Associate Director, Data Operations

OMD; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Omnicom in Chicago is seeking an Associate Director, Data Operations to lead data governance, business intelligence strategy, and operational excellence across media channels. You will collaborate with Strategy, Digital Investment, Planning, Analytics, and offshore teams to ensure data quality and scalable automation.

The ideal candidate has 5–7 years in Data Ops or BI, deep experience with digital media data, agile environments, and strong leadership and communication skills.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years in Data Operations and/or BI.
• 3–5 years in digital media data.
• 3–5 years in agile development environments.
• 3–5 years in client-facing work and managing offshore or cross-functional teams.
• 4+ years in data governance and quality processes within data warehousing, ETL, and BI environments.
• 5+ years in business analysis or related disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Direct data strategy, governance, and analytics delivery across multiple client accounts.
• Oversee project plans, timelines, and cross-functional coordination with Strategy, Digital Investment, Planning, Analytics, and offshore resources.
• Lead data quality assurance, business rules, and data cleansing initiatives.
• Advise on and drive deployment of BI tools, ETL, and automation projects, promoting data-centric decision making.
• Mentor Managers, Senior Analysts, and Analysts; foster growth and accountability.
• Ensure efficient data operations and client management across campaigns.

Skills

Data Operations

Business Intelligence

Digital media data

Agile development

Client-facing

Offshore teams

Data governance

Data analysis

Budget management

Tools

Tableau

PowerBI

Datorama

Looker Studio

Domo

SQL

Python

AWS

Job description

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, DATA OPERATIONS

We pride ourselves on being a people-obsessed, outcomes-focused business that applies evidence and data-based solutions, married with the practice of empathy, to drive performance and growth. When working with our clients, we put ourselves in the shoes of the consumer to see the world through their eyes. We focus on finding greater empathy with the consumer to uncover insights and opportunities that deliver more valued and valuable connections.

Agency

Omd

Job Function

Data and Analytics

Job Subfunction

Data Science and Analytics

Job Description

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, DATA OPERATIONS

We pride ourselves on being a people-obsessed, outcomes-focused business that applies evidence and data-based solutions, married with the practice of empathy, to drive performance and growth. When working with our clients, we put ourselves in the shoes of the consumer to see the world through their eyes. We focus on finding greater empathy with the consumer to uncover insights and opportunities that deliver more valued and valuable connections.

Our Success Is Underwritten By Our Core Principles

• Dynamic diversity. Bringing diversity of perspective, skillset, and background, as well as the mix of ages, genders, ethnicities, skillsets & backgrounds.
• Radical collaboration. Connecting a diverse group of people through instinctive structures, skills and mindsets.
• Rapid prototyping. Fostering a mindset of curiosity in which our people are always building, testing, evolving and retesting hypotheses.

All of which is underpinned by a commitment to total transparency.

Team Description

The Data Operations team provides oversight of the data generated throughout the campaign delivery and performance optimization throughout its lifecycle. They will also work with other internal practice teams of Digital Analytics, Planning, and Digital Investment. You will provide oversight of all digital media buys to ensure that they are following process, purchased, and inputted according to organizational standards. This role requires a strong familiarity with all available analytics and technology tools, both syndicated and proprietary. Candidate must have a mindset towards fostering processes through automation.

Role Summary

The Associate Director, Data Operations is accountable for the orchestration and flawless execution of business intelligence, data governance, and operational excellence across all media channels. Serving as both a leader and subject matter expert, this role bridges Digital Media, Marketing Science, and Offshore Data Operations teams, providing technical oversight and ensuring high-quality standards in data management, process automation, and analytics. The ideal candidate proactively advances data strategy and fosters collaboration with internal teams, clients, and external vendors, with an unwavering focus on continuous improvement in data quality and efficiency.

Job Description

• Data Strategy & Governance: Direct the development, implementation, and maintenance of data strategies, quality standards, business rules, and governance processes for diverse client accounts and media channels.
• Project & Process Leadership: Oversee the creation and management of project plans, assign and prioritize tasks, and ensure standardized processes. Facilitate regular status meetings, proactively resolve roadblocks, and drive initiative progression in a fast-paced, agile environment.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as liaison among internal teams (Strategy, Digital Investment, Planning, Analytics, Finance), offshore resources, external vendors, and clients. Foster positive working relationships and effectively communicate roles, responsibilities, and expectations.
• Data Quality & Problem Solving: Supervise investigation and resolution of data integrity issues, define/implement business rules for data cleansing and QA, and ensure best practices in all data and technology projects.
• Technical Solution Oversight: Advise on or lead the deployment of business intelligence tools, data warehousing, ETL processes, and automation initiatives. Champion adoption of new technology and process solutions, ensuring data is the backbone for all media and analytics disciplines.
• Team Leadership: Supervise and mentor Managers, Senior Analysts, and Analysts; cultivate a supportive, growth-oriented environment. Guide teams in Data Operations, quality assurance, and client management tasks.

Skills & Experience

• 5–7 years’ experience in Data Operations and/or Business Intelligence
• 3–5 years’ experience in digital media data (ad server, digital, search, social, video, offline, etc.)
• 3–5 years’ experience in agile development environments
• 3–5 years’ experience in client-facing work and managing offshore or cross-functional teams
• 4+ years’ experience in data governance and quality processes within data warehousing, ETL, and BI environments
• 5+ years’ experience in business analysis or related disciplines
• In-depth expertise across digital and traditional media channels and handling diverse datasets (paid, owned, etc.)
• Demonstrated ability to diagnose, elevate, and solve complex data quality and operational issues
• Outstanding organizational and project management skills
• Comfortable multitasking and adapting to fast-evolving needs
• Superior attention to detail, with excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proven ability to build relationships across internal teams, vendors, and clients
• Comfort and accuracy working with budgets and large sets of numerical data
• Media industry experience highly preferred

TOOLS

• Business Intelligence: Advanced Excel (required), Tableau, PowerBI, Datorama, Looker/Looker Studio, Domo, PowerPoint
• Data Management & Transformation: ETL Tools (Adverity, Datorama), Alteryx, SQL (preferred), Python (nice to have)
• Data Storage/Cloud: AWS (Redshift, S3), Starburst.io, Datorama, Snowflake, Domo
• Media Platforms: DCM, DV360, Google Ads, DoubleVerify, IAS, TradeDesk, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, TikTok, Prisma
• Project Management: HIVE, Asana, Smartsheet, Microsoft Teams
• Media Planning: MediaTools, Lumina, Hudson (bonus)
• Other: Experience with writing business and technical requirements documents; comfort with business rules design and BI tool administration

$70,000 - $130,000

Omnicom’s policy requires employees to work in the office for a minimum of three days a week, unless additional in-office days are directed by their agency or manager. Our objective is to increase this requirement over time, and many of our agencies as well as Omnicom’s corporate group already require five days of in-office attendance.

Omnicom is committed to hiring and developing exceptional talent. We agree that talent is uniquely distributed, and we’re focused on developing inclusive teams that can bring the best solutions to everything we do. We strongly believe that celebrating what makes us different makes us better together. Join us—we look forward to getting to know you. We will process your personal data in accordance with our Recruitment Privacy Notice.

Link to Recruitment Privacy Notice: https://www.omc.com/privacy-notice

For US Job Seekers

It is the policy of Omnicom and any of its affiliates to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, ethnic origin, gender, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law. EOE/AA/M/D/V/F.

$70,000 - $130,000