At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations for a major account, ensuring smooth delivery and coordination across teams.
- Company: Join VCCP, a global challenger network known for creativity and collaboration.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience in a dynamic environment with opportunities for growth.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of inclusion and thrive in a fast-paced, creative atmosphere.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting growth phase and make a real impact on high-profile projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in operations or programme management, with strong client-facing skills.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
VCCP is the global challenger network for challenger brands. With more than 1,500 people across 13 offices in North America, EMEA and APAC, we challenge convention to deliver value for the world’s most ambitious organisations. We believe transformation happens when everything works together. That’s why we bring specialists from every discipline into one fully integrated network.
Today, our clients include some of the world’s most recognisable and progressive brands, such as Virgin Media O2, Barclays, Cadbury, Compare the Market, Domino’s, White Claw, easyJet, Primark and Co-op. VCCP has topped the AAR’s annual new business ranking in 13 of the last 14 years and holds multiple Agency of the Year titles.
VCCP is in an exciting moment of growth and has increasingly been winning accounts with large and more complex footprints. These accounts come with a wider array of challenges to overcome, so we are looking for an Operations Director to work on one of these pieces of business, to help establish and guide how it then operates and grows.
Our ambition is to build a borderless, world-class global operations team to develop the best-run global accounts in the agency world, allowing us to take on the big networks. We need a senior, hands-on Operations Director to embed within one of our key accounts for the next three months, supporting operations across a complex web of workstreams.
This is a director level role designed to act as an operational counterpart to the other leads on the account, working particularly closely with client partner/business director. The Operations Director will have three primary responsibilities:
- Programme Management: Proactively manages the programme with Client Lead and IPD and ensures all global account leads can make informed decisions quickly, thanks to immediate, accurate access to the account programme, the financials and the work in progress.
- Delivery: Working with the client partners, responsible for enabling efficient delivery on this account.
- Own the Ways of Working: Define and own the internal and client-facing ways of working on this account in line with VCCP best-practice.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Work closely with internal producers to keep interdependent projects on track and flag risks early.
- Own the internal operating rhythm across the various Sage workstreams.
- Be client-facing: lead regular stand-ups and follow-up comms so clients have clarity on deadlines and what's required of them.
- Bring order and pace to a fast-moving, multi-stream account.
- Set up operational processes, systems, tools, and ways of working in line with a global VCCP standard.
- Develop plans to increase performance/margin for accounts and the agency.
- Constantly thinking, innovating and pioneering new ways of working that will deliver increased efficiency and effectiveness, not just in financials but also in the work itself.
- Works with the Client Lead to ensure accounts are profitable and well-recovered financially.
- Have a multiplier effect for the efficiency of the business.
- Define, own and ensure that the weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual cadence for the account is followed.
Role Specific Skills Required:
- Senior level, but genuinely hands-on, not just oversight.
- Strong at managing complexity and interdependency across teams.
- Confident, credible client-facing presence. Gravitas delivered with charm.
- Comfortable holding both internal teams and clients to deadlines.
- Strong experience in an operations or programme management role, ideally in an agency environment.
About You:
- A passion for all things creative and advertising.
- Resilience to keep going in a fast-paced environment.
- Thrive on working in a high energy and fast-paced environment, where no two days are the same.
- Be proactive with a can-do attitude - be eager to get your sleeves rolled up and learn.
- Strive for excellence - be proud of your work and have meticulous attention to detail.
- Friendly and approachable.
- Build rapport and able to quickly establish excellent working relationships.
- Live and breathe the agency’s values.
VCCP is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or ethnicity. If you require any adjustments during the application or interview process, please let us know via joinus@vccp.com.
As part of our onboarding process, you will be required to complete a Criminal Records Declaration regarding any unspent convictions.
Operations Director - 3 month FTC in London employer: VCCP Group
VCCP is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and collaborative work culture, where creativity and strategic thinking are at the forefront. With a commitment to employee growth and development, team members are encouraged to challenge themselves and each other, ensuring a dynamic environment that nurtures talent. Located in a thriving hub for advertising, VCCP offers unique opportunities to work with some of the world's most ambitious brands, making it a rewarding place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director - 3 month FTC in London
✨Tap into Consulting Networks
Get active in local management consulting networks and organisations. Attend meetups, workshops, or webinars specific to consulting where you can connect with professionals who may know of temporary roles opening up at places like VCCP Group. Don’t underestimate word-of-mouth – it’s massive in our field!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Real-Time
As a temporary hire, you need to demonstrate your value quickly. Consider creating a mini-case study or analysis relevant to the industry and share it on platforms like LinkedIn or even during networking events. This can be an impressive way to showcase your analytical skills and problem-solving prowess – just what consulting firms are looking for!
✨Check for Temporary Roles on Niche Job Boards
Look for temporary roles on specialised job boards for consulting gigs rather than just generic platforms. Websites like Consultancy.uk or even the Careers pages of major firms could have short-term projects or roles that are perfect for you to jump in at VCCP Group.
✨Leverage University and Alumni Resources
If you’re fresh out of uni or connected with a local institution, take advantage of their career services and alumni networks. Many universities have exclusive connections to consulting firms seeking temporary help. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other aspiring consultants who might share leads about opportunities at VCCP Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director - 3 month FTC in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In management consulting, employers love to see your problem-solving abilities right from the get-go. Be sure to highlight any relevant analytical projects you've worked on, particularly those that show how you tackled complex problems. If you’ve done any case studies or analysis during your studies, throw those in your CV!
Tailor Your Experience for the Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should reflect your adaptability and relevant experience quite clearly. Focus on showcasing experiences that demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running, like previous projects, internships, or freelance gigs in consulting or project management.
Craft a Targeted Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to sparkle! Use it to explain why you're interested in this temporary role at VCCP Group and how your skills suit the specific project needs. Remember to mention how you can provide immediate value based on your past experiences.
Include Certifications or Relevant Training:If you've got any certifications like PMP, Six Sigma, or even coursework that’s super relevant, make sure to list those in your application. Management consulting can be competitive, and these extra qualifications can help you stand out in the recruitment process.
How to prepare for a job interview at VCCP Group
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In management consulting, case study interviews are a big deal. Expect to tackle real-world business problems on the spot. We should practise structuring our thoughts, developing hypotheses, and presenting our solutions clearly, as this is what firms like VCCP Group will want to see.
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
You’ll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and logical reasoning. Brush up on frameworks like SWOT or Porter's Five Forces, as these can come in handy. Think of instances from your experience where you tackled a complex issue—this could set you apart when speaking to VCCP Group.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, it's crucial we showcase our ability to hit the ground running. Have examples ready that illustrate how we've adapted quickly in past positions or projects. This shows that we can contribute effectively from day one at VCCP Group.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Cultural Fit
Temporary roles often come with a focus on team dynamics. Prepare to discuss how we align with the values and culture at VCCP Group. We want to highlight our teamwork experiences and how we can mesh with their consulting teams, making it clear that we're not just looking to fill a spot but to add value.