Vice President, Client Operations

Vice President, Client Operations

Toronto, ON

The ideal candidate is an established leader who has a proven record operationalizing large Agency Accounts, and driving excellence through the implementation of Client Operational best practices. This role is client facing, owning structure, scope, process and proactive finance management for a group of Accounts.

This person is cool, calm and collected with a proactive, solution-oriented, strategic voice. The ideal candidate has the ability to confidently engage in tough conversations with internal team members, partners and clients, communicating a clear and concise POV that establishes Weber Shandwick as a trusted, strategic partner.

You are responsible for the optimization of Account staff structure, scope review, establishing processes and workflows at the account level, and overseeing the financial health of each account. If the Account Lead is the Account "CEO", you are the Account "COO".

RESPONSIBILITIES

Portfolio Operations

• Primary voice with clients, representing agency relative to financial management of the account (SOW development and approvals, scope revisions, client financial reporting). Partners closely with agency account and finance leads
• Proactive, big picture financial management to balance actuals with forecast to flag risks to account leads, including analysis of data to provide recommendations to reduce overservice or correct a chronic issue
• Connects the dots between procurement, brand and marketing clients, in alignment with agency priorities and scope
• Scope complex projects as required, recommending staff and hours required for the deliverables
• Drive high level and long-range forecasting for staff hours, based on minimal information
• Guide the account team on Vendor contracting, reviewing complex contracts as needed
• Supports cross-functional Agency teams on roles and responsibilities, process and templates
• New account set up in partnership with account lead, including recommended team structure, process, templates, staff & financial forecasting

Management/Leadership

• Supports new-business opportunities with input on staff structure and financial scoping
• Provides a breadth of process and business skills as well as hands-on experience
• Able to negotiate conflict, manage differences of opinion, and communicate effectively
• Mentors and manages up to 2 project managers and / or client financial reporting managers

Resource Management

• Responsible for utilization metrics, leveraging real-time data vs forecast to project potential risks
• Partners with Resource Director and discipline leads to identify and manage resource needs for short and long term, monitoring impact on capacity and proactively managing risk
• Partners with agency account lead to manage team on-boarding processes

QUALIFICATIONS

• 8-10+ years of professional Client Operations experience in an agency setting, preferably in corporate communications, management consulting is a plus but not required
• Strong skills in scoping, pricing, financial management and timeline development for large, complex programs
• Ideal candidate should have familiarity with different types of programs and deliverables, such as strategic planning, creative ideation, video, social and editorial content, digital, event-based programs, and vendor management
• Project Management background is an asset
• Ability to assess existing processes and identify opportunities to increase efficiency
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Proficient in collaboration tools such as Microsoft Products and Smartsheets

The Weber Shandwick Collective recognizes that your health and wellbeing are a priority. This is why we offer a full suite of benefits including:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• RRSP (with employer match)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Juice Money - $60 monthly reimbursement to be used towards purchases that nourish your health, mind, body, and soul
• Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) - $50 monthly cell phone reimbursement
• MyDays - Flexible time off
• Short-Term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave Policy

Weber Shandwick is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Weber Shandwick recruits qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, age, ethnic or national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or citizenship status.

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