Director, Data Operations

Adelphi Group • Chicago, IL

4d • $90,000 - $215,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Data Operations is a senior leader responsible for guiding the strategy, development, and execution of data operations, business intelligence solutions, and data governance across agency teams and client accounts. The role establishes frameworks that support data integrity, analytic excellence, and operational effectiveness across media channels. It builds relationships with internal and external partners, develops teams, champions automation, and positions data as foundational to marketing and media activities.

The Data Operations team oversees data generated throughout campaign delivery and performance optimization, collaborating with Digital Analytics, Planning, and Digital Investment. The Director provides oversight of digital media buys to ensure they follow processes and are purchased and entered according to organizational standards. The role requires familiarity with syndicated and proprietary analytics and technology tools, with an emphasis on fostering processes through automation.

The position leads data management and governance, business intelligence and technical solutions, cross-functional partnerships, project and resource management, data quality and compliance, team development, client leadership, and process innovation. To the extent permitted by local law, employees are required to work in the office at least three days per week unless their agency or manager directs additional in-office days.

Requirements

• At least 8 years of experience in data operations and/or business intelligence.
• 5–6+ years of experience in an advertising agency environment, such as ad operations, analytics, or digital investment.
• At least 6 years of experience working with digital media data, including ad server, digital, search, social, video, and offline data.
• 4–6+ years of experience in data governance and quality processes within data warehousing, ETL, and BI environments.
• 5–6+ years of management experience, including managing direct reports and offshore teams.
• 5–6+ years of experience in client-facing roles.
• Demonstrated success leading the design, development, and delivery of data management frameworks and reporting applications.
• In-depth expertise with processes across multiple media channels and diverse datasets, including paid and owned data.
• Exceptional attention to detail, organizational, multitasking, and project management skills.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical topics to varied audiences.
• Strong ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex data and process issues.
• Experience with budgets, resource scoping, and agency operations.
• Advanced Excel proficiency.
• Experience writing business and technical requirements documents and comfort with business rules design and BI tool administration.

Nice To Haves

• Media industry experience is highly preferred.
• SQL experience is preferred.
• Python experience is a nice to have.
• Experience with MediaTools, Lumina, or Hudson is a bonus.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain data management, governance, and quality frameworks aligned with agency and client business objectives.
• Lead adoption and enhancement of business intelligence tools, data warehousing solutions, and process automation; partner with stakeholders to standardize data and reporting applications.
• Serve as a strategic liaison among Media, Analytics, Strategy, Planning, Data Technology, Finance, vendor partners, and clients; promote alignment on data operations best practices.
• Oversee project planning, assign and prioritize tasks, ensure timely and high-quality delivery, resolve roadblocks, manage onshore and offshore teams, and allocate resources effectively.
• Direct business rules, data cleansing, quality assurance, troubleshooting, documentation, compliance with industry standards, and ongoing process optimization.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop managers, analysts, and offshore support; establish goals and foster collaboration and performance growth.
• Act as a subject matter expert for client-facing initiatives, translate client requirements into actionable internal insights, and encourage adoption of data best practices.
• Champion emerging technologies and workflow solutions, prioritizing automation and data as foundations for agency and client success.
• Provide oversight of digital media buys to ensure processes are followed and buys are purchased and entered according to organizational standards.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed