WPP PRODUCTION IS SEEKING A CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER 

What does a Chief Operating Officer (COO) do at WPP Production?

At WPP Production, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a pivotal executive leadership role responsible for driving the operational, administrative, and financial efficiency of the agency. The COO ensures seamless end-to-end process execution, optimal resource utilization, accurate financial alignment, and robust governance to enable sustainable business growth and informed decision-making.
This individual leads and manages core operational, traffic, and administrative initiatives in a highly matrixed, fast-paced environment. The COO acts as a strategic driver across cross-functional teams and establishes deep, trusted relationships with key client stakeholders—specifically within marketing and finance teams.
As a true operational authority, the COO models and instills a culture of control, rigor, continuous improvement, and excellence. This leader oversees the full lifecycle of projects workflows, invoicing governance and risk mitigation, ensuring top-tier service delivery that is on-time, within budget, and compliant with all internal and external standards.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Efficiency & Process Optimization
* Design & Streamline Workflows: Design, implement, and continuously optimize internal operational and administrative processes to drive maximum speed, efficiency, and error reduction across all media and production campaigns.
* End-to-End Governance: Partner closely with all the teams to ensure the entire  lifecycle  is executed seamlessly.
* Tools & Technology: Drive the adoption and integration of project management and operational tools to standardize ways of working.
* Standardized Systems: Implement standardized workflows and frameworks that scale efficiently while remaining flexible enough to adapt to client-specific demands.

Financial Management & Administrative Oversight
* Billing & Invoicing Governance: Oversee and track internal and client-facing processes
* Policy Compliance & Audits: Ensure 100% adherence to financial workflows, internal policies, corporate governance, and audit requirements.
* Traceability & Documentation: Manage and safeguard critical documentation to ensure full auditability and traceability of all investments, contracts, and operational processes.

Stakeholder Collaboration & Client Relations
* Client Relationship Building: Maintain close, collaborative, and trusted relationships with key client leads ensuring full alignment on processes, budgets, and operational decisions.
* Matrixed & Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborate effectively with internal disciplines, regional/global leaders, and third-party vendors to foster high-performing team dynamics (trust, communication, engagement, and productivity).
* Transparent Communication: Provide full visibility into investment status, budget consumption, and executions through clear and proactive reporting.

Team Leadership & Talent Development
* Lead Operations & Traffic Teams: Directly manage, mentor, and empower the operational, project management, and all the teams, cultivating a culture of accountability, precision, and high performance.
* Resource & Capacity Management: Oversee resource allocation, capacity planning, and staffing models to support rapid growth and shifting business demands.

Strategy & Risk Management
* Risk Identification & Intervention: Proactively detect and mitigate operational, administrative, and financial risks, directly intervening to execute recovery plans when necessary.
* KPI Tracking & Analytics: Produce, analyze, and report on key operational metrics and financial KPIs to executive leadership to guide strategic decision-making.

Requirements
* Language Proficiency: Advanced English (Fluent spoken and written command).
* Experience:
* 15+ years of total professional experience, with 5+ years in advertising, media, or production agencies in senior operational leadership roles.
* Proven track record leading operational, traffic, and project management teams in multi-account environments.
* Hands-on experience managing complex  processes  and agency administrative/billing cycles.
* Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Corporate Finance, Accounting, Industrial Engineering, Marketing, or a related field.
* Core Technical Knowledge:
* Advanced understanding of project management methodologies (Agile/Scrum is a major plus).
* In-depth knowledge of internal and client invoicing processes (POs, SOWs, reconciliations, financial flows).
* High proficiency in project management platforms 
* Advanced Excel skills for financial modeling, reporting, and data analysis.
* Collaborative Capabilities: Demonstrated success operating effectively within hybrid/virtual work models and matrixed corporate environments.

Desired Skills & Competencies
* Strategic & Operational Vision: Ability to connect high-level strategic objectives with granular day-to-day execution.
* Leadership & People Management: Inspiring leader capable of driving cultural change, mentoring teams, and resolving priority conflicts impartially.
* Commercial & Financial Acumen: Deep understanding of agency profitability, budget tracking, and financial governance.
* Analytical Thinking & Problem Solving: Exceptional judgment, sharp attention to detail, and a structured approach to troubleshooting complex operational challenges.
* Stakeholder Management: Outstanding verbal and written communication skills with proven ability to present comfortably to C-suite executives and clients.

Preferred Qualifications (Pluses)
* Experience working within global agency networks or complex matrixed organizations.
* Proven experience in process transformation, agency scaling, or change management initiatives.

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