Creative Production Manager

Aquent is partnering with a leading financial services organization, a company dedicated to empowering individuals and institutions through innovative solutions and a commitment to client success. This organization is a pioneer in its field, constantly evolving to meet the dynamic needs of its diverse client base. Joining this team means contributing to a mission that impacts millions, driving forward initiatives that shape the future of financial well-being.

Are you a master of print production with a keen eye for detail and a passion for bringing creative visions to life? We are seeking a dynamic and highly organized professional to join a vibrant team, where you will be instrumental in delivering exceptional integrated production across various channels. In this pivotal role, you won't just manage projects; you'll be the driving force behind impactful brand experiences, ensuring every printed piece and digital integration not only meets the highest quality standards but also captivates audiences and reinforces brand integrity. Your expertise will directly influence how campaigns are executed, how budgets are optimized, and how innovative ideas move from concept to tangible reality, making a significant impact on the organization's marketing success.

What You'll Do

• Partner closely with Brand, Marketing, Creative, Digital, and Media teams to plan and execute integrated production across all channels, ensuring strict adherence to brand standards.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive integrated production plans, including scopes, estimates, schedules, milestones, and dependencies, proactively identifying and resolving risks to keep projects on track.
• Oversee cross-channel delivery and manage all asset handoffs, including specifications, naming conventions, versioning, and final file packages, to ensure timely launches and seamless trafficking to platforms and partners.
• Establish and enforce rigorous integrated Quality Assurance (QA) standards across various formats, covering aspects like color, typography, accessibility, functional testing, proofs, and preflight, ensuring all deliverables meet brand, legal, compliance, and channel requirements.
• Manage relationships with external production partners, such as studios, retouchers, developers, printers, and fulfillment vendors, handling Statements of Work (SOWs), bids, rights/usage, and deliverable acceptance, all while driving cost efficiency without compromising quality.
• Collaborate with Creative Directors, Designers, and outside vendors to guide projects from initial conception through to successful fruition.
• Develop and lead promotional strategies for product launches, seasonal campaigns, and brand initiatives across diverse channels.
• Monitor competitive trends and industry best practices to inform and inspire innovative promotional strategies.
• Work with external vendors to engineer projects, advising design and production teams on file construction and delivery specifics, negotiating costs, and ensuring material quality before final delivery.
• Manage substantial budgets, providing internal partners with clear budgetary options related to design deliverables.
• Manage project specifications for various deliverables, aligning internal and external schedules to meet all delivery milestones.
• Develop and track all production timelines for internal partners, coordinating various deliverables with external print vendors, and implementing cost-saving measures.
• Act as the ultimate owner of production QA, meticulously managing elements such as file construction, image quality, resolution, color, fonts, paper stock, design construction, mailing, and fulfillment.
• Maintain a deep understanding of current vendors and their capabilities, effectively assessing vendor pools to conduct competitive bid analyses.
• Collaborate with vendors to develop template design programming for on-demand, personalized content generation.
• Serve as the expert in Direct Mail practices and constraints, understanding the intricate connection between data files and variable content rendered via XML transfer.

What You'll Bring

Must-Have Qualifications:

• 2-5+ years of dedicated experience managing print production, gained either with an agency or an internal design team.
• Proven experience working effectively with creative staff and studio production teams.
• Familiarity with creative workflow systems such as Workfront or Basecamp.
• Ability to understand complex file construction and proficiently utilize Adobe PDF preview.
• Fluency in Adobe Creative Suite, with the ability to create or revise native files, including the creation and revision of PowerPoint decks.
• Experience working on projects involving third parties, whether from the client or vendor side.
• Expertise in writing comprehensive Production Specifications that accurately translate file information into precise production instructions.
• Solid knowledge of purchasing specifics, including figuring unit costs and calculating change requests.
• Working knowledge of procurement systems such as Peoplesoft or Ariba, or other purchasing instruments.
• Strong understanding of Direct Mail best practices and Postal Regulations.
• Ability to accurately estimate production times based upon specifications and quantities needed.
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to perform effectively under pressure.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications:

• Knowledge of various paper types, stocks, weights, and coatings, along with the ability to anticipate visual outcomes based on ink configurations.

About Aquent Talent:

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match.

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.