Director - Data Operations and Business Intelligence

About Initiative  

Initiative celebrates diversity in an inclusive environment where all of our 6,000+ strong talent across 90+ markets feel seen, heard, and valued. Our vision is to create not only a better media company, but also a better media industry, and maybe even a better world.   

We believe in the power of media to reshape our industry and orchestrate a brand’s entire consumer experience, by balancing both what unites people and what makes them different. When brands unite people in culture, they build Fame, and when brands connect individuals to their unique journeys, they build customer Flow. Media responsibility is at the forefront of everything we do, whether it’s creating media plans that reflect the diversity of our communities, promote brand safety, and foster sustainability.    

Our agency celebrates diversity in an inclusive environment where all of our 6,000+ strong talent across 90+ markets feel seen, heard, and valued. Our vision is to create not only a better media company, but also a better media industry, and maybe even a better world.   

We make a promise to our people that we double down on seeing, celebrating & elevating all the things that make you, uniquely you. And just as we do for our brands and clients, we connect our people to the journeys that matter in building a meaningful career.   

There are four I’s in Initiative, and these represent our core values and behaviors.   

➢ INDIVID[YOU]ALITY – you bring your genuine and unique self to and into the work, every day.   

➢ INSTINCT – you’re tuned in and armed with intelligence; you have a bias for action – shit happens when you’re around.   

➢ IMAGINATION – your ability to imagine and bring to life the ideas, solutions, and the future of Initiative, makes us THE create media agency in the world.   

➢ IMPACT! – you care deeply about the impact you have on our clients, their customers, our community, the media landscape and our world at large.  

About the CIA Team  

The Cultural Insight and Analytics (CIA) team in our Global London hub is a group of 30+ specialists covering multiple areas of expertise: Consumer Insights (Research), Audience & Data strategy, Business Intelligence & Data Governance, Advanced Analytics and Client Consulting. Through a range of paid-for-projects and FTE on accounts, the team supports the UK agency as well as the EMEA hub that is based in London. Client Consulting is responsible for curating the skills in the CIA teams to provide advice and solutions to clients’ business, marketing and advertising challenges.  

ROLE OVERVIEW  

The Data Operations and BI Director will be responsible for the technical delivery of projects across key clients in the CIA hub, related to IBM. 

This is a client-facing, technical role requiring hands-on experience of media data and infrastructure, with the expertise to understand client requirements, identify and design appropriate solutions and ensure successful delivery (with the support of the CIA lead).   

The role will support IBM in ensuring accurate data, reporting and governance solutions are in place with a high degree of accuracy, as well as supporting other CIA crafts with analysis and data outputs. 

An independent worker, this person will also enjoy collaborating with team members from the EMEA CIA hub, as well as with colleagues from other markets and other IPG agency partners.   

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Be the key point of contact for clients on data and BI projects and work with them to understand their data needs and create robust solutions to address them. 

• Communicate with stakeholders and clients to understand analytics requirements 

• Challenge existing ways of working 

• Design and define new solution requirements 

• Drive efficiencies in how analytics services are delivered, through standardization and automation 

• Support client-side solutions, ensuring accurate flow of data from source to output. 

• Data analysis and insights generation 

• Ensure the ongoing success of projects through design and implementation of appropriate QA processes 

• Continually review and refine agency data processes across the client account to improve efficiency while delivering accurate data outcomes. 

• Maintain and update data process documentation and conduct training for all teams involved in data processes (across both Data specialists and Media Specialist teams). 

• Implement process governance and project management to ensure that all teams follow best practices to ensure quality and accuracy of data. 

• Create protocols to continually review and update data taxonomies across the account. 

• Work with media specialists, media operations and Ad operations teams to ensure governance and compliance with agreed taxonomies. 

• Ensure that agreed taxonomies are integrated into all media planning, activation and reporting tools and systems. 
• Be a point of escalation (internal and client-facing) for any data issues that may arise on the account. 

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE 

Experience and Expertise 

• Proficiency in stakeholder management across external (client) and internal (agency) stakeholders 

• Ability to bridge the gap between non-technical stakeholders and data-specialists. 

• Expert level understanding of media data and typical media data systems. 

• Experience of leading end to end reporting and BI solution builds. 

• Have a high level of awareness of industry tools and systems used to organize and manage taxonomies, media data etc. 

• Significant experience in data governance and data management on large-scale, complex businesses. 

• Proficient in project management of data specialist teams and processes. 

• Experience in team management & staff development. 

Skills 

• Expertise in using work management tools like Asana, Smartsheet (or other similar systems) 

• Expertise in using taxonomy management tools like Claravine (or other similar systems) 

• Experience with SQL and/or Python. Strong Excel skills 

• Experience with APIs 

• Experience in data analysis and generating insights 

• Experience of using data visualization systems like Tableau, Power BI etc. 

• Excellent written, verbal and presentation-based communication skills. 

Employee Transparency 

At IPG Mediabrands, we celebrate differences and believe this makes us stronger. IPG Mediabrands are equal-opportunity employers committed to championing an inclusive culture that provides a sense of belonging for all our employees. We do not discriminate against any applicant based on age, disability, race, colour, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, belief, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Please reach out to our Talent Inclusion Specialist Jess at Jess.Richardson@mbww.com if you would like to have a confidential conversation regarding any adjustments that would ensure our recruitment process is accessible for you. Please note requesting a reasonable adjustment will not affect your application. 

The Perks 

We aim to provide all our people with a supportive and fun work environment where you can develop your full potential and benefit from the broad range of opportunities within the agency. When you join us, we want to make sure you feel valued – and that you are rewarded for your fantastic work. So, we also offer a range of benefits:

• Flexi–leave, with 25 days annual leave to be taken as minimum. In addition to your holiday entitlement, the office usually closes between Christmas & New Year 
• Free breakfast and free lunch
• Early finish Fridays
• Core Hours (Mon-Thurs, flexible start/finish times)
• Retail discounts
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice car scheme 
• Wellbeing programme, including Headspace & flu jabs 
• Interest free season ticket loan
• Paid time off for Volunteering
• Group Income Protection
• Life Assurance
• Private Medical Insurance or Health Cash Plan (dependent on level)
• Group Personal Pension Plan with matched contributions from 3-6%
• Generous Parental Leave & Pay
• Independent mortgage advice
• Financial education
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free eye tests
• Flexible benefits including Dental, Travel insurance, Cycle to Work, Gym Discounts and many more!