Group Director, Marketing Operations (Adobe Workfront)

Who We Are

VML, part of WPP, is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human first, award-winning work for blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave™ Reports, as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. In addition, VML’s specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world’s largest and most awarded health agencies. VML’s global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55+ markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney.

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.

About the Role

We are looking for a Group Director, Martech Consulting to lead VML's Adobe Workfront practice as its most senior strategic and technical authority. This is a pivotal leadership role at the heart of our Marketing Operations capability — responsible for transforming how enterprise clients plan, execute, and govern their marketing operations through best-in-class Adobe Workfront implementations.

As Group Director, you will go beyond implementation leadership. You will own the strategic vision for how VML delivers operational excellence through technology, shaping our Workfront methodology, growing a high-performing specialist team, and positioning VML as the partner of choice for marketing operations transformation.

This role demands a rare combination of deep platform expertise, senior consulting acumen, and the leadership presence to influence clients and internal stakeholders at the highest levels. You will be the definitive voice on Workfront strategy and delivery across VML — and a key contributor to the growth of the broader Martech practice.

This position requires a minimum of 4 days per week in-office to facilitate collaboration and team development, with travel to client sites as required.

The Impact You'll Make

• Define and lead VML's strategic approach to Adobe Workfront and marketing operations transformation across enterprise client engagements

• Serve as the most senior Workfront authority at VML — advising clients, leading pitches, and shaping practice direction

• Own the end-to-end delivery quality of Workfront implementations — from discovery and solution design through to deployment, adoption, and optimisation

• Build, develop, and inspire a specialist team of Workfront consultants and marketing operations professionals

• Drive business growth — identifying new opportunities, leading proposals, and deepening client relationships

• Establish VML as a recognised leader in Adobe Workfront delivery and marketing operations consulting

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Client Advisory

• Define and own VML's strategic vision for Adobe Workfront and marketing operations consulting — setting the direction for how we design, deliver, and evolve our offering

• Act as the most senior client-facing authority on Workfront engagements — advising C-suite, VP, and Director-level stakeholders with clarity, confidence, and commercial acumen

• Lead executive-level discovery and strategy workshops — translating complex organisational challenges into elegant, scalable technology solutions

• Develop compelling business cases and ROI frameworks that articulate the strategic and operational value of Workfront investment to senior decision-makers

• Guide clients through complex solution decisions — balancing technical integrity, business requirements, and change management considerations

• Build and maintain trusted, long-term senior client relationships that position VML as an indispensable strategic partner in marketing operations

Solution Architecture & Technical Governance

• Own the end-to-end solution architecture for enterprise Workfront implementations — from requirements definition and system design through to deployment and post-launch optimisation

• Translate complex client business requirements into robust, scalable Workfront configurations that support intake, workflow automation, review and approval, resource management, and reporting

• Establish and enforce solution quality standards across all Workfront engagements — ensuring technical integrity, platform best practices, and long-term scalability

• Oversee the design and delivery of Workfront Fusion integrations — connecting Workfront to DAM, ERP, CRM, and broader Adobe Experience Cloud platforms to create seamless marketing operations ecosystems

• Define VML's technical governance framework for Workfront implementations — covering configuration standards, naming conventions, data architecture, and system maintenance protocols

• Lead proof of concept development and technical solution design for complex enterprise client challenges — demonstrating the art of the possible with confidence and credibility

Marketing Operations Transformation

• Lead the design of enterprise marketing operating models — defining how people, process, and technology combine to deliver efficient, high-quality marketing output at scale

• Advise clients on marketing workflow strategy — including campaign intake processes, creative production workflows, cross-functional collaboration models, and executive reporting frameworks

• Drive change management and adoption strategies — ensuring Workfront implementations are embraced by end users and deliver sustained operational value beyond go-live

• Identify and develop operational maturity roadmaps — helping clients evolve their Workfront capability over time in line with growing business complexity and ambition

• Connect Workfront strategy to the broader Adobe Experience Cloud ecosystem — ensuring marketing operations solutions integrate coherently with AEM, Analytics, Marketo, and other platform investments

Practice Development & Thought Leadership

• Define and continuously evolve VML's Workfront delivery methodology — building proprietary frameworks, accelerators, and toolkits that scale quality and accelerate time to value

• Contribute to external thought leadership — producing industry content, presenting at events, and shaping VML's market positioning in marketing operations and work management technology

• Establish VML's Workfront centre of excellence — creating the standards, knowledge assets, and enablement resources that underpin consistent delivery quality across the practice

• Stay ahead of Adobe Workfront product developments — translating new capabilities into client opportunities and internal practice evolution

