Associate Director, Media Operations & Transformation

Hearts & Science; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Hearts & Science in New York seeks an Associate Director, Media Operations to lead the design and adoption of operating-model improvements across a major business area. You will bridge Media, Data Operations, and AI Automation with a focus on scalable processes and measurable impact.

You will drive cross-functional initiatives, standardize workflows, and lead change management to ensure adoption and sustained efficiency gains across Media teams.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading operational transformation, process improvement, or organizational change initiatives.
• Strong understanding of media agency workflows, operating models, and delivery processes.
• Experience managing complex cross-functional programs and stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication, facilitation, and change leadership skills.
• Experience working alongside technology, data, automation, or AI-focused teams.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the Media Transformation roadmap in support of business priorities.
• Partner with AI Automation & Architecture team to identify automation opportunities.
• Evaluate operating models and recommend improvements for speed, efficiency, quality, and scalability.
• Identify cross-functional opportunities to optimize workflows and reduce manual effort.
• Assess and redesign workflows across planning, activation, reporting, and governance.
• Establish standardized processes, documentation, and best practices across teams.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to boost efficiency and productivity.
• Implement operational frameworks that support growth and scale.
• Lead implementation of new processes, tools, and ways of working across Media.
• Develop change management strategies to drive engagement and adoption.
• Create communication, training, and enablement plans for transformation.
• Monitor adoption and identify opportunities to improve utilization and effectiveness.
• Act as strategic advisor to Media leadership on transformation opportunities.
• Facilitate alignment across Media, Operations, Data, Analytics, Technology, and Client teams.
• Translate business needs into actionable requirements for AI and automation initiatives.
• Influence stakeholders across multiple teams without direct authority.

Skills

Operational transformation

Process improvement

Stakeholder management

Change leadership

Communication

Collaboration with AI/Automation teams

Job description

Hearts & Science in New York seeks an Associate Director, Media Operations to lead the design and adoption of operating-model improvements across a major business area. You will bridge Media, Data Operations, and AI Automation with a focus on scalable processes and measurable impact.

You will drive cross-functional initiatives, standardize workflows, and lead change management to ensure adoption and sustained efficiency gains across Media teams.