Lead Resource Manager (Creative Services)

We are looking for an experienced and strategic-minded Senior Resource Manager for our Creative & Engineering capacity planning and resourcing practice across our Northern European teams.

JOB PURPOSE 

This role is critical for ensuring efficient resource allocation and capacity management while accommodating the dynamic digital marketing landscape and supporting our business growth.

In this role, you will be responsible for the effective utilization of our billable team members within the Creative & Media team in our Netherlands and Denmark markets - ensuring that our casting practices uplevel the potential of our people, that we operate nimbly and flex at pace with client needs, and that we have appropriate billable headcount to achieve our business goals. This means vigilant balancing of the supply and demand of our most important asset, our people.

You will be an expert matchmaker - understanding project needs, the team’s skills (aptitudes and appetite), and how to curate the best team for the best work possible. As a Lead Resource Manager, you will proactively partner with the Commercial team to evaluate our new business pipeline to plan for future resourcing needs and optimize our utilization and bench capacity within the team.

The successful candidate will be responsible for a team of 4 Resource Managers within the Creative & Media team in the Netherlands and Denmark.

The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal relationship skills, an analytical mindset, as well as a deep understanding of the skills within the supported craft team  (specifically within Creative, Media, Social, Programmatic, SEO and Search).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Resource Optimization: Identify and evaluate capacity constraints and opportunities within the organization (bandwidth and burnout), making data-driven recommendations for resource allocations, nearshoring, and utilization optimization.
• Skill Management: Identify skill gaps within the regional teams and work with craft leads as well as P&C to address talent needs through hiring, training, or reassignment.
• Demand Forecasting: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop accurate demand forecasts, encompassing both short-term and long-term client requirements.
• Risk Mitigation: Proactively identify potential risks and challenges in the resourcing plan and develop strategies to mitigate them.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with various departments, including account management, creative teams, operations, and sales, to ensure alignment between Capacity Planning (Resource Management) and client satisfaction.
• Conflict Resolution: Act as a mediator in resource conflicts, prioritization challenges, or overlapping project demands, ensuring equitable distribution of resources.
• Performance Monitoring: Track key metrics and provide regular reports to local, regional and global leadership on resource utilization, bench capacity, and nearshore and freelance ratios.
• Compliance and Governance: Ensure compliance with company policies and guidelines related to resource management, including time tracking, resource allocations and reporting.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• A background in resource management, creative services, traffic management, or creative project management in a digital, media, or creative agency industry, with a minimum of 4 years in a resource management role.
• Strong understanding of digital marketing, technology, and creative services and how projects are delivered and staffed to meet client expectations, on time and on budget.
• Proficiency in resource management software and tools.
• Previous leadership experience in a resource management or related role.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with proficiency in data analysis and forecasting tools.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across various departments.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Well organized, process-driven and dedicated, with an outgoing personality and can-do attitude. 
• Exceptional diligence and attention to detail as well as resourcefulness and quick, practical thinking in a demanding environment. 
• Team-oriented mindset with a focus on collaboration.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Business and conversationally proficient English language skills.

WE OFFER

• A reputation for doing good. DEPT® has been a Certified B Corp® since 2021, has been named a Great Place To Work since 2022 in the Netherlands and named ‘Agency of the Year’ at both The Lovies and The Webby Awards.
• Awesome clients. Whether big, small, local or global — at DEPT® you’ll get the opportunity to work with all of them. And we celebrate all of our successes together!
• The choice to work where you are most productive: whether that is in one of our offices, or abroad for 13 weeks a year. Rather work from home? No problem! We’ll provide you with the best of class materials, such as a high-quality laptop, monitor, work phone and the necessary furniture.
• Work anywhere. Choose your ideal workspace: office, abroad for 13 weeks a year, or home. We’ll equip you with everything you need.
• DEPT®/YOU Learning Menu and DEPT®/YOU Special Programs. Develop your skills with courses and programs tailored to your needs.
• Stay happy and healthy with a contribution to your health through the OpenUp platform, gym and wellness discounts, and healthy lunches at the office.
• Get a discount on your lease bike and ride in style. You can also enjoy hassle free-commutes with an NS Business Card. 
• You can discover even more employee benefits here.

WHO ARE WE? 

We are pioneers at heart. What does that mean? We are always looking forward, thinking of what we can create tomorrow that does not exist today. We were born digital and we are a new model of agency, with a deep skillset in tech and marketing. That’s why we hire curious, self-driven, talented people who never stop innovating. 

Our culture is big enough to cope and small enough to care. Meaning, that with people across 30+ countries, we’re big enough to provide you with the best tools, global opportunities, and benefits that help you thrive. While acting small by investing in you, your growth, your team, and giving you the autonomy to solve our clients problems, no matter where you are in the world.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION 

At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.

Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine.

We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.

Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts here.