consumer and e-commerce, retail, hospitality, food and beverage, fashion and beauty. The company employs more than 18,000 diverse marketing communication professionals in more than 130 countries. Learn more at www.ipgmediabrands.com.