Managing Director, Delivery

VML•Chicago, IL

1d•$100,000 - $230,000•Hybrid

About The Position

VML is seeking a strategic, highly operational Managing Director of Delivery to lead project management across a large national client in the CPG food space. This executive leadership role serves as the architect and steward of the account operating model, ensuring seamless execution across Brand Experience, Commerce, Retail Activation, Experiential, and emerging growth opportunities. As the senior-most Delivery leader on the business, this individual is responsible for creating a scalable, connected delivery ecosystem that enables growth, operational excellence, talent development, and client confidence. The role balances day-to-day operational rigor with long-term transformation, ensuring the organization can effectively support a complex portfolio of brands, capabilities, and workstreams. The MD acts as the connective tissue across Client Leadership, Delivery, Strategy, Creative, Commerce, Analytics, Media, and WPP partners to drive business outcomes and accelerate growth. This individual embodies the vision of being the client's "One Call" partner, bringing clarity, accountability, calmness under pressure, and operational leadership across the entire portfolio.

Requirements

15+ years leading large-scale agency, consulting, marketing, digital, commerce, or transformation organizations.
Experience managing complex, matrixed businesses exceeding $15M+ in annual revenue.
Demonstrated success leading large, multidisciplinary teams.
Deep expertise in operational leadership, delivery management, organizational design, and transformation.
Experience with brand, commerce, retail activation, agentic workflows, integrated marketing, and digital ecosystems.
Strong commercial acumen with proven financial management experience.
Exceptional executive presence and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to influence across multiple organizations and leadership levels.

Nice To Haves

Process-oriented and an innovator with a strong point of view and distinct voice.
Experience standing up new commerce clients and establishing streamlined operations.
Comfortable with ambiguity and a champion of team environments that encourage collaboration.
Thrive in client-facing roles, with an innate ability to understand client problems and provide tailored solutions.
Optimistic and resilient, with the balance and stamina needed to keep the team motivated and positive.
Ego-less, willing to wear multiple hats to contribute to the team's success, regardless of the task.

Responsibilities

Lead the overall Delivery and Operations function, including governance, prioritization, resource strategy, workflow optimization, and operational health.
Ensure successful implementation and evolution of the operating model, establishing clear ownership, accountability, decision rights, and escalation paths.
Partner with senior account leadership to identify operational opportunities and areas for transformation.
Act as a key member of the client's leadership team, contributing to business strategy and growth planning.
Oversee delivery across all brands and client business units, ensuring programs are delivered on time, on budget, and at the highest standards of quality.
Balance competing priorities across brand, commerce, retail activation, experiential, and innovation initiatives.
Proactively identify risks, dependencies, and capacity constraints.
Drive consistency and best practices across project delivery methodologies, governance processes, and operational standards.
Own overall workforce planning and talent deployment strategy, including capacity planning and succession planning.
Build and develop a high-performing delivery organization, coaching and mentoring Delivery leaders.
Partner with People and Finance teams on talent planning, hiring strategy, and organizational design.
Serve as a trusted operational advisor to senior stakeholders, building strong relationships across client leadership, agency partners, and cross-functional teams.
Lead difficult operational conversations with confidence, transparency, and a solutions-oriented mindset.
Represent operational health, delivery performance, and transformation initiatives at executive leadership forums.
Own delivery P&L performance and operational financial health, driving profitability through efficient staffing models, scope management, and operational discipline.
Partner with Client Leadership on forecasting, revenue planning, and growth opportunities.
Monitor utilization, resource efficiency, margins, and investment decisions.
Support business development efforts, including organic growth, expansion opportunities, and new work onboarding.
Lead initiatives that increase scalability, simplify operations, and improve delivery effectiveness.
Establish metrics and reporting that provide visibility into business performance.
Introduce new ways of working that improve team collaboration and client outcomes.
Champion a culture of accountability, operational excellence, and continual improvement.
Ensure the organization evolves from siloed execution toward connected, integrated delivery across all capabilities.