Manager, Agency Management

Location: Riverwoods, IL UNITED STATES

Functional Area: Marketing

Min Pay Rate: $

Max Pay Rate: $

Pay Type: Year

Resource Type: Full Time

Job Description:
From a corporate perspective??Discover Card, D. Network, DFS??position?s function is to 1) provide leadership and direction for ascertaining external agency partners and coordinating their output based upon Discover Card Corporate Branding specifications 2) ensure review of external agency work by appropriate parties to ensure on-strategy, brand-supportive concepts that enhance the customer experience; 3) serve as a communication liaison, sharing information between external agencies, Corporate Branding & Creative Services, BPs and Advertising;
4) develop approach/plan for overall agency management to ensure the business needs of DFS are being met.



Essential Functions



1. Agency Relationship Management:

Oversee development and implementation of the DFA External Agency Process.

Partner with CBCS Operations team in developing trafficking function for internal and external creative services.

Direct efforts to strengthen partnerships with external agencies; oversee coordination of Quarterly Information Meetings with external agencies.

Lead team in continually building and enhancing relationships with BPs

Direct team in streamlining processes and enhancing relationships with Production Services, other business areas and external agencies to ensure projects are accurate and on time.

Mediate and resolve conflicts (creative, communication issues, marketing communication discrepancies), striving towards a win-win solution.

Monitor and enforce brand compliance internally and externally across all marketing communications

Partner with CBCS Brand Asset Management team to ensure BPs and external agencies are trained in writing and utilizing Creative Briefs.

Empower, challenge and inspire external agencies to participate in the production of effective creative that elevates our messaging and our brands, and meets or exceeds our BP expectations.

Collaborate with CBCS Brand Asset Management team in preparing and executing Quarterly creative audits for externally developed creative.

Advise and direct Business Partners on external agency talent/specialties as required.

Oversee the partnering of CBCS staff with external agencies when working jointly on special initiatives to ensure creative is cohesive, meets marketing objective, is on brand, and completed on time.
2. Contract Management
Oversee External Agency RFP process for DFS
Conduct regular (bi-annual) assessments of current and new agencies to push creativity and increase response rates, and ensuring we have the best mix of agencies, ultimately moving the business forward.
Develop and maintain a process for gaining legal approval and implementation external agency agreements.
Adhere to and enforce the DFS purchasing policy and fair bidding practices.
Oversee the tracking invoices to monitor project rate pricing and volume discounts.
Negotiate effective contracts with external agencies to control and/or reduce costs through fixed project rate pricing and volume discounts.
Oversee external agency discount programs and the allocation of rebates to BPs.
Develop and execute process to communicate rebate levels and allocation to BPs.
Oversee development and implementation of auditing procedure for external agency contracts and processes.

3. Development of Staff
Clearly define what is expected of the Agency Relationship Management Freelancer(s).
Provide feedback on staff to ensure they are made aware of their performance level and know how/where to improve their performance.
Be open and accessible to the Creative Relationship Management team members (and all CBCS staff) and engage them in discussions that can advance their knowledge, outlook, understanding and confidence.
Reinforce positive behavior and help engender a work environment where the individuals on the Creative Relationship Management team can be proud of their contributions.
Provide team with useful research, articles, authoritative points-of-view, etc. to advance their business knowledge and skills sets.
Communicate pertinent information to staff regarding BPs and the Company at large to strengthen our understanding of the Firm?s strategic business objectives.
Lead weekly Creative Relationship Management & Operations team meetings when necessary.
Empower, challenge and inspire CBSC team to participate in the production of effective creative that elevates our messaging and our brands, and meets or exceeds our BP expectations.
Participate in selection of new hires for department.

4. CRM Resource Management and Allocation:
Oversee 1 to 2 part-time freelancer(s)
Participate in management of team resources, including Project Managers, Creative Relationship Management associates, and freelancers to ensure appropriate use of talent.
Maintain overview of Creative Relationship Management team and external agency use to ensure proper coverage of assignments and avoid redundancies.
Attend Trafficking when necessary, to ensure Traffic Flow rep is informed of level of projects and correctly route E-Commerce projects.
Ensure team meets all agreed upon deadlines and follows through on projects.

5. Process Improvements
Work with CBCS management team to plan organizational architecture, service commitments/practices, operating procedures and process improvements as they relate to the Agency Management.
Participate in developing effective processes to review/approve and audit all internal and external creative.
Provide process improvement ideas/solutions that accelerate speed to market.
Develop Agency Management Business Plan and assist in the development of the overall Creative Relationship Management & Operations Business Plan.


SKILLS
Required:
Bachelor?s degree

8 years to 10 years

Specify software Excel, Word

Analysis is required for creating new ideas and developing new approaches for solving problems and/or making decisions.


Desired:


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