Production Lead

Reports to: Associate Production Director, Production Director, or Group Director

Department: Account Services

Classification: Exempt

The Job

You are a skilled production expert with a proven track record of strong client partnerships, growing profit while leading cross-functional teams. Our Production Leads wield an intimate understanding of the data, and are confident leaders in negotiation, business development, project coordination and operational improvements. You know how to read a room and build meaningful relationships with clients as well as how to run projects to a tee. 

Through leading and/or managing the collective efforts of the production team, and having a constant pulse on account health and incoming projects, this role provides critical insight into the business’s project capacity, financial health, and account health. You’re accountable for the success of our working relationships and the insights into that success. From negotiation, to financial impact and business planning, you have a keen eye on work volume, administrative detail and partnership health to ensure our financial success. You’ll ensure that specific stakeholder goals are met with business solutions that support the health of the business relationship and drive agency success. You’re a thought and execution partner supporting necessary operational shifts that will elevate the quality and financial success of the work.

As a person, you are:

• A big-picture thinker with a pulse on the gritty details. You are ever-aware and planning for the collective business goal, quick on your feet to pivot and implement change when needed. 

• Tactful. You are skilled in building healthy relationships with clients whom you don’t interact with on a day to day basis. You are confident in your ability to navigate hard conversations and guide our stakeholders to mutually beneficial decisions with the health of our business guiding your decision making.

• Skilled leader and collaborator. You employ your past experience to effectively guide and inspire your team while being receptive to change, adapting and progressing your approach to reflect to ensure ongoing success.

• A skilled negotiator. You are adept at anticipating and proactively solving challenges through data-informed action and remain composed, assured, and effective under pressure. 

• A seasoned Project Manager/Producer. You understand the challenges of large-scale, fast-paced, and ever-changing creative projects.

• Steady. You manage and resolve conflicts and challenges through proactive feedback, kind conversation, and problem solving. You navigate and balance the needs of the business, and the needs of your stakeholders.

• Perceptive. You can read a room and stay one step ahead of potential risks and opportunities — all whilst cultivating and upholding critical client relationships. 

In this role, you will:

• Plan, coordinate, and track budgets of $1M - $3M . You will leverage your production and industry expertise to develop and approve large-scale proposals and scopes of work, and ensure that the project finances are accurately tracked in partnership with your production team. 

• Present accurate and consistent insights on account health and new business opportunities to Group Director and Creative Director, noting utilization risks and opportunities. 

• Properly plan and manage the transition of awarded projects, ensuing a strong kickoff that will lead to successful and timely project completion. Empower the team to ensure that client needs are met and that scopes remain on track and within budget.

• Conscientiously manage Producers, encouraging career growth based on key performance indicators established in partnership with Account and Agency leadership.

• Translate strategic priorities and business opportunities into internal actions to improve our business. Identify, evaluate, and address continuous workflow improvement opportunities in partnership with the Creative Operations Lead. 

• Drive organic growth through recognizing and seizing opportunities for expanded service offerings. Employ an intimate understanding of industry trends and look to inform and adjust our business model accordingly.

• Monitor the health of project teams, proactively flagging, implementing measures, or taking action to adjust in response to any issues for optimal morale, in partnership with your Group Director. Inform team hiring needs through utilization, capacity, and profit analysis.

As for experience, you need:

• Minimum 6 years experience in digital design or marketing in an agency large/enterprise corporate setting as a producer, account manager, or project manager with advanced experience in account planning and estimation.

• Minimum 4 years experience leading and managing teams with honed insight into effective resourcing and professional development practices.

• Accomplished business driver with a strong record of client engagement, retention, and growth. 

• Extensive experience in digital marketing with an acute understanding of digital deliverables, marketing channels, and stakeholders benefit from growing their digital presence. You remain current on best practices within applicable platforms to inform process improvements. 

• Proven track record of leading by example and coaching others with positive, constructive feedback. You respectfully interact with all levels of leadership and contributors, understanding and valuing cultural differences. 

• Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Airtable or similar experience required. Understanding of creative platforms and tools such as Adobe CC or Figma is a plus.

• Outstanding prioritization skills with the ability to work on a variety of projects across multiple clients within various constraints.

• Bachelor's degree preferred, ideally in Advertising/Marketing, Communications, Design or a related field. Additional 2 years experience in lieu of a degree.

Department Org 

• Reporting: This role reports to Associate Production Director, Production Director, or Group Director.

• Coaching: This role provides coaching to Producers of all levels.

• Leadership: This role provides tangible and tactical leadership to Producers.

• Collaboration: This role collaborates with all departments. 

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The following capabilities are required to perform this position's essential functions. Reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue burden on the agency are available to address the following requirements.

• Using standard office equipment, computers, and related technology.

• Performing certain activities in an environmentally controlled office setting, such as extended periods of sitting, keyboarding, and manipulating a computer mouse.

• Bending, reaching, lifting, pushing and pulling up to 25 pounds.

• Travel is anticipated for this role.

• Working remotely with occasional in-office presence, dependent on your role requirements.