Director, Media Operations

Overview: The Director, Media Operations will be a solution-oriented business partner and builder within a complex Publicis Power of One team supporting a large, multi-channel media account. Partnering with the VP, Media Operations, this leader will build media operations from the ground up: designing process and ways of working, leading systems implementations, and automating manual workflows where possible. The candidate will own media and financial operations, including budgeting, billing, forecasting and reconciliation, integrate multiple parties within the media team and the Power of One team, drive process adoption and compliance, and lead and develop a team of two Supervisors. The ideal candidate is a builder. They have stood up operations on an account where nothing was established, and they thrive in ambiguity. They are genuinely curious about automation and AI, and they act on it. They are obsessed with continuous process improvement, can see the big picture, and are a systems thinker. They are a strong people leader who coaches, and they are financially sharp on billing and budgets.

Responsibilities: PROCESS & WAYS OF WORKINGBuild 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. AUTOMATION & SYSTEMSLead 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. Ensure accuracy of data pulls from various systems (e.g. Mediaocean/Prisma, Guidelines Planning, client's internal systems) Discover and deploy new tools and technologies to improve workflows and reduce agency risk. Offer administrative support, training, and troubleshooting for agency platforms. FINANCIAL OPERATIONSServe as the media business partner across agency financial teams and Publicis agencies. Own end-to-end budget management, billing, and financial compliance for the account. Improve and streamline media budget reporting, actualization, and billing processes, and ensure all reconciliations are completed according to client guidelines. Provide guidance and consultancy across budget hygiene from planning through billing handoff, working closely with key stakeholders including, but not limited to, Media Strategy & Activation, Media Finance, and Client Accounting: Partner with Strategy to establish and manage a media authorization process in line with client needs Oversee billing verification, budget management, and actualization reports that include data from client systems, Guidelines Planning and Mediaocean/PrismaWork with internal stakeholders to resolve discrepancies prior to monthly billing Analyze and explain variances Track client payables and receivables, answer client questions and resolve issues Oversee the account monthly budgeting process and be accountable for coordinating and resolving all forecast/billing related issues. Manage internal agency and holding company level forecasts. Work with the client to verify and reconcile any issues with the reporting of actuals. Support Key Account Leadership with assessing and communicating monthly risks and opportunities. CLIENT RELATIONSHIPMaintain client updates and identify/address media financial business challenges. Identify and communicate organizational or business challenges and work to deliver on the needs of the broader agency team and client as it pertains to media operations. Partner with business operations to manage the client reconciliation process as it relates to timely review and reconciliations. Primary contact for client finance questions. LEADERSHIPLead and develop direct reports (2 Supervisors), managing workload, priorities, and career growth.

Qualifications: 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. Comfortable and effective presenter, with strong interpersonal, client-facing, and communication skills. Organized, detail-oriented, obsessed with accuracy and good with time management. Superior critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Advanced Microsoft Office skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Preferred Qualifications: 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.

Compensation Range: USD $121,315.00 - USD $185,920.00/Annually. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third-party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 11/1/2026.