At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the transition of new clients and manage all operational aspects.
- Company: Join a leading media agency known for its innovative approach.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, flexible working options, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of client transitions and make a significant impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in operations management and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Company description
With a history that dates back over 80 years, Starcomis a global communications planning and media leader. We are an agency still grounded in our founding principle that people are at the centre of all we do. Each day, we apply this belief to harness the transformative power of data and technology to inspire and move people and business forward. With more than 7,000 employees in over 100 offices around the world, we are the flagship Publicis Media agency that uses our ‘Power of One’ business model, with teams that span multiple disciplines across clients such as Aldi, P&G, P&O Ferries, Primark, Samsung, Stellantis, and Visa.
We place a huge focus on our People and have driven flagship D&I and L&D programmes within Publicis Media; our goal is to help every individual reach their fullest potential and we encourage everyone to make “Brave Plays” in how they approach their work and their own career development. As a result, we have an exceptionally energised and committed talent base, all of us proud of our welcoming and supportive culture, as evidenced by our recognition as one of Campaign’s Best Places to Work for three years in a row (2021, 2022 and 2023) and most excitingly,Media Week's Agency of the Year 2023!
Overview
What will you be doing?
The Constellation Client Operations Associate Director is a senior operational leadership role responsible for ensuring consistent, high‑quality delivery across the Samsung Constellation account.
Reporting into the Client Operations Director, this role acts as the operational backbone of the function, translating strategic direction into clear execution across people, process, governance, and cross‑discipline delivery. The Associate Director provides direct leadership to Client Operations Managers, owns operational standards and risk management, and serves as a senior escalation point for complex operational and financial issues.
This role is critical in enabling scale, stability, and performance across multiple markets, while allowing the Director to focus on strategic leadership, senior client relationships, and global alignment.
Responsibilities
People Leadership & Team Management
- Manage, mentor, and develop Client Operations Managers.
- Set clear expectations, priorities, and performance.
- Identify capability gaps, succession risks, and development opportunities.
Operational Governance & Compliance
- Implement and enforce operational standards, policies, and workflows.
- Ensure adherence to Samsung Master Service Agreement (MSA) requirements across markets.
- Oversee operational risk management and drive corrective actions.
- Ensure processes are documented, communicated, and embedded in BAU operations.
Delivery Oversight & Performance Management
- Provide oversight of end-to-end operational delivery (PO lifecycle, billing readiness, reporting, SLAs).
- Review operational and financial outputs to identify trends, risks, and gaps.
- Support Managers in resolving complex operational and financial escalations.
- Ensure consistent delivery across markets, client codes, and funding models.
Cross-Discipline & Stakeholder Leadership
- Partner with Finance, Billing, Activation, Planning, Investment, and Accounts Payable teams.
- Align deadlines, best practices, and delivery expectations across disciplines.
- Represent Client Operations in senior forums and cross-market initiatives.
- Act as an escalation point for issues beyond Manager level.
Process Improvement & Operational Excellence
- Identify inefficiencies and lead process improvements.
- Champion system optimisation, automation, and tool enhancements.
- Translate audit findings, issues, and escalations into sustainable improvements.
- Align global operational direction with local market execution.
Director Support & Strategic Enablement
- Provide insights and analysis to support strategic decisions.
- Support senior client conversations requiring operational expertise.
- Enable the Director to focus on growth, stakeholder relationships, and global alignment.
Qualifications
What are we looking for?
Skills & Experience
- Significant experience in Client Operations, media operations, or complex service delivery environments.
- Proven experience leading and developing managers.
- Strong understanding of financial operations, including PO lifecycle management, billing governance, and reporting.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multi‑market complexity and cross‑discipline delivery.
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and escalation handling skills.
- Strong working knowledge of operational systems and third‑party platforms (e.g. MediaOcean and related tools).
Additional information
Starcom has fantastic benefits on offer to all of our employees, full details of which are shared when you join. This includes the classics like Pension, Life Assurance, Private Medical, as well as Reflection Days, Shared Parental Leave, and spans other initiatives like:
📖 Please check out the Publicis Career Page which showcases our Inclusive Benefits and our EAG’s (Employee Action Groups).
At Starcom, we are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, disability, age, citizenship, relationship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic.
We are committed to providing a fair, accessible, and inclusive recruitment process. If you have any access needs - for example, related to disability, neurodivergence, or a health condition - please let us know. We’ll work with you to ensure the process works for you. Sharing this information will never impact your application.
Guided by our values, we listen with empathy, uplift each other, take responsibility, and embrace change - building a culture where everyone feels seen, respected, and genuinely included.
#LI-HM1
Operations Associate Director employer: Publicisgroupe
Publicis Media is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and collaborative work culture, where innovation and creativity thrive. Located in a vibrant city, we offer our employees comprehensive benefits, ample opportunities for professional growth, and a commitment to work-life balance, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the media industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Associate Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who work at Publicis Media. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info on the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding the transition management process inside out. Brush up on your knowledge of onboarding, financial setups, and media strategies to impress the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed teams and projects in the past. We want to see how you can assemble a core team and drive performance.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Publicis Media.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Associate Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Associate Director role. Highlight relevant experience in transition management and client onboarding, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the role. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed transitions or worked with cross-functional teams in the past.
Showcase Your Teamwork Skills:Since this role involves working closely with various teams, make sure to highlight your teamwork skills in your application. We want to see how you've collaborated with others to achieve common goals.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Publicisgroupe
✨Know the Transition Process Inside Out
Make sure you understand the end-to-end transition process thoroughly. Familiarise yourself with how to manage client onboarding, commercial agreements, and operational frameworks. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Team Management Skills
As an Operations Associate Director, you'll need to assemble and lead a core team. Be prepared to discuss your experience in team management and how you've successfully coordinated projects in the past. Use specific examples to illustrate your leadership style and how you motivate others.
✨Prepare for Cross-Department Collaboration
This role involves working closely with various departments like Legal, Finance, and HR. Brush up on how these teams operate and think about how you can facilitate collaboration. Highlight any previous experiences where you’ve worked across departments to achieve a common goal.
✨Demonstrate Your Strategic Thinking
You’ll be involved in media strategy and planning, so be ready to discuss your approach to strategic thinking. Think of examples where you’ve developed or contributed to a successful strategy. This will show that you can not only manage transitions but also contribute to the bigger picture.
