Creative Services Manager

Responsibilities

Functional Duties

Lead the conceptualization and design of clients projects under the CS function.

Add value to CS projects, produce creative assets, introduce innovative formats to the

deliverables in line with the latest market trends.

Oversee the CS function to ensure high quality and timely deliverables.

Apply correct use of firm templates and branding guidelines.

Project Planning & Scheduling

Co-plan with the Presentation Design Manager the daily tasks assignments and brief the workflow coordinator accordingly.

Co-manage with the Presentation Design Manager the WFC project planning based on all stakeholders input.

Oversee the VCS booking system CS entries, ensure data accuracy, and validate vendors invoices in line with the system data.

Supervise and maintain the CS schedule taking into consideration projects strategic importance, resources availability and deadlines.

Project Control & Quality Assurance

Sign off on all CS deliverables, ensuring high quality projects, and upholding the brand guidelines and/or pre-production standards.

Ensure the project meets client expectations in terms of quality, budget, timelines, and strategy.

Project Communication

Manage day-to-day interaction and guide VCS clients to identify their needs, set and manage their expectations and propose viable solutions.

Use sound judgement in all communication and ensure that stakeholders are updated on projects progress, risks, and schedule in a timely manner.

Project Accounting & Finance

Endorse the VCS ME pricing model, agree on projects timelines with internal team and vendors, communicate time estimation and cost to client in accordance with the service levels, ensuring charges are aligned with the communicated cost.

Manage clients information, availing data required for projects implementation and invoicing.

Internal Project Reporting & Administration

Discuss client and team inputs, projects quality and success metrics with clients, Head of VCS and/or team to continuously ensure clients satisfaction.

Supervise CS tasks and sheets, submit timely reports (iPower, VCS booking system sheets, etc.), and ensure VCS team and vendors tasks are reported accurately and in a timely manner.

People Agenda & Relationships

Promote ownership, transparency and self-development among team members.

Influence the VCS team and vendors to be accountable for their work and deliver high quality products.

Conduct effective team evaluations and submit performance appraisals.

Enhance the internal and vendors skillset, recommend opportunities to develop their technical knowledge and creative talent.

Train resources on the job, monitor their progress, deliver timely and constructive feedback, and ensure their advancement within the CS specialty.

Determine skill set/roles of team members assigned to projects and needed resources based on projects requirements.

Build a strong network of external vendors and develop their output in line with Strategy& business strategy and the market needs.

Meet teams and vendors utilization targets.

Undertake required actions to keep the Strategy& templates and brand assets up-to-date, and recommend innovative tools that improve staff efficiency and answer business needs.

Guide senior staff through the CS briefing process, understand their requirements, propose viable solutions, and action their brief.

Train and coach staff on specialty software as needed.

Chair brainstorming sessions, create concepts, develop visuals and finalize CS projects.

Liaise with the Head of VCS on any final output to update the VCS portfolio and archive.

Manage conflicts between team members and promote a positive team spirit.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Qualifications

Graphic Design college degree. Project Management certification is a plus

6 years experience in Graphic Design projects and resources management

Skills

Fluency in spoken and written English and Arabic

Good knowledge of PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Adobe Suite,and interactive and animation

techniques

Ability to maintain a high level of quality, design effectiveness and attention to detail while

multitasking in a fast paced environment

Ability to remain on the forefront of emerging industry practices and to develop own and

resources skill set and VCS new tools and best practices

Excellent supervisory and coordination skills including time management, feedback

delivery, and leading teams

Ability to take direction and accept criticism constructively

Strong analytical and problem solving skills

Demonstrated ability to initiate and build cooperative relationships with co-workers,

managers, clients staff and Strategy& clients and external vendors, and promote a positive,

healthy and efficient work environment