Manager - Creative Operations

Creativity has the power to transform human behavior This is the core belief of what we call HumanKind. It's not about advertising or brand propositions or selling products. It's about people and purpose. It's an approach to marketing that serves true human needs, not the other way around. That's why everything we do for brands at Leo Burnett MEA is designed with a human purpose in mind. A brand without purpose is one that will never be understood or embraced by people. A brand with purpose can be a true agent of change and transform the way people think, feel or act. A brand with a true HumanKind purpose can change the world. Our dream is to be the best creator of ideas that truly move people - bar none. Leo Burnett Worldwide, part of Publicis Groupe, is one of the world’s largest agency networks with 96 offices and nearly 10,000 employees. In 2012, the global network was awarded a record-breaking 55 Lions at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity and was also named “Network of the Year” by YoungGuns, Dubai Lynx and MENA Cristal Awards. Leo Burnett works with some of the world’s most valuable brands including The Coca-Cola Company, Fiat, Kellogg’s, McDonald’s, Nintendo, P&G, Samsung and Allstate among others. To learn more about Leo Burnett Middle East and North Africa visit leoburnettmea.com, facebook.com/leoburnettmea and follow us via @LeoBurnettMEA on Twitter and Instagram.

The Creative Operations Manager at Publicis communications is a leader responsible for overseeing the operations of the agency's creative department. This individual must have a strong creative background to be able to understand and have a strong input on campaigns and awards entries while also managing the day-to-day operations of the creative department. Additionally, this role will also require meeting clients, supporting the CCO on trafficking and upscaling the creative product, and supporting on awards submissions. It is essential that the individual hired for this position is able to understand the transition the region is going through in upscaling the creative product and is able to traffic the work to ensure that it meets the needs of the agency.

Main Tasks

Technical & Product

• Develop and implement processes and workflows to ensure that all projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to the highest standards.
• Manage Traffic across KSA.
• Work closely with the CCO to develop and implement creative operations strategies that drive creative excellence and operational efficiency.
• Work collaboratively with Communications consultancy and project management, strategy, and other cross-functional teams to develop and execute strategies that ensure high-quality creative output and a smooth process.
• Manage award entries across KSA.

Business Acumen & Operational Efficiency

• Provide creative direction and guidance on projects, ensuring that all work is on brand, on brief, and of the highest quality.
• Foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the creative department and across the agency.
• Identify gaps and drive efficincies across the KSA Offices including hubs.
• Meet with clients to understand their creative needs, provide creative solutions, and build strong relationships.

Innovative & Analytical Mindset

• Work collaboratively with account management, strategy, and other cross-functional teams to develop and execute strategies that ensure high-quality creative output and a smooth process.
• Support the CCO on trafficking and upscaling the creative product, including identifying opportunities for new business and growth.
• Support on awards submissions, including identifying and selecting appropriate work for submission, preparing entry materials, and coordinating the submission process.
• Plan and manage creative capacity to ensure that the team is not overloaded, and creatives have a good work-life balance.

 8+ years of experience in a creative services or leadership role, preferably within an advertising or marketing agency.

• Strong creative background with experience in creative process and ideas across a range of media, including TV, digital, social, print, and experiential.

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high quality and attention to detail.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with clients, internal teams, and external partners.

• Strong business acumen, with the ability to understand and interpret client briefs, develop creative solutions that meet client objectives, and manage budgets and timelines.

• Experience with trafficking and upscaling creative products.

• Experience with awards submissions and a strong track record of award wins.