Client Business Operations Manager

At a glance:

This is an integral role that manages the business operations for a key client engagement. This role ensures that all finance-related tasks (i.e., forecasting, budgeting, billing) are updated across all documentation, and drive validation reviews as required. This includes, but is not limited to budget preparation, staffing analyses, invoice workflow, profitability reviews, account data management, and client reporting.

This person works closely with Client Service, Project Management, Finance and Media teams in a fast-paced environment and with clients to communicate shifts in budgets and resolve discrepancies. Previous experience in Finance or operations and data skills, combined with experience with the day-to-day workflow across internal agency teams including Media, Analytics, Creative, and Production, make the right candidate a great addition to our team. This position reports into the Client Service Lead on the business.

What does a Client Business Operations Manager do at Rain the Growth Agency?

Manages Financial and Operational aspects of a complex, multi-discipline client engagement.

Supports Client Service by managing client budget data and contractual and ad hoc reporting requirements; serves as business partner in operational and strategic decision-making processes.

• Proactively develops understanding of Client Service and client reporting and KPI needs, and provisions accordingly.

• Assists in preparing budget and actual reports based on relevant client metrics.

• Partners with Client Service to review employee utilization and client staffing requirements. Supports accuracy of time-keeping by providing regular review of actuals.

• Maintains client-specific reports and asset reports with a high degree of accuracy.

• Researches and resolves program issues in conjunction with account leads.

• Attends Media Planning meetings, partnering with the Media team to ensure all plans are within budget parameters, and responsible for tracking budget vs actuals at local market levels.

• Meets with Media team each month to reconcile media tactic billing to ensure delivered actuals are within client parameters.

• Tracks third-party vendor/partner budgets and actuals.

• Collaborates and supports Account, Operations, and Finance teams with client budgets, media forecasting, and communication with clients on budget and business-related projects and requests.

Ensures that invoicing support is current and accurate, including any required budget or utilization reporting.

• Understands client contract and supports Client Service and client teams in providing all required supporting documentation for invoicing.

• Manages and tracks burn rates for client staff retainer.

• Supports Client Finance team as needed by providing operational input or clarity required to facilitate invoicing.

• Monitors and manages client budgets for all channels, including media, analytics, creative, and production.

• Works closely with client stakeholders to determine local market reporting and invoicing requirements.

What do we look for in a Client Business Operations Manager at our agency?

• 5-7 years of experience in a Finance, Business Operations or Media Operations role

• Prior media agency experience preferred

• Proactive problem solver that can manage team dynamics, manage project financial performance, clearly communicate status, and drive progress to deliverables

• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office, with emphasis on Excel, including experience with Power Query and Power Pivot, or Power BI or similar BI tools

• Excellent data management skills

• Impeccable attention to detail, exceptional organizational and analytical skills

• Ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a fast-moving environment with a tolerance for surprises

• Basic knowledge/understanding in the following areas is a plus: media buying, creative content development, marketing analytics

• Ability to build positive, collaborative relationships, and act as liaison between client and internal teams

• Appreciation of our agency Core Values

Why work at Rain the Growth Agency?

• We are a national leader in DTC marketing and a fully integrated creative and media agency specializing in both linear and digital channels.

• We have represented many successful companies including OOFOS, Mercari, 1800Contacts, Headspace, Rothy's, Humana, Bissell and many, many more.

• We believe in Transactional Brand Building. Meaning, we deliver on our clients' brand and sales objectives at the same time, often with the same work and the same media plan. This proprietary Rain the Growth Agency philosophy has helped build many iconic brands such as Peloton, Wayfair, Humana and Chewy.

• There are about 240 of us all over the U.S. so we are big enough to have all the bells and whistles, but small enough to have a warm welcoming culture where everyone's voice is heard.

• We are collaborative. We care about, appreciate, and respect each other, value diversity and treat our staff very well.

• We proudly invest in our employees, technology, and tools to ensure the best possible work environment.

• We like to have fun, so there is always an opportunity to join in group activities, book clubs, contests, parties, and events.

• Transparency is valued. Everyone in the company knows how we are doing and where we are going. We encourage open communication and share success with a profit-sharing program.

• We are built for stability. We believe in keeping and enhancing key talent and have a large and diverse roster of impressive clients with diverse revenue sources. We only take on organizations that we believe can scale because our motivation is our clients winning, not just revenue.

• All of the above because we are privately held. We make big decisions quickly and answer only to our clients and to each other.