Creative Operations Manager (12 Month Contract)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Creative Operations Manager (12 Month Contract)

🔹 Company: Mars

🔹 Location: London, United Kingdom

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Contract

🔹 Category: Marketing & Creative

🔹 Date Posted: July 11, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Senior level (5-10 years)

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Owning and managing content operations processes for Mars' Europe and Central Eurasia cluster teams, regional marketing teams, and brand leads.
• Serving as the primary point of contact for these teams and external agency partners.
• Developing and implementing successful technical content, platform, and media strategies.
• Building and managing content teams, as well as communities from scratch within the organization.
• Analyzing data and trends to define appropriate recommendations and strategies.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of organization, communication, and stakeholder management skills to coordinate and streamline content operations across multiple teams and external partners.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Support the day-to-day operations of the Europe & Central Eurasia (ECE) BCC team, overseeing key operational priorities such as agency SoWs, production approaches, budget management, and establishing, deploying, and embedding existing and new relevant One Demand processes.

✅ Support Mars' content transformation ambitions by driving new production and transcreation approaches, such as smart production, AI production, and content automation.

✅ Support the Content Ops & Production Director in defining optimal weekly output (WoW) across capability pillars and brand and content leads in defining optimal WoW across campaigns in service of IBEs.

✅ Ensure agencies and partners deliver against commitments made in SoWs and commercial agreements, establishing required ongoing review processes and measures to track partner progress.

✅ Oversee the management (forecasting and tracking) of BCC team budgets (A&CP and Overheads) and work with the Finance team to ensure regular reporting and adherence to budgets.

✅ Work across the region to support the deployment, embedding, and measurement of any globally or regionally defined brand content processes or operational workflows.

✅ Manage and measure outputs and performance across the overall team, defining and tracking KPIs and benchmarks to measure the impact of efforts and translating data into recommendations to optimize content and drive incremental change.

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of cross-functional collaboration, stakeholder management, and data-driven decision-making to ensure efficient and effective content operations.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

Experience: Proven experience (5-10 years) developing and implementing successful technical content, platform, and media strategies, as well as building content teams.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in content operations, data analysis, community building, project management, attention to detail, relationship building, budget management, performance measurement, content transformation, production approaches, KPI tracking, stakeholder management, content automation, transcreation, and agency management.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working in a global or regional role within a large organization.
• Fluency in additional languages (particularly those spoken in Europe and Central Eurasia).

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in fast-paced, dynamic environments and a strong understanding of content operations, data analysis, and stakeholder management will be most successful in this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £60,000 - £75,000 per annum (pro-rated for 12-month contract). This estimate is based on market research for similar roles in London and Mars' company size.

Benefits:

• Learning and development support, including access to Mars University.
• Company bonus.

Working Hours: Full-time, Monday to Friday, with flexibility to work overtime as needed to meet project deadlines.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market research and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications. Mars offers competitive benefits packages to attract and retain top talent.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Mars operates in the Food and Beverage Manufacturing industry, with a diverse portfolio of brands including Mars Petcare, Mars Food, Mars Edge, and Mars Wrigley.

Company Size: Mars is a large, privately-held company with over 10,000 employees worldwide. This size offers opportunities for career growth and exposure to diverse teams and projects.

Founded: Mars was founded in 1911 by Frank C. Mars and is now led by CEO Grant F. Reid. The company has a rich history and a strong commitment to its Five Principles: Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency, and Freedom.

Company Description:

• Mars is a global leader in confectionery, pet care, and food products, with iconic brands such as M&M'S, SNICKERS, PEDIGREE, ROYAL CANIN, and UNCLE BEN'S.
• The company is committed to creating a positive impact on the world through its business, with a focus on sustainability, diversity, and inclusion.
• Mars offers a dynamic and collaborative work environment, with a strong emphasis on personal and professional growth.

Company Specialties:

• Confectionery and snacks.
• Pet care and nutrition.
• Food products and ingredients.

Company Website: Mars.com

ASSUMPTION: Mars' large size and diverse portfolio of brands offer candidates the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects and gain exposure to various aspects of the business.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the mid-senior level, requiring a balance of strategic thinking and hands-on execution.

Reporting Structure: The Creative Operations Manager reports directly to the Content Ops & Production Director and works closely with cluster teams, regional marketing teams, brand leads, and external agency partners.

Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with the expectation that the successful candidate will be based in Mars' London office. However, there may be opportunities for flexible working arrangements, depending on the candidate's needs and the team's requirements.

Growth Opportunities:

• This role offers the opportunity to gain experience working on a global scale and collaborating with diverse teams across Europe and Central Eurasia.
• Candidates may have the chance to take on additional responsibilities or projects, depending on their skills and interests.
• Mars provides learning and development opportunities through its in-house Mars University, which can help candidates advance their careers within the organization.

