Managing Director, Creative Operations & AI Strategy

Overview

Placement Type:
Permanent

Salary: $,000

Start Date:

ASAP!

* THIS ROLE IS PARTIAL ONSITE IN SEATTLE*

Aquent Studios is seeking a visionary Managing Director to lead a large-scale, high-profile engagement with a global enterprise technology client and drive both business growth and operational excellence. This is a pivotal leadership role where you will shape strategy, inspire high‑performing teams, and expand the partnership’s footprint within a complex, fast‑paced environment. You will be responsible for leading both the business and creative operations of the engagement and will act as an AI Innovator, critically evaluating work and identifying opportunities to advance it with thoughtful application of AI and emerging technologies.

• Lead day‑to‑day client engagement, overseeing both business operations and creative delivery within a large, enterprise environment
• Drive large, complex programs from planning through execution—ensuring delivery on time, within scope, and on budget
• Oversee and optimize end‑to‑end creative and operational workflows across digital, content, marketing, and experiential work
• Continuously evolve workflows by integrating tools, technologies, and AI‑driven efficiencies where they add real value
• Align team structure, skillsets, and resourcing to support growth, quality, and profitability

• Expand business opportunities within the client organization, identifying new areas for growth across a global stakeholder landscape
• Manage and grow a multi‑million‑dollar account, ensuring long‑term partnership success
• Lead strategic planning initiatives to drive revenue and improve operational efficiency
• Build and maintain strong executive‑level client relationships
• Develop innovative proposals and pricing models that position Aquent Studios as a preferred partner
• Own and manage Profit & Loss (P&L) for a large‑scale engagement
• Drive revenue growth while maintaining strong profit margins
• Oversee forecasting, budgeting, cost estimation, and financial reporting
• Ensure profitability through effective resource and project management

• Lead, mentor, and inspire large, cross‑functional teams across business, creative, and operational disciplines
• Build and scale teams aligned to business growth and evolving client needs
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Provide clear direction, coaching, and performance feedback

• Champion excellence across creative, design, and development outputs
• Act as an AI Innovator—evaluating current work and identifying opportunities to enhance it through AI and emerging technologies
• Ensure innovation is grounded in strong business judgment and creative quality, not technology for its own sake
• Balance innovation with brand integrity—ensuring all advancements align with client standards, voice, and constraints typical of a global enterprise brand
• Identify and implement emerging trends, tools, and industry best practices
• Act as a strategic leader within Aquent Studios, contributing to broader organizational growth

• Serve as the primary point of contact for senior stakeholders across a complex, matrixed organization
• Manage escalations, risks, and conflict resolution with professionalism and clarity
• Oversee contracts, scopes of work, and compliance requirements
• Ensure adherence to security protocols and confidentiality standards expected in an enterprise technology environment

• Contribute to proposals, strategic documents, and industry perspectives
• Represent Aquent Studios as a leader in creative, operational, and AI‑driven innovation within enterprise‑scale engagements

• 10+ years of leadership experience in business operations, creative services, or consulting environments
• Proven experience managing both business and creative operations within large‑scale, enterprise‑level engagements
• Proven experience managing multi‑million‑dollar client relationships in complex organizations
• Strong expertise in P&L management and financial oversight
• Demonstrated…