Client Operations Executive

BRAND: Starcom
Job Function: Client Management
Location: London, United Kingdom
Experience Level: Entry
Workplace Type: Hybrid

Company description

With a history that dates back over 80 years,Starcom is a global communications planning and media leader. We are an agency still grounded in our founding principle that people are at the centre of all we do. Each day, we apply this belief to harness the transformative power of data and technology to inspire and move people and business forward. With more than 7,000 employees in over 100 offices around the world, we are the flagship Publicis Media agency that uses our 'Power of One' business model, with teams that span multiple disciplines across clients such as Aldi, P&G, P&O Ferries, Primark, Samsung, Stellantis, and Visa.

We place a huge focus on our People and have driven flagship D&I and L&D programmes within Publicis Media; our goal is to help every individual reach their fullest potential and we encourage everyone to make "Brave Plays" in how they approach their work and their own career development. As a result, we have an exceptionally energised and committed talent base, all of us proud of our welcoming and supportive culture, as evidenced by our recognition as one of Campaign's Best Places to Work for three years in a row (2021, 2022 and 2023) and most excitingly, Media Week's Agency of the Year 2023!

Overview

Team/ Department Summary
This is an exciting role within Starcom as a member of the Constellation team, solely working on one of the agency's biggest clients, Samsung. Samsung is one of the worlds most loved brands. Even though Samsung is a huge dynamic organisation, they like to think of Starcom as a business partner, not just an agency. We have a very close relationship with the marketing team and the creative agency.

Job Description

As the Client Operations Executive, you will assist the Client Operations Senior Executives, Manager and Director to drive efficiencies by evolving and streamlining processes through automation, simplification, deduplication, and standardisation. You will promote and police the Samsung financial best practice model, and offer process guidance & support to the wider teams.

You will liaise very closely with the Samsung global team in the US daily, as well as Finance and Resources, to align on best practices and ensure deadlines are met for the Samsung HQ funded accounts. You will work with both Planning and Activation teams at Starcom in the UK, globally, as well as local market teams across the EU region and with our creative agency counterparts, to ensure that all teams are adhering to correct processes, templates, and taxonomy. The role will require you to be well versed in the Global, UK & EU best practice models so that the team can work sinuously when required.

Responsibilities

• Works on regular task-based assignments, including PO spend report closely directed by more senior staff.
• Assists with the identification of recurring issues in billing or PO management, and updates Client Ops Manager with detailed context.
• Cross-check all billing evidence submitted by Activation team to ensure accuracy and identify and escalate errors.
• Arrange plan-billing delivery confirmations and populate tracker for billing team.
• Chase Activation for missing evidence.
• Sending out PO closure reviews to Planning teams and following up for responses within SLA.
• Ensure PO Records have been set up correctly with correct line references, date ranges, budgets and product codes, flagging any issues to Planning.
• Keep all trackers up to date with new POs/campaigns which are issued through the Client platform.
• Prepare agendas for, contribute or lead on regular stand-up meetings with the Activation teams.
• Keep on top of all financial administrative tasks relating to evidencing & invoicing of campaigns across all media.
• Stay informed to evidence and billing deadlines to Planning and Activation teams to ensure everyone is aligned.
• Be aware of all system providers and 3rd parties, keeping up to date with the latest tools and developments which could help streamline processes.
• Carry out administrative or reporting tasks as assigned by senior team members, supporting the overall operations of the Samsung team.
• Works to actively expand role and experience through increased expertise, knowledge of industry and/or technical skills and capabilities.
• Become confident in the financial processes and operational workflows to provide support and advice to the planning/activations team when required

Qualifications

Key Requirements

This person should be highly motivated with key attention to details and numbers, an effective communicator, both verbally and written, able to identify what is required within each query or task, and ensure the financial process is strongly adhered to by all parties. They will need to have strong organisation and time management skills. They will need to be able to take control of day-to-day operations, whilst keeping the Client Operations Manager up to date with issues that may need more senior involvement.

To be successful in this role you will need the following:

• Strong written & verbal communication which is organised and effective.
• Pro-active approach to problem solving.
• Be proficient in the use of Excel spreadsheets with the ability to write and understand basic formulae and pivot tables.
• Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment, and complete tasks accurately
• Good team player, showing relevant initiative and pro-activity.
• Self-driven, passionate about new ideas and solutions.
• Work assertively with other individuals and teams to drive Samsung best practice.
• Effective and calm under pressure.
• Able to grasp new concepts and be adaptable.

Additional information

Employees joining The Pack, which is an early careers programme that connects, supports and develops you to kick-start your career with us, initially start with an annual salary of £28,850.

The recruitment process

• Step 1: Apply and get started!
• Step 2: Show us what you've got - complete some fun, interactive tasks through Arctic Shores' assessment. Look out for this in your emails following your application!
• Step 3: A quick chat with a recruiter to get to know you better and for you to ask any questions and let us know if you require any adjustments.
• Step 4: Join us for a virtual assessment day where you can showcase your skills and strengths.
• Step 5: We'll give you feedback, post assessment day, whether or not we move forward with your application.

Starcom has fantastic benefits on offer to all of our employees. In addition to the classics, Pension, Life Assurance, Private Medical and Income Protection Planswe also offer;

• WORK YOUR WORLD opportunity to work anywhere in the world, where there is a Publicis office, for up to 6 weeks a year.
• REFLECTION DAYS - Two additional days of paid leave to step away from your usual day-to-day work and create time to focus on your well-being and self-care.
• HELP@HAND BENEFITS 24/7 helpline to support you on a personal and professional level. Access to remote GPs, mental health support and CBT. Wellbeing content and lifestyle coaching.
• FAMILY FRIENDLY POLICIES We provide 26 weeks of full pay for the following family milestones: Maternity. Adoption, Surrogacy and Shared Parental Leave.
• FLEXIBLE WORKING, BANK HOLIDAY SWAP & BIRTHDAY DAY OFF You are entitled to an additional day off for your birthday, from your first day of employment.
• GREAT LOCAL DISCOUNTS This includes membership discounts with Soho Friends, local restaurants and retailers in Westfield White City and Television Centre.

Full details of our benefits will be shared when you join us!

Publicis Groupe operates a hybrid working pattern with full time employees being office-based three days during the working week.

We are supportive of all candidates and are committed to providing a fair assessment process. If you have any circumstances (such as neurodiversity, physical or mental impairments or a medical condition) that may affect your assessment, please inform your Talent Acquisition Partner. We will discuss possible adjustments to ensure fairness. Rest assured, disclosing this information will not impact your treatment in our process.

Please make sure you check out the Publicis Career Page which showcases our Inclusive Benefits and our EAG's (Employee Action Groups).

#DNI