Vice President, Operations

Publicis Groupe Holdings B.V; New York (NY); On-site; USD 149,000 - 239,000; Full time

Job summary

Publicis Groupe is seeking a Director of Operations to lead the PepsiCo Client Operations team, driving execution, governance, and continuous improvement across processes, systems, and financial controls. You will partner with cross-functional leaders to ensure operational excellence and scalable delivery for a major client.

The role requires strong operations leadership, extensive experience in media planning/agency environments, and a proven ability to standardize workflows.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• 7+ years of experience in operations, media planning, or project/client management within an agency environment.
• Project management certifications are a bonus.
• Experience in an agency environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing optimization of operational processes for media planning, investment, and campaign activation.
• Drive standardization initiatives, establish consistent workflows, taxonomy, naming conventions, and system requirements across brands and teams.
• Own key Guideline Planning (GLP) processes, including governance, data integrity, workflow enhancements, and troubleshooting.
• Establish and maintain QA processes to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance across media plans, authorizations, and system inputs.
• Develop and maintain playbooks, templates, guidelines, and training materials for consistent execution.
• Align media planning inputs, investment execution, authorizations, and downstream financial reporting.
• Escalate complex operational issues and implement long-term solutions.
• Partner with SVP, Operations and senior leadership on priorities and initiatives.
• Lead cross-functional operational projects with clear deliverables and timelines.
• Identify opportunities to improve broader operational effectiveness through workflows and processes.
• Build strong relationships with Clients and internal departments for alignment on priorities.
• Provide operational guidance for internal reporting, time tracking, onboarding, etc.
• Collaborate with Finance, Planning, and Investment leadership on financial processes and budgeting.
• Oversee draft billing processes for portfolio brands.
• Support SVP, Operations with Scope Tracking and Staff Plan Management.
• Develop direct reports through coaching and performance management.
• Foster accountability and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Lead ad hoc operational projects as needed.

Skills

Operations leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

MediaTools

MediaOcean/Prisma

PM tools

AI adoption

Job description

Company description

PLUS+ by Publicis is PepsiCo's dedicated global marketing and media operating model, bringing together the best talent, capabilities, technology, data, and expertise from across Publicis Groupe into one integrated team. Supporting iconic brands including Pepsi, Gatorade, Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Mountain Dew, and Quaker, PLUS+ is designed to accelerate growth, innovation, and transformation at scale.

This is a unique opportunity to join a team being built from the ground up and help shape the future of marketing for one of the world's most recognized consumer brands. Team members work alongside industry-leading experts across strategy, media, commerce, analytics, data, technology, and operations while contributing to a first-of-its-kind global model launch.

If you're energized by innovation, transformation, and the chance to make a visible impact on a global business, PLUS+ offers an opportunity unlike any other in the industry.

Overview

The Director, Operations is responsible for providing strategic and day-to-day operational leadership for the PepsiCo Client Operations team. This role oversees the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of processes, systems, and best practices to drive operational efficiency, financial accuracy, and consistency. The Director, Operations partners closely with cross-functional teams and leadership to ensure operational excellence, support business objectives, and drive accountability throughout the organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing optimization of operational processes supporting media planning, investment, and campaign activation.


• Drive standardization initiatives, establish consistent workflows, taxonomy, naming conventions, and system requirements across brands and teams.


• Maintain direct ownership of key Guideline Planning (GLP) processes, including system governance, data integrity, workflow enhancements, and operational troubleshooting.


• Establish and maintain quality assurance processes to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance across media plans, authorizations, and system inputs.


• Lead the development and maintenance of playbooks, templates, guidelines, and training materials to support consistent execution across teams.


• Ensure operational alignment between media planning inputs, investment execution, authorizations, and downstream financial reporting.


• Serve as an escalation point for complex operational issues, proactively identifying risks and implementing long‑term solutions.


• Partner with SVP, Operations and senior leadership to establish operational priorities, drive strategic initiatives, and support broader organizational objectives.


• Lead and support cross‑functional operational projects, establishing clear expectations, deliverables, timelines, and accountability across participating teams.


• Identify opportunities to improve broader operational effectiveness through workflow optimization, process improvements, and enhanced ways of working.


• Develop and maintain strong relationships with Clients and internal departments, fostering collaboration, communication, and alignment on organizational priorities.


• Provide operational guidance and support for internal reporting, time tracking, onboarding, and other team management processes.


• Partner with Finance, Planning, and Investment leadership to ensure accurate and consistent financial processes, financial compliance, budget management, forecasting, and reporting.


• Oversee and manage the draft billing process for various portfolio brands.


• Support SVP, Operations with Scope Tracking, Staff Plan Management, etc.


• Manage and develop direct reports through ongoing coaching, performance management, delegation, and professional development opportunities.


• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.


• Lead and support ad hoc operational projects and business initiatives as needed.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree.


• 7+ years of experience in operations, media planning, or project/client management within an agency environment.


• Project management certifications are a bonus.

Managerial and Operational Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement operations standards, workflows, and best practices across cross‑functional teams.


• Strong understanding of media planning and buying processes, financial workflows, reporting requirements, and campaign execution

Technical Proficiency:

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.


• Guideline Planning (MediaTools) experience preferred.


• Experience with MediaOcean / Prisma and other media planning and investment systems.


• Experience with Project Management/Workload Management tools.


• Experience and interest in AI adoption, AI tools/usage.

Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills:

• Exceptional critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision‑making abilities.

Communication and Detail Orientation:

• Exhibits strong communication skills, including clear writing and professional speaking, strong listening skills and tactfully communicating positions on relevant issues.


• Ability to manage multiple priorities, navigate ambiguity, and deliver results in a fast‑paced environment.


• Professional presentation, training, and client‑facing skills.

Problem-Solving Approach:

• Hands‑on problem‑solving abilities with a \"can‑do\" approach, combining thinking and doing.

Proactive and Forward‑Thinking:

• Demonstrates forward thinking, ideating, and considering next steps with minimal direction.

Team Collaboration & Development:

• Ability to manage up to senior reporting managers and effectively delegate/manage down to direct reports.


• Embodies a positive, team‑player attitude.


• A passion for learning new skillsets, receptive to constructive feedback and desire for career growth.

Reporting and Succession

• Reports directly to SVP, Operations

Additional information

Our Publicis Groupe motto “Viva La Différence” means we’re better together, and we believe that our differences make us stronger. It means we honor and celebrate all identities, across all facets of intersectionality, and it underpins all that we do as an organization. We are focused on fostering belonging and creating equitable & inclusive experiences for all talent.

Publicis Groupe provides robust and inclusive benefit programs and policies to support the evolving and diverse needs of our talent and enable every person to grow and thrive. Our benefits package includes medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401K, as well as parental and family care leave, family forming assistance, tuition reimbursement, and flexible time off.

If you require accommodation or assistance with the application or onboarding process specifically, please contact [e-mail].

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Veterans Encouraged to Apply.

#LI-EK2

Compensation Range: USD $149,340.00 - USD $239,148.00/Annually. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. This role may also be eligible for bonus or incentive compensation. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may also be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third‑party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 12/15/2026.