Chief Operating Officer (US)

Marketing Communications Agency
$125-150,000 + Executive Package

Outstanding opportunity to join, and lead the development of the US operation for a top-10 marketing communications agencies. Significant achievement and award wins set this international B2B & B2C agency apart from their competitors, and with their most prestigious award(s) being won in the current year, their future is even more impressive than their history.

Working with some of the largest brands and businesses across the globe, their sector focus includes all forms of consumer product, service, manufacturing & engineering, food and energy/environmental; many client relationships spanning decades. Their services including full Integrated Marketing Communications, PR, Digital, Web and Design along with Strategic Marketing Consultancy services.

Recent international investment has seen their reach expand yet further and driven even greater commercial and financial performance, especially in their still newly entered US market. A critical element to continuing and increasing that growth and success, is the recruitment of a highly commercial Managing Director to head up and grow that territory; a heavyweight marketing communications professional, bringing inspirational qualities to secure a bright and profitable future for the group.

The role as Chief Operating Officer is an outstanding opportunity to not only take a key role in an exciting, market leading, award-winning B2B Agency, but to be a key part of, and benefit from, the business’s future, including the opportunity to be a part of it’s ownership in the medium term.

This executive appointee will take full responsibility for the entire US business. They will be responsible for, and take an active part in all functions and performance metrics as would be expected for a business of this nature. Initially the prime focus will be on driving creative and design input, commercial strategies, developing and being outright responsible for key customer relationships and ensuring maximum performance of all deliverables.

Customer relationships will be at the centre of this role, both winning new and fully servicing existing customers. Commercial growth is critical to the onward development of the group, but the quality of the company’s client marketing campaigns must be paramount, ensuring they are compelling, valued and effective is essential.

The Chief Operating Officer will be ultimately overall responsible for the quality of all agency output from planning, branding and positioning to tactics and evaluation – they will be able to demonstrate the ability and experience to achieve outstanding results.

But their main focus will be working with and critically driving the Business Development teams to motivate, energise, and performance-manage the current activities whilst developing new client wins, new streams and new levels of commercial success. Within this area, one prime task will be to design a clear group-wide sales strategy and effectively communicate it to the BD teams. The potential within the current team is proven to be very strong; with greater strategic input, successes will match that potential.

The appointee will act as consultant across all teams for integrated marketing campaigns for existing clients and new business opportunities. Winning and retention of major accounts through sound consultancy and creative deliverables are key capabilities sought.

Working with other members of the executive team, the COO will coach and develop staff to raise capability and confidence across the US business.

The Chief Operating Officer will also need to be an inspirational figurehead and motivational leader. Whilst being a strong and entrepreneurial leader, the appointee will need to be able to connect and inspire all individuals in this broad-based structure.

Leading client contacts as well as designing and communicating the operational and commercial vision for the group, with internal and external support, will be the key to exceeding expectations in this innovative business. Operational and efficiency improvements already form a strong foundation for the business, continued and improved customer relationships will enable maximum commercial and financial benefit to be gained from all group functions.

Candidate profile and chemistry fit is critical for this pivotal role. Working within a fast-paced, innovative, entrepreneurial environment, attitude is as important as experience. The person is everything. The Chief Operating Officer will set the tone, energy and culture for the business, internally and externally….and design its success. The gravity of success is all about having the right attitude, underpinned with demonstrable experience.

Suitable candidates will be high achieving marketeers with a strong background in business development as well as creating and managing a culture of success internally and among clients. They will have a demonstrable customer facing marketing career behind them, but will still have a highly commercial, business development focus, aligned to demonstrable general management and operational capability.

The appointee will have a marketing/agency background with expertise across a number of sectors and international markets. An affinity with, and understanding of, the challenges of business, trade and industrial marketing communications consultancy will be advantageous.

They will have designed commercial sales and business development strategies, worked closely with operations and creative teams in designing solutions and have had huge success in doing so. They will be ready to step up to lead this exciting business.

A key requirement of the candidate is to network in the wider business community (marketing and industry sectors) – locally, nationally and internationally – promoting the agency and building recognition and reputation.

Tact, diplomacy and professionalism are key attributes for this position.

The successful candidate will have significant entrepreneurial ability and desire, and be hugely excited by a very high paced environment, thick with USPs – technical, creative strength is underpinned by a real “Just Do It” attitude.

Role due to go live Q4 2017

To express an early interest, please EMAIL me: gary@garychaplin.com