0425 - 204TRU | SVP, Operations at Creative Ad Agency

Job Title: SVP, Operations at Creative Ad Agency

Overview

The SVP of Operations will be a key strategic and operational leader, responsible for translating visionary ideas into executable plans and scalable systems. As the agency enters a phase of rapid growth and reinvention, this role will lead cross-functional transformation and partner closely with the executive team to guide the agency into its next chapter of scale, excellence, and industry disruption.

This is a unique opportunity for a dynamic, collaborative leader who thrives in founder-led, fast-paced creative environments—and who has the experience and drive to both tame chaos and architect what comes next.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Translate the founders’ vision into operational plans, priorities, and systems that enable growth, excellence, and innovation.

• Identify and pursue opportunities to enhance performance operationally, creatively, and financially.

• Lead transformation initiatives and drive cross-functional alignment to support strategic goals.

• Act as a critical thought partner and counterbalance to big-picture ideation—helping to ground decisions in data, capacity, and feasibility.

2. Direct Oversight

• Oversee Operations and Project Management Office (PMO); depending on experience, may also lead Finance, HR, IT, and Legal functions.

• Manage the Project Management team, instilling high standards, operational rigor, and accountability.

• Guide senior leaders across HR and Finance to build a high-performing, integrated operational leadership team.

• Lead pricing and staffing strategy for both new business and current clients.

• Supervise and evolve internal processes related to legal, business affairs, and technology infrastructure.

3. Agency Leadership & Growth

• Collaborate with founders and executive leadership to develop and implement strategic plans for agency growth and transformation.

• Partner with the Managing Director to ensure operational excellence drives client satisfaction and long-term relationships.

• Collaborate with creative leadership (CCO, ECD) to enhance creative quality through better staffing models and delivery processes.

• Co-own P&L planning and strategic financial decisions with the CEO and finance leadership.

• Track and improve core KPIs including margin, billability, and delivery efficiency.

• Build and staff teams to service large-scale AOR (Agency of Record) accounts.

• Foster a culture of operational excellence grounded in positivity, collaboration, and a belief in possibility.

• Cultivate strong relationships with the parent company and sister agencies, ensuring alignment and collaboration.

Qualifications

• 20+ years of experience in marketing agencies, ideally within creative and/or social agencies.

• Proven success in senior leadership roles (SVP, EVP, or COO), especially within high-growth agencies (50–200 employees).

• Deep experience in founder-led environments, with a strong understanding of their dynamics and opportunities.

• Expert in project management, resource and staff planning, and pricing strategies.

• Proficient in financial planning, P&L ownership, and operational KPI management.

• Knowledge of legal and compliance issues related to agency operations.

• Exceptional communicator, team builder, and strategic thinker.

• Optimistic, nurturing, decisive, and collaborative leader who inspires trust and high performance.