POSITION SUMMARY: We are seeking a strategic and proactive Group Director, Client Operations for the prestigious Merck account. This pivotal role leads day-to-day operations and drives operational excellence across this critical pharmaceutical business. As a key business partner to the account lead, you will take initiative to ensure robust infrastructure across End-to-End Budget Operations, Process Harmonization, and Business Operations.

Your leadership will guarantee unparalleled efficiency, effectiveness, and excellence in operational deliverables, directly contributing to Merck's strategic growth.

REQUIREMENTS

Visionary Proactive Leader: A seasoned leader who takes initiative, simplifies complexity, and drives best-in-class delivery across diverse teams and with clients. Strategic Business Partner: Proven ability to advise business leads, translating operational insights into strategies that optimize efficiency and contribute to Merck's objectives. Healthcare Industry Acumen (Highly Preferred): Significant experience navigating the unique operational, regulatory, and compliance demands of the healthcare/pharmaceutical sector.

Operational Innovator: Expertise in designing, implementing, and optimizing media infrastructure, including Budget Financial Operations, Data Management, and End-to-End Media Process Workflow. Team Talent Builder: Skilled in assembling, managing, and activating high-performing, cross-craft Agency Operations teams. , MediaTools, Asana) and automation to enhance efficiency and accuracy.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

End-to-End Budget Operations Build and optimize workflows for accurate planning investment data for Merck, ensuring compliance. Oversee the full budget lifecycle (management, QA, invoicing, reporting), ensuring financial stewardship. , MediaTools, Mediaocean).

Champion automation to enhance accuracy and reduce manual effort. Lead creation of non-campaign Merck client reports (flowcharts, forecasts, budget summaries, LDA). Evaluate, implement, and customize operational tools (Mediatools, Mediaocean/Prisma, Asana, Taxonomy) for Merck, driving efficiency and data hygiene.

Develop strong relationships with key Merck stakeholders (Finance, Procurement, Media, Digital Marketing). Process Harmonization Strategic Process Design Optimization: Lead the strategic design, implementation, and continuous optimization of highly effective, scalable cross-functional processes, including bespoke Merck-specific Media Planning Playbooks and tool-supported workflows. E2E Process Governance Rollout: Drive the establishment and rollout of new end-to-end processes, providing high-level stewardship for seamless implementation, robust governance, and widespread adoption across all stakeholders.

Operational Orchestration Cross-Functional Alignment: Oversee strategic coordination of daily process operations, ensuring consistent workflow adherence and timely execution. Orchestrate clear communication and seamless collaboration across media, creative, account, and Merck client stakeholders. Performance Optimization Continuous Improvement: Strategically manage and optimize campaign and operational workflows (calendars, timelines).

Direct training strategies, oversee adoption, and establish frameworks for tracking effectiveness, gathering feedback, and driving data-informed improvements. Leadership Best Practice Advocacy: Provide senior leadership and mentorship, proactively removing systemic roadblocks, fostering a culture of excellence, and championing best practices and knowledge sharing within the Merck account. Strategic Project Management: Provide senior oversight and direction for ad hoc project execution, ensuring strategic alignment and efficient delivery.

General Business Operations Lead execution of best practices and operational deliverables for the Merck account.