Director, Media Operations

Responsibilities

• Build media operations process and ways of working from the ground up, including media operations playbooks, standard operating procedures, ways of working, and training materials.
• Participate as an active leader in the agency’s development of a media operations framework and build a media operations team in support of client operational excellence.
• Turn ambiguous or undefined workflows into documented, repeatable processes, and drive adoption across strategy, channel investment, and client teams.
• Drive process adoption and optimization, and maintain a high level of integrity in an environment that has high urgency and is outcomes oriented.
• Track key Ops-led activities, anticipate challenges, and raise the appropriate flags to ensure timely execution of deliverables.
• Key partner in overseeing delivery of media services against the SOW, including contracted guarantees, and driving agency compliance of scope.
• Lead the automation of manual workflows, using AI tools where possible, to improve speed, accuracy, and scalability across media operations (e.g., billing trackers, planned/delivered/billed reporting, workflow automation, and budget controls).
• Identify where AI and automation can replace manual work, then scope, build, and roll out solutions in partnership with teams.
• Drive system and data alignment and systems implementations, such as Prisma taxonomy, MediaTools rollout, and cross-system data connectivity.
• Execute routine process and data quality checks to ensure accuracy and optimal efficiency whilst re-inventing processes as needed.

Requirements

• University Degree or College Diploma or Equivalent Work Experience, preferred in Marketing, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Communications/Advertising.
• Ideal candidate has media or advertising agency experience and understands the inner workings of the agency model.
• 7+ years of overall industry experience with 5+ years in media operations within the Advertising and/or Media field, including experience leading and developing direct reports.
• Proven track record of building processes or an operating model from the ground up on a new or immature account.
• Billing, budget management, forecasting, and reconciliation experience within a media agency, with strong financial acumen.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and shifting priorities, with the ability to create order from chaos.
• Hands-on interest in automation and AI, with a track record of using tools to streamline manual workflows.
• A continuous improvement mindset and systems thinker who can see the big picture and connect the dots.
• Proven capabilities leading projects from conception to implementation, and managing concurrent projects.
• Excellent leadership skills and the ability to inspire and interact with all levels of staff.

Preferred

• Experience with Prisma/Mediaocean, Guidelines/MediaTools.
• Hands-on experience with automation and AI tools (e.g., Power Automate, generative AI tools, Power BI, advanced Excel).
• Experience leading systems implementations, taxonomy, or data governance initiatives.
• Exposure to SOX compliance and contract or SOW governance.

Benefits

• Our best-in-class wellness and benefits offerings include:Paid Family Care for parents and caregivers for 12 weeks or moreMonetary assistance and support for Adoption, Surrogacy and FertilityMonetary assistance and support for pet adoptionEmployee Assistance Programs and Health/Wellness/Comfort reimbursements to help you invest in your future and work/life balanceTuition AssistancePaid time off that includes Flexible Time off Vacation, Annual Sick Days, Volunteer Days, Holiday and Identity days, and moreMatching Gifts programsFlexible working arrangements‘Work Your World’ Program encouraging employees to work from anywhere Publicis Groupe has an office for up to 6 weeks a year (based upon eligibility)Business Resource Groups that support multiple affinities and alliances