Production Operations Manager - Temporary Contract

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Job Description

Who we're looking for

We are seeking a senior professional to lead a strategic six-month project designed to work with our agency partners to establish creative and production agency relationships globally and define the best operational model for the future. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in overseeing creative production workflows and managing high-volume design production lines. They will be skilled in driving innovation and process improvements, implementing automation and templated systems, and continuously enhancing digital asset management. The ideal candidate will have had extensive experience in procurement, transformation, or marketing operations within large, matrix-style global organisations or creative and production agencies. Experience leading marketing or agency operations teams is essential, alongside a robust understanding of supplier selection, performance evaluation, and onboarding. You'll be comfortable working with colleagues based abroad, navigating organisational complexity, and partnering with stakeholders at all levels to ensure an optimised, efficient and future-facing agency network.

About Schroders

We're a global investment manager. We help institutions, intermediaries and individuals around the world invest money to meet their goals, fulfil their ambitions, and prepare for the future.

We have around 6,000 people on six continents, and we've been around for over 200 years, but keep adapting as society and technology changes. What doesn't change is our commitment to helping our clients, and society, prosper.

The base

We moved into our new HQ in the City of London in 2018. We are close to our clients, in the heart of the UK's financial centre. And we have everything we need to work flexibly.

The team

The role will work within the Marketing Planning and Production team. This team is responsible for comprehensive campaign planning expertise while overseeing the end-to-end execution of multi-channel marketing campaigns and projects, ensuring alignment with business objectives and regional needs. We are also responsible for the creative production workflow and collaborating cross-department for campaign performance reporting. We are a high-performing team, encouraging a collaborative and agile culture.

What you'll do

• Conduct a comprehensive global review of existing marketing creative and production agencies across all markets and business lines.
• Assess supplier performance, capabilities, and value, leveraging your analytical skills and market insight.
• Develop and implement a consolidation strategy, including recommendations for preferred partners, onboarding, and potential offboarding.
• Collaborate closely with procurement and legal to ensure contractual compliance and optimal commercial outcomes.
• Lead and facilitate stakeholder workshops and interviews with key decision-makers at regional and global levels.
• Present progress and recommendations to senior leadership, ensuring buy-in and alignment throughout the process.
• Develop and implement transition plans for any agency changes, overseeing knowledge transfer and risk mitigation.
• Embed robust measurement and reporting processes to track efficiency, value, and agency performance post-implementation.
• Partner with internal marketing, finance and operations teams to align on requirements, goals and success metrics.
• Create clear documentation and handover materials to support ongoing agency management after the project's completion.

The knowledge, experience and qualifications that will help

• 7+ years' experience in procurement, transformation, marketing operations, or agency management within large, globally matrixed organisations.
• Proven success in leading rationalisation, supplier selection or consolidation initiatives.
• Track record managing multiple complex projects or workstreams concurrently.
• Working knowledge of marketing agency models, production landscapes, and commercial/contract management.
• Understanding of change management and project management methodologies.
• Analytical skills with the ability to interpret performance data and drive evidence-based recommendations.
• Experience working within cross-functional teams and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presenting to senior leadership.
• Relevant qualifications, e.g., business, marketing, procurement or project management.

What you'll be like

• Analytical and strategic, with a focus on driving operational excellence.
• Confident, clear communicator and presenter.
• Highly organised, detail-oriented, and able to manage shifting priorities.
• Resilient, acting with integrity and professionalism in a complex, fast-paced environment.
• Focused on delivering tangible outcomes and embedding robust measurement.
• Inclusive, champions a culture where all colleagues feel valued.

We recognise potential, whoever you are

Our purpose is to provide excellent investment performance to clients through active management. Diversity of thought, facilitated by an inclusive culture, will allow us to make better decisions and better achieve our purpose. This is why inclusion and diversity are a strategic priority for us and why we are an equal opportunities employer. You are welcome here, regardless of your age, disability, gender identity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, or any other protected characteristic.

About Us

We're a global investment manager. We help institutions, intermediaries and individuals around the world invest money to meet their goals, fulfil their ambitions, and prepare for the future.

We have around 6,000 people on six continents. And we've been around for over 200 years, but keep adapting as society and technology changes. What doesn't change is our commitment to helping our clients, and society, prosper.