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Consulting Senior Manager
VML
Chicago, IL, United States
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At VML, it’s not just the job you want — it’s who you are that matters. We’re looking for visionaries. Planners. Dreamers. Because VML is a place that’s all about putting everything you are into everything you do. And we believe in the thought that if it doesn’t exist, it can be created. We’re a full-service global advertising agency that thrives where the blue sky of possibilities intersects with grounded solutions.
Yes, technically we’re located in Kansas City. And New York. And Chicago. And Seattle. But if you need to find us, we suggest visiting somewhere that can’t exactly be pinpointed on a map. Look for us where dreamers thrive. And ideas, too. In a place where limits are pushed and pulled and stretched. Because VML is a full-service digital advertising agency that thrives where the blue sky of possibilities intersects with grounded solutions. We know this is a great place, and others know it too. In fact, we’ve been voted as one of the 25 best places to work in America three times and have partnered with brands around the world. And with two decades under our belt, you’d be correct to guess our trophy case is pretty full as well.
As part of the WPP Group, VML offers one of the best overall compensation packages in the business. VML is headquartered in Kansas City.
The senior manager, consulting, is responsible for the successful delivery of VML services across one or more of VML’s client-partner relationships. The senior manager is the client’s most trust advisor on one or more projects and is the client’s “go-to” team member regarding any aspect of the service journey. The senior manager has deep understanding of the client business model, ability to refine and articulate project objectives to team members, and is responsible for flawless ground-level project execution.
The senior manager utilizes his or her leadership and project delivery skill set to maximize ongoing performance of a cross-functional team. The senior manager works with the team to execute rapid development of digital products of high business and/or customer value. Senior managers are active learners who keep abreast of emerging trends, tools and practices to aid clients in forecasting areas of digital opportunity, and internal teams in deepening skills.
The senior manager is keenly aware and proactive in ensuring positive financial outcomes across platform and experience engagements. Senior managers are proven business owners who partner with senior members of the VML organization to identify and secure additional business opportunities. Senior managers embrace professional development and set the example for consultant managers, playing a key role in their progression as consulting professionals.
Required Skills:
• Promotes and drives the team, constantly aiming to adhere to VML delivery and execution principles
• Works with the consulting director, client engagement, UX and creative, and technology group to ensure the team construct is as desired
• Participates in midyear and annual review process by preparing and discussing team member appraisals as relevant with the consulting director
• Manages sprint planning, sprint reviews and sprint retrospectives for one or more teams
• Leads teams through creative and development sprints
• Deflects team distractions and removes impediments
• Works with clients to define KPIs and meaningful metrics to report project health (e.g., burn down, velocity, broken build and quality index)
• Holds retrospectives, compiles and communicates key milestones, and processes “lessons learned”
• Provides status communications to program and business teams; provides release reports
• Creates, maintains and conducts training/coaching as required (particularly for new employees)
• Ensures discipline leads are engaged on projects and they are supported to act in leadership and consulting roles on engagements ensuring best practices and procedures are followed
• Schedules and runs meetings with internal and external constituents; hosts project training as needed for onboarding or client needs
• Manages team relationship in coordination with client engagement lead
• Maintains project momentum and keeps the project and team on track
• Facilitates project team communications and workflows
• Partners with the team to deliver amazing work during the engagement while balancing overall project health
• Manages team relationship
• Accountable for quality execution of consulting analyst and manager team member tasks
• Creates, maintains and conducts training/coaching as required (particularly for new employees)
• Supports VML new business development efforts as needed
• Writes, reviews and approves statements of work (within standard approval guidelines)
Required Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree with five to seven years’ agency and/or client-side experience in managing large-scale marketing projects or consulting services; graduate degree is a plus
• Experience with digital marketing and/or managing the design and development of websites; traditional marketing experience is a plus
• Proven experience leading software development and delivering new product to market
• Ability to craft clear, persuasive briefings to cross-disciplinary teams and remain an active contributor through all phases of the service delivery life cycle
• Demonstrated analytical techniques and ability to make recommendations to technical and program leadership to improve the product, process or technology
• Demonstrated ability to present ideas clearly and concisely; ability to prepare presentations for senior-level client stakeholders
• Experience leading in an agile environment required
• Excellent analytical and communication skills with the ability to communicate complex issues in an easy-to-understand manner; creates clarity where there is ambiguity/confusion
• Creative problem-solver when presented with conflicting requirements, business demands and technical risks/issues
• Exhibits strong organization skills, capacity to embraces change, passion for learning, and ability to take and implement direction from consulting director
• Attention to detail, willingness to ask questions and ability to follow up
VML is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.