ABOUT US
IPG Mediabrands is the media and marketing solutions division of Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). Mediabrands manages approximately $40 billion in marketing investment globally on behalf of its clients and provides strategic services and solutions across its award-winning, full-service agency networks UM, Initiative and Mediahub and through its innovative marketing specialist companies Kinesso, Magna, Orion, Rapport and Mediabrands Content Studio.
Mediabrands clients include many of the world’s most recognizable and iconic brands from a broad portfolio of industry sectors. The company employs more than 13,000 marketing experts in more than 130 countries representing the full diversity of humanity. For more information, please visit our website: www.ipgmediabrands.com
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Media Operations team in UK IPG Mediabrands is a strategic operational function based in London that defines and governs standards and processes across the campaign management lifecycle. We are looking for a Head of Media Operations who will be responsible for defining the strategy and vision for the UK function, liaising with leadership teams across the UK, EMEA and US headquarters to ensure alignment and secure buy-in where required with a specific focus on driving offshore capabilities.
This role will be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy to optimize media operations through effective offshoring. In addition, the role is also responsible for identifying and prioritising key areas of improvement, ensuring best practice standards, governance and processes are effectively designed and implemented across our UK business.
The Media Operations team is responsible for ensuring delivery excellence by being a central hub for booking, trafficking and reconciliation activity. You will be leading a team (onshore x 2 and offshore x 18) that delivers for all SBUs across our IPG Mediabrands network, being a focal point for working with a range of functions; from Account Management to Craft teams to Finance.
While the core of your role will be ensuring your offshore team deliver media bookings on our MediaOcean booking platform through to financial reconciliation as per agreed SLAs, your onshore team will be the key conduit with the Mediabrands network to continuously scale and enhance Media Operations.
Given the strategic nature of this role, you will play a key part in our group-wide transformation efforts which aim to drive standardisation and efficiencies across the business. You will be supporting the transformation programme in design, delivery and change management within the scope of Media Operations. As part of this role, you will help develop the compelling business case for expansion of the offshore capability.
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in media operations, experience in managing offshore teams, a proven track record of driving operational efficiency, demonstrable experience with MediaOcean (including Prisma and other modules). This person will thrive on continuously evolving the Media Operations team and driving its eminence across the group.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
Direct reports:
- Media Operations Manager (x2)
- Digital Fee Governance Lead
Key stakeholders:
- Agency leadership
- Client team leads
- MediaOcean Product Owner
- Finance leadership and team
- Billings leadership and team
- Global Capability Centre (GCC) leadership and team
- UK Transformation team
KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Drive the continuous development of an industry-leading Media Operations team (onshore and offshore)
- Lead the planning and execution of offshoring initiatives to ensure the seamless integration of offshore capabilities into the existing media operations framework
- Set, implement and continuously enhance key Media Operations processes and the governance model to ensure compliance and quality
- Identify innovative and technology-driven solutions to support further systemisation of Media Operations processes
- Develop trusted relationships with key stakeholders
- Work closely with the MediaOcean Product Owner to identify, prioritise and roll out the relevant features and functions in line with our strategic transformation objectives
- Ensure the offshore Media Operations team continue to perform in accordance with agreed SLAs (which are to be continuously reviewed)
- Manage the onshore Media Operations team and provide clear direction (and set KPIs) aligned to the overall Media Operations and group transformation vision and objectives
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement among offshore team
- Provide regular reporting to key stakeholders and leadership, articulating progress of Media Operations across client team adoption, feature adoption, financial and innovation metrics
- Act as the point of escalation for all issues regarding Media Operations
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- Experience in a similar role in the media industry, or in a strategic operational role within professional services
- Proven experience in driving offshore capabilities
- Experience with standard digital media operational systems and tools, most importantly MediaOcean (including Prisma and other modules)
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence a broad range of stakeholders
- Detail-oriented, data-driven, organised, with the ability to thrive in an operational and transformation capacity
- Demonstrable experience in process improvement, project management and change management
- Leadership and strategic vision
- Media Operations expertise
- Senior stakeholder management
- Change management and process improvement
- Operational and data-driven mindset
- Commercial acumen
Employee Transparency
At IPG Mediabrands, we celebrate differences and believe this makes us stronger. IPG Mediabrands are equal-opportunity employers committed to championing an inclusive culture that provides a sense of belonging for all our employees. We do not discriminate against any applicant based on age, disability, race, colour, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, belief, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Please reach out to our Talent Inclusion Specialist Jess at [email protected] if you would like to have a confidential conversation regarding any adjustments that would ensure our recruitment process is accessible for you. Please note requesting a reasonable adjustment will not affect your application.
The Perks
We aim to provide all our people with a supportive and fun work environment where you can develop your full potential and benefit from the broad range of opportunities within the agency. When you join us, we want to make sure you feel valued – and that you are rewarded for your fantastic work. So, we also offer a range of benefits:
- Flexi–leave, with 25 days annual leave to be taken as minimum. In addition to your holiday entitlement, the office usually closes between Christmas & New Year
- Free breakfast and free lunch
- Early finish Fridays
- Core Hours (Mon-Thurs, flexible start/finish times)
- Retail discounts
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifices car scheme
- Wellbeing programme, including Headspace & flu jabs
- Interest free season ticket loan
- Paid time off for Volunteering
- Group Income Protection
- Life Assurance
- Private Medical Insurance or Health Cash Plan (dependent on level)
- Group Personal Pension Plan with matched contributions from 3-6%
- Generous Parental Leave & Pay
- Independent mortgage advice
- Financial education
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Free eye tests
- Flexible benefits including Dental, Travel insurance, Cycle to Work, Gym Discounts and many more!
Similar Jobs
What We Do
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 specialized 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
