Ketchum

About Ketchum

As a global communications consultancy with 100 years of experience, Ketchum is a trusted partner who is equal parts creative and analytical. Ketchum is a place where all perspectives and points of view are welcome and encouraged. We are a collection of communications specialists, content creators, creatives, researchers, data analysts, media pros, digital strategists, issues and crisis counselors, and tech nerds. And we love when those worlds collide to create the very best teams and solutions for our clients. We work with the world’s leading brands, emerging start-ups, and everything in between. We are beyond proud to have created some of the most celebrated and award-winning campaigns in our industry. We’re just crazy enough to think we can impact the world – and how it responds to ideas – through communication.

We encourage our employees to be curious, brave, inspiring, and a force for good. Let’s talk. Come belong at Ketchum!

The VP, Director, Resource Manager role is at the center of an extremely dynamic and demanding environment and will work closely with client leads, talent, and finance to ensure the assignment of sufficient and suitable talent resources to projects with balanced workloads and ability to adjust assignments as client projects shift and/or new projects start, as well lead the resolution of resource conflicts across a large group of stakeholders. 

They will need to understand the complexity of how our work gets done, have a deep understanding of our talent capabilities and career goals, and possess impeccable communication and interpersonal skills. The role requires a high level of patience, diplomacy and fortitude, and a strong voice in a fast-moving environment. 

Responsibilities: 

• Establish strong relationships with members of assigned businesses, in addition to partnering with HR and Finance leaders and/or key vendor contacts. Host check-ins with key stakeholders to allow for real time adjustments as the business shifts. 
• Help assign team members to projects that match the needs of the business, along with their skills and career aspirations, based on resource plans provided by the client/team leads. 
• Build relationships with staff to better understand capabilities and aspirations to maximize assignments and engagement of staff. 
• Recognize areas for opportunity or improvement amongst staff; flag for managers and HR to support continued development in both hard and soft skills. Advocate the most well-suited teams for projects. 
• Ensure that the teams assigned to projects have resources needed to deliver effectively. Flag issues/gaps to appropriate leadership and help problem solve. 
• Help monitor workload to ensure high client service yet efficient execution of all projects. Balance workload across internal teams and hourly/freelance staff; identify potential instances of excessive or underutilization of talent and help solve any potential issues. 
• Monitor new business pipeline/pitches to proactively solve for future talent assignments; track growth and hi-potential clients and sectors to support workforce planning (development, recruitment, etc.) efforts. 
• Manage freelance and hourly staff allocations and assignments in partnership with client/team leads, HR and Finance. Track freelance/hourly contacts and proactively build on a pre-existing network. Manage freelance and contract worker relationships. 
• Work with functional leads to solve for out of office coverage. 
• Mediate cross-functional resourcing issues/conflict resolution with functional leads and HR partners. Leverage resources across the network. Manage communications around any shifting resources. 
• Stay familiar with the latest trends and work in the communications and consulting industry to apply best practices. 
• Collaborate with recruiting team re: on FTE and hourly/freelance recruiting needs. 
• Work with leaders to help shape resource management tools, systems and templates. Constantly strive to improve processes and workflow. 

Qualifications: 

• Workfront Project Management software experience required.
• Bachelor’s degree and minimum of 10+ years relevant experience in a creative, consulting or marketing organization. 
• Experience in a resource or project management role within a project-based communications, creative or consulting environment. 
• Proven ability to create and implement best in class resource management function. 
• Solid understanding of project lifecycle and process: able to understand complex project requirements, understand briefs, and recognize potential risks and dependencies relevant to resourcing work. 
• Ability to plan ahead - regularly review, forecast and reforecast project resource needs. 
• Ability to navigate high-pressure situations, identify problems + solutions, and escalate as needed. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with strong conflict resolution skills; positive by default and excels in being a problem solver and pushing past obstacles. 
• Thrives in a fluid, fast-paced environment and works well under pressure. 
• Expert user of spreadsheet tools and systems; strong command of MS Office. 
• Demonstrated experience with resourcing and project management tools, as well as talent management systems. 

The salary range for this position is $140,000 - $165,000. This position may be bonus eligible depending on individual employee performance and Ketchum business performance. The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, education, years of experience, past training, skills and abilities of applicant, internal equity and local geographic market data. A range of medical, dental, vision, 401(k) matching, paid time off, and/or other benefits also are available.

What We Offer

• Hybrid Workplace: Three days a week in the office
• Robust benefits program, effective within 30 days of hire
• Paid maternity/paternity leave
• Family Forming Benefits
• Employee Recognition Program
• Generous paid time off includes vacation, wellness, and extended holiday schedule
• Various development opportunities to enhance personal and professional life
• Tuition reimbursement
• Monthly Cell Phone & Wi-Fi reimbursement

Interested? We’ve got an opportunity for you.