Director, Product Operations

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At EssenceMediacom we want to eradicate inequity. We don't tolerate it and when we see it, we act. We attract, support, and develop our talent without bias and strive to foster the empathy, creativity and diversity of thought needed to drive meaningful change for our people, our clients, our industry, and our society. WPP and GroupM have already made strong commitments to combat racial injustice. While we are part of this group, we know we have an individual responsibility as an employer and an industry leader to fight against racism. 

Even if you don’t meet all the requirements, that’s okay, and we encourage you to apply anyway to find out more about whether this is the right match for you.

Did you know that marginalised groups including women, people of colour and people with a disability are more likely to discount themself for a role if they don't feel they meet every requirement or understand the reasonable adjustment that can be made? This is why we encourage connection and conversation to ensure that everyone has the opportunity and information needed to find the right role, for them. If this role isn’t quite right, you may be the perfect fit for another – so go ahead, apply, and find out!

Overview of role

We are looking for a Director of Product Operations to work within our energetic and growing Technology, Product & Operations Team at EssenceMediacom UK. Working across the breadth of the business this role will lead and develop our products and systems to support the ever-changing technology requirements within the industry alongside being able to articulate to our internal teams the pros, cons and differences and limitations of a wide range of technology systems.  This candidate will work collaboratively with colleagues in multiple departments, at GroupM and other agencies to ensure the successful development and roll out of products, feeding the requirements of the business into product roadmaps and developing training and roll out plans to drive the implementation of new tools and systems within EssenceMediacom.  They will also work closely with different members of our Technology, Product and Operations team, providing expertise and training to develop their skills and build future leaders.

Working alongside colleagues in EssenceMediacom client teams, regional offices, international teams, GroupM UK and other GroupM agencies and Choreograph, they will drive the implementation and roll out of multiple business critical projects, supporting and developing best practice across the business and balancing the requirements of multiple stakeholders.  Projects include (but are not limited to) industry-wide/agnostic tools such as Mediaocean, Prisma and Wrike, as well as proprietary tools developed in house.  This candidate will have excellent technical knowledge, excellent communication skills and a proven record in delivering key client focused projects.  Their collaborative nature and desire to promote improvements in processes and working practices will benefit the whole agency. They will also manage 1 Senior Associate Director, and 1 Operations Manager ensuring they deliver their goals.

Reporting of the role

This role reports to the Partner, Head of Technology, Product & Operations.

3 best things about the job

1. Great team to work with who are always looking to learn.

2. Variety of work always considering how we improve and develop.

3. Being part of the future facing approach from EssenceMediacom UK

Measures of success

In three months, you would have:

• Developed strong working relationships with your stakeholders both internally and across the Group. 

• Understood the key aspects of the major systems we use to manage our business and identify improvements. 

• Detail and manage ongoing projects ensuring they are on track. 

• Built out relationship with team to ensure they are all clear on their KPIs. 

In six months, you would have:

• Build a relationship with your peers at Group M, other GroupM agencies, key suppliers including Mediaocean and Wrike. 

• Build out and manage a roadmap for the year covering all key projects 

• Provide regular status updates to key Stakeholders 

• Participate in workshops either within EssenceMediacom, GroupM and Choreograph representing EssenceMediacom 

• Work with Practice heads to ensure SME are included in all integration discussions. 

• Be confident in being able to ask questions and challenge productively to improve the platform and team processes. Regularly presenting/discussing improvements and process to improve overall efficiency. 

• Be an expert in operational matters across our major clients. 

• Work with Digital Operations, Technology and Finance to support cross media accuracy, finance rigour and efficiency. 

In 12 months, you would have:

• Lead operational system developments and migrations, working with internal and external stakeholders. 

• Share knowledge with own team and other key stakeholders building our expertise in these systems. 

• Drive adoption of new systems and tools across the business, ensuring use and best practice are embedded in teams and incorporated into new starter processes

• Collaborate with GroupM and other agencies to develop product roadmaps for further improvements to tools and systems

Responsibilities of the role

• Leading knowledge expertise across the team.

• Assisting with the roll out of new developments/big system enhancements to both Prisma and Spectra systems, including liaising with client teams on the roll out of new functionality.  This includes managing adoption. Work across Business Groups and Regional Offices to ensure we have continuity of approach. 
• Feed into Senior Management internally and across the Group on future development/roadmap for systems. 

• Able to articulate (to internal stakeholders and clients alike) the pros, cons, differences, and limitations of a wide range of technology systems. Responds positively to requests for help or support.

• Have a good knowledge of the digital technology marketplace, whether from an agency, media owner or ad tech background. 

• Effectively manage and prioritise workload, both in terms of day-to-day tasks and further projects. 

• Able to quickly identify any potential issues within the team and produce workable solutions. 

• Responds positively to requests for help or support. 

• Able to spot gaps in technical solutions and identify ways in which this can be fixed/improved 

• Ensure that all solutions are documented and available to be shared 

What you will need

• Strategic and action-focused with the ability to inspire and drive positive change 

• Deep, hands-on experience of the full end-to-end campaign management cycle and their financial implications. 

• A comprehensive understanding of technology systems and their interactions, along with a willingness to learn and curiosity about new systems. Experience of this in the media industry would be advantageous.

• Forward thinking and isn't afraid to call out or question certain practices and identify better ways of working. 

• Comfortable with a high degree of change and can inspire and create positive change across teams. 

• Ability to work to tight deadlines, with a strong attention to detail and an aptitude for problem solving and process. 

• Assertive yet diplomatic with exceptional stakeholder management skills delivering high levels of satisfaction. 

• Proven experience in leading high performing teams and effectively integrating process and automation initiatives into operational model 
• Background in project management, business analysis or business improvement would be desirable. 

About EssenceMediacom

We are a global communications agency leading with breakthrough thinking, building explosive growth for brands, and helping our clients see the bigger picture. Our daring global network of 10,000 influencers help our clients breach traditional boundaries in media, uncover novel ideas, and unleash exponential growth. EssenceMediacom challenges conventional thinking to build, propel, and supercharge our clients’ businesses at scale and lead our industry in critical areas such as diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability.  

EssenceMediacom understands that our people are tasked with big goals: building breakthrough growth for brands and leading with breakthrough thinking in our industry. Our people are at the heart of this work because their ideas will enable us to decode the intersections of people, content, and technology to bring our aspirations to life. Our success is down to our eclectic, diverse, and talented people. EssenceMediacom is a place for us to grow our careers and expand our horizons. EssenceMediacom is committed to building an agency culture that supports our people, puts diversity at the forefront of our operations, and creates opportunity for all. This collective culture will be our “new power” where ideas are freely exchanged, and collaboration is actively encouraged in a place where you can innovate in our hyperconnected world.  

*Although we cannot make guarantees, we welcome conversations about flexible working for all roles at Essencemediacom London*

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