• Identify adjacent capability areas — including broader marketing operations technology, AI-powered workflow automation, and integrated martech ecosystems — and develop VML's ability to deliver in these spaces

Team Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a growing team of Workfront implementation consultants and marketing operations specialists

• Define clear career pathways and development plans that attract, retain, and grow specialist talent within the practice

• Set high standards for delivery excellence and technical quality — reviewing solution designs, governing implementations, and ensuring consistent output across all engagements

• Foster a culture of innovation, rigour, and continuous learning — keeping the team ahead of platform developments and industry best practices

• Collaborate cross-functionally with strategy, creative operations, data, and technology teams to deliver integrated, outcome-focused client programmes

• Formally manage a team of direct reports, providing regular performance feedback, development coaching, and clear expectations

Business Development & Growth

• Lead and contribute to new business pitches and proposals for Workfront and broader marketing operations engagements

• Identify and develop organic growth opportunities within existing accounts — expanding scope, introducing new capability areas, and deepening strategic relationships

• Contribute to commercial scoping and solution design — ensuring proposals are technically credible, commercially sound, and competitively differentiated

• Maintain a close working relationship with Adobe's Workfront product and partner teams — leveraging those relationships for co-selling opportunities, early access to roadmap developments, and market differentiation

• Represent VML at industry events, Adobe partner forums, and client-facing thought leadership opportunities

What You'll Bring

Essential Experience

• 8+ years of experience in marketing operations, work management technology, or martech consulting — with at least 5 years focused specifically on Adobe Workfront

• Proven track record of leading enterprise Workfront implementations end-to-end — from discovery and solution design through to deployment, adoption, and optimisation

• Deep, hands-on expertise in Adobe Workfront configuration and architecture — including intake design, workflow automation, review and approval processes, resource management, and executive reporting

• Demonstrated experience operating as a senior client advisor — with the presence, credibility, and communication skills to engage and influence at VP and C-suite level

• Strong understanding of marketing and creative operational processes — with the ability to design technology solutions that reflect real-world marketing workflows and organisational dynamics

• Proven ability to lead, develop, and inspire specialist teams within a fast-paced consultancy or agency environment

• Experience with change management and organisational adoption strategies — ensuring technology investments deliver sustained behavioural change and measurable operational value

• Excellent project leadership and commercial acumen — able to manage technical scope, mitigate delivery risk, and maintain delivery confidence across complex, multi-workstream programmes

Technical Proficiency

• Expert-level knowledge of Adobe Workfront configuration — including custom forms, project templates, approval processes, reporting, portfolios, and access levels

• Hands-on experience with Workfront Fusion — designing and maintaining integrations with DAM, ERP, CRM, and other martech platforms

• Familiarity with the broader Adobe Experience Cloud ecosystem — including AEM, Analytics, Marketo, and AEP — and how Workfront integrates within it

• Understanding of API connectivity and data interchange principles as they apply to marketing operations platforms

• Working knowledge of agile and hybrid delivery methodologies and how they apply to enterprise platform implementations

Nice to Have

• Adobe Certified Expert — Workfront Core Developer or Architect certification

• Experience across additional Adobe Experience Cloud products — particularly AEM, Marketo, or AEP

• Background in marketing operations strategy, creative operations, or marketing resource management

• Familiarity with AI-powered workflow automation and how emerging capabilities are reshaping marketing operations

• Track record in practice development, thought leadership, or business development at a senior level

• Experience contributing to Adobe partner programmes and co-selling engagements

• Previous experience at a leading consultancy, systems integrator, or digital agency serving enterprise clients

What Makes This Role Unique

This is a rare opportunity to lead at the convergence of marketing strategy, operational excellence, and enterprise technology. You will be:

• Defining how enterprise marketing teams work — not just implementing software, but transforming the operating models that underpin marketing effectiveness

• Building and leading a specialist practice with genuine influence over its direction, methodology, and market positioning

• Working at the forefront of Adobe's Workfront ecosystem — with direct access to product roadmap developments and co-innovation opportunities

• Bringing together technical depth and strategic vision in a way that is genuinely rare and genuinely valued

Who You'll Work With

You will collaborate closely with:

• Senior client stakeholders — C-suite, VP, and Director-level marketing, operations, and technology leads

• VML strategy, creative operations, and martech teams — ensuring Workfront solutions integrate with broader marketing and technology programmes

• Adobe Workfront product and partner teams — maintaining a close working relationship to stay ahead of platform developments

• Workfront consultants and marketing operations specialists — providing leadership, technical direction, and quality oversight

• VML business development and growth teams — contributing to pitches, proposals, and client expansion conversations

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

VML is a WPP agency (NYSE: WPP). For more information, please visit www.vml.com, and follow along on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

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