ASSUMPTION: This role provides a unique opportunity for candidates to gain experience in content operations, stakeholder management, and data-driven decision-making on a global scale.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Mars' London office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster creativity and innovation.

Office Location(s): Mars' London office is located in the heart of the city, with easy access to public transportation and nearby amenities.

Geographic Context:

• London is a vibrant, multicultural city with a thriving arts, culture, and entertainment scene.
• The city offers a wide range of housing options, from urban apartments to suburban family homes.
• London has a temperate maritime climate, with cool winters and warm summers.

Work Schedule: The standard workweek is Monday to Friday, with core hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. However, the role may require flexibility to work overtime or on weekends to meet project deadlines.

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and be able to manage their time effectively to meet project deadlines.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening.
• Phone or video screening with the hiring manager.
• In-person or video interview with the hiring manager and a panel of stakeholders.
• Final interview with the Content Ops & Production Director.

Key Assessment Areas:

• Candidates' understanding of content operations and data analysis.
• Candidates' ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively.
• Candidates' communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Candidates' cultural fit with Mars' values and work environment.

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in content operations, data analysis, and stakeholder management.
• Be prepared to discuss your experience with content transformation, production approaches, and KPI tracking.
• Research Mars' company culture and values to demonstrate your understanding of and alignment with the organization.

ATS Keywords: Content Operations, Data Analysis, Community Building, Project Management, Attention to Detail, Relationship Building, Budget Management, Performance Measurement, Content Transformation, Production Approaches, KPI Tracking, Stakeholder Management, Content Automation, Transcreation, Agency Management

ASSUMPTION: Mars' application process is designed to assess candidates' skills and cultural fit with the organization. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their relevant experience and alignment with Mars' values throughout the interview process.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
• Data analysis tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Tableau, Power BI)
• Content management systems (e.g., Adobe Experience Manager, Sitecore, Contentful)

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have experience with relevant project management, data analysis, and content management tools to be successful in this role.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Quality: The consumer is our boss, quality is our work, and value for money is our goal.
• Responsibility: As individuals, we demand total responsibility from ourselves; as Associates, we support the responsibilities of others.
• Mutuality: A mutual benefit is a shared benefit; a shared benefit will endure.
• Efficiency: We use resources to the full, waste nothing, and do only what we can do best.
• Freedom: We need freedom to shape our future; we need profit to remain free.

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented.
• Data-driven and analytical.
• Adaptable and responsive to change.

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you have experience working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, and can you manage your time effectively to meet project deadlines?
• Are you comfortable working with diverse teams and external partners, and can you build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders?
• Do you have a strong understanding of content operations, data analysis, and stakeholder management, and can you apply these skills to drive incremental change and improve content performance?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with Mars' values and work style will be most successful in this role and within the organization.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The role requires managing multiple projects and priorities, which can be challenging at times.
• Candidates may face resistance from stakeholders when implementing new processes or driving change.
• The role involves working with external agency partners, which can present unique challenges and require strong communication and project management skills.
• The role may require occasional travel to Mars' offices in other European and Central Eurasian countries.

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and be able to manage their time effectively to meet project deadlines.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on content operations for Mars' Europe and Central Eurasia cluster teams, regional marketing teams, and brand leads.
• Similar roles in other organizations may focus on specific brands, regions, or content types, but this role offers a broad scope and global perspective.
• Candidates with experience in similar roles may find the scope and scale of this role to be particularly appealing, as it offers the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects and gain exposure to various aspects of the business.

ASSUMPTION: This role provides a unique opportunity for candidates to gain experience in content operations, stakeholder management, and data-driven decision-making on a global scale.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and implementing a new content automation process to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Analyzing content performance data to identify trends and opportunities for optimization, and developing data-driven recommendations to improve content performance.
• Managing a team of content creators and external agency partners to deliver a major campaign, ensuring that all content is on-brand, on-time, and within budget.

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and skills required for this role, from data analysis and process improvement to project management and stakeholder communication.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the typical workflow for content approval and publication in this role?
• How do you approach building and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders, both internal and external?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you had to drive change or implement a new process, and how you approached resistance from stakeholders?
• How do you prioritize and manage multiple projects and priorities effectively?
• Can you describe the work environment and culture in Mars' London office, and how this role fits into the broader organization?

ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to assess candidates' understanding of the role, their ability to work effectively with stakeholders, and their cultural fit with Mars' values and work environment.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the Mars careers website.
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in content operations, data analysis, and stakeholder management.
• Prepare for your interview by researching Mars' company culture and values, and be ready to discuss your experience with content transformation, production approaches, and KPI tracking.
• If selected for the final interview, be prepared to present a sample project or case study that demonstrates your skills and experience in content operations.
• Follow up with the hiring manager within 24 hours of your interview to express your appreciation for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the role.

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.