OverviewThe Director, Operations is responsible for providing strategic and day-to-day operational leadership for the PepsiCo Client Operations team. This role oversees the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of processes, systems, and best practices to drive operational efficiency, financial accuracy, and consistency. The Director, Operations partners closely with cross-functional teams and leadership to ensure operational excellence, support business objectives, and drive accountability throughout the organization.
Responsibilities- Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing optimization of operational processes supporting media planning, investment, and campaign activation.
- Drive standardization initiatives, establish consistent workflows, taxonomy, naming conventions, and system requirements across brands and teams.
- Maintain direct ownership of key Guideline Planning (GLP) processes, including system governance, data integrity, workflow enhancements, and operational troubleshooting.
- Establish and maintain quality assurance processes to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance across media plans, authorizations, and system inputs.
- Lead the development and maintenance of playbooks, templates, guidelines, and training materials to support consistent execution across teams.
- Ensure operational alignment between media planning inputs, investment execution, authorizations, and downstream financial reporting.
- Serve as an escalation point for complex operational issues, proactively identifying risks and implementing long-term solutions.
- Partner with SVP, Operations and senior leadership to establish operational priorities, drive strategic initiatives, and support broader organizational objectives.
- Lead and support cross-functional operational projects, establishing clear expectations, deliverables, timelines, and accountability across participating teams.
- Identify opportunities to improve broader operational effectiveness through workflow optimization, process improvements, and enhanced ways of working.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with Clients and internal departments, fostering collaboration, communication, and alignment on organizational priorities.
- Provide operational guidance and support for internal reporting, time tracking, onboarding, and other team management processes.
- Partner with Finance, Planning, and Investment leadership to ensure accurate and consistent financial processes, financial compliance, budget management, forecasting, and reporting.
- Oversee and manage the draft billing process for various portfolio brands.
- Support SVP, Operations with Scope Tracking, Staff Plan Management, etc.
- Manage and develop direct reports through ongoing coaching, performance management, delegation, and professional development opportunities.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
- Lead and support ad hoc operational projects and business initiatives as needed.
QualificationsEducation and Experience:- Bachelor's Degree.
- 7+ years of experience in operations, media planning, or project/client management within an agency environment.
- Project management certifications are a bonus.
Managerial and Operational Skills:- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement operations standards, workflows, and best practices across cross-functional teams.
- Strong understanding of media planning and buying processes, financial workflows, reporting requirements, and campaign execution
Technical Proficiency:- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
- Guideline Planning (MediaTools) experience preferred.
- Experience with MediaOcean / Prisma and other media planning and investment systems.
- Experience with Project Management/Workload Management tools.
- Experience and interest in AI adoption, AI tools/usage.
Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills:- Exceptional critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
Communication and Detail Orientation:- Exhibits strong communication skills, including clear writing and professional speaking, strong listening skills and tactfully communicating positions on relevant issues.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, navigate ambiguity, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
- Professional presentation, training, and client-facing skills.
Problem-Solving Approach:- Hands-on problem-solving abilities with a "can-do" approach, combining thinking and doing.
Proactive and Forward-Thinking:- Demonstrates forward thinking, ideating, and considering next steps with minimal direction.
Team Collaboration & Development:- Ability to manage up to senior reporting managers and effectively delegate/manage down to direct reports.
- Embodies a positive, team-player attitude.
- A passion for learning new skillsets, receptive to constructive feedback and desire for career growth.
Reporting and Succession - Reports directly to SVP, Operations
