📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director, Global Creative Operations
🔹 Company: Rakuten Kobo Inc.
🔹 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing & Creative
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-03
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Office & Remote)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading and optimizing the full concept-to-production lifecycle for creative assets
- Ensuring creative teams deliver exceptional work on time, on budget, and at scale
- Driving operational excellence across production, process, tools, and resourcing
- Collaborating with global teams and stakeholders to align on priorities and project planning
- Managing a high-performing creative operations team and fostering a culture of innovation
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic, detail-oriented leader with a proven track record in creative operations, production management, process optimization, financial oversight, and vendor partnerships.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead production and resourcing for creative projects, ensuring on-time and on-budget development of creative assets
✅ Build scalable systems, infrastructure, and processes to improve speed, consistency, and quality across creative projects
✅ Oversee financials, tools, and vendor operations, including budget forecasting, financial reporting, and contract management
✅ Drive collaboration, leadership, and creative excellence by partnering with global creative director, brand and product marketing director, and other stakeholders
✅ Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing creative operations team, providing coaching, performance feedback, and development opportunities
ASSUMPTION: This role involves managing multiple projects and priorities, requiring strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Project Management, or related field
Experience: 15+ years of experience in creative operations, studio production, or marketing operations in large organizations or agencies, preferably with a global scope
Required Skills:
- Proven expertise in managing creative workflows, financial operations, and resource planning
- Deep understanding of creative development processes and agency/vendor models
- Strong background in digital, video, packaging, and retail production
- Proficiency in tools like ClickUp, Asana, SharePoint, DAM platforms, and Adobe Creative Suite
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
- Analytical mindset with experience using data to inform and optimize operations
- Ability to thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments with multiple priorities
Preferred Skills:
- PMP or relevant project management certification
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in global creative operations, managing cross-functional teams, and driving process improvements will be highly competitive for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: CAD 150,000 - 180,000 per year (Based on industry standards for a Director-level role in Toronto)
Benefits:
- Flexible hours and hybrid remote working environment
- Subsidized in-office lunches
- Full benefits starting from your first day
- Paid Volunteer days, unlimited sick days, and 3% RRSP matching
- Monthly commuting allowance for those who are hybrid
- Lifestyle spending account
- Talent and development training budget
- Free Kobo device + free weekly e-book or audiobook
- Weekly Kobo Tech University sessions
- Maternity/paternity leave top up
- Dog friendly office
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexible scheduling options
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Director-level role in Toronto. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Rakuten Kobo Inc. operates in the e-commerce and digital publishing industry, offering e-books, audiobooks, and e-reading services to customers worldwide.
Company Size: 201-500 employees (Medium-sized company)
Founded: 2009 (16 years ago)
Company Description:
- Rakuten Kobo Inc. is the world’s only dedicated digital bookseller, offering more than 6 million eBooks and audiobooks to 30 million+ customers in 190 countries.
- The company delivers the best digital reading experience through creative innovation, award-winning e-readers, and top-ranking mobile apps.
- Rakuten Kobo Inc. is a part of the Rakuten group of companies and is headquartered in Toronto, with offices worldwide.
Company Specialties:
- eBooks
- eReaders
- Global Service
- Reading Apps
- Self-Publishing
- Writing Life
- Open Platform
- Audiobooks
Company Website: https://www.kobo.com
ASSUMPTION: Working at Rakuten Kobo Inc. offers employees the opportunity to contribute to a global digital reading experience and be part of a dynamic, innovative company.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Director-level role, reporting directly to the Global Creative Director
Reporting Structure: This role is responsible for leading and managing a high-performing creative operations team
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (Office & Remote) with flexible hours
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow into a more senior leadership role within the creative operations department or the broader organization
- Opportunities to expand skills and knowledge through training and development programs
- Chance to work on global projects and collaborate with diverse teams
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to make a substantial impact on the company's global creative operations.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (Office & Remote)
Office Location(s): 150 John St, 5th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5V 3E3, CA
Geographic Context:
- Toronto is a multicultural, vibrant city with a thriving tech industry
- The office is located in the downtown core, offering easy access to public transportation and amenities
- Toronto has a humid continental climate, with warm summers and cold winters
Work Schedule: 40 hours per week, with flexible scheduling options
ASSUMPTION: Working in Toronto offers employees the benefits of a diverse, multicultural city with a strong tech industry, as well as a vibrant arts and culture scene.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager
- Final interview with key stakeholders
- Background check and reference check
Key Assessment Areas:
- Candidates' experience and expertise in creative operations and project management
- Candidates' ability to lead and manage a high-performing team
- Candidates' communication and stakeholder management skills
- Candidates' cultural fit with the company and team
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with creative workflows, financial operations, and resource planning
- Demonstrate your ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with multiple priorities
ATS Keywords: Creative Operations, Production Management, Project Management, Resource Planning, Global Creative Operations, Digital Production, Video Production, Packaging Production, Retail Production, Stakeholder Management, Team Leadership
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role may take several weeks, and candidates should be prepared to provide examples of their experience and achievements in creative operations and project management.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- ClickUp
- Asana
- SharePoint
- DAM platforms
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Project management tools
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with the listed tools and technologies is preferred, but not required, as the company may provide training and support for new hires.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Innovation
- Customer-centricity
- Collaboration
- Accountability
- Integrity
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and accountable
- Adaptable and open to change
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments with multiple priorities?
- Are you comfortable working collaboratively with global teams and stakeholders?
- Do you have a proven track record in managing creative workflows, financial operations, and resource planning?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who are adaptable, results-driven, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment will be well-suited to this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
- Working with global teams and stakeholders across different time zones
- Keeping up with industry trends and emerging technologies in creative operations
- Balancing the need for operational excellence with the need for creative innovation
ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Global Creative Operations Manager or Director of Creative Production, but with a broader scope and more strategic focus
- Compared to other creative operations roles, this position offers a unique opportunity to work with a global digital reading platform and contribute to its growth and success
- Career progression in this role could lead to more senior leadership positions within the creative operations department or the broader organization
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to work with a global digital reading platform and contribute to its growth and success, with potential for career progression in the creative operations department or the broader organization.
📝 Sample Projects
- Managing the production of a global marketing campaign, including digital, video, packaging, and retail assets
- Optimizing creative workflows and processes to improve speed, consistency, and quality across multiple projects
- Negotiating and managing contracts with vendors and agencies to optimize quality and value
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, operational, and collaborative aspects of the role, as well as the need for strong project management and stakeholder management skills.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the current state of the creative operations department and the team's priorities for the next 12-24 months?
- How does this role collaborate with the Global Creative Director and Brand and Product Marketing Director to align on priorities and project planning?
- What are the key challenges facing the creative operations department, and how can this role help address them?
- How does the company support the growth and development of its employees, particularly in this role?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance, and how does this role fit into that framework?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions will help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the company, and assess their fit for the position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your experience with creative workflows, financial operations, and resource planning
- Be ready to discuss your ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with multiple priorities
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about next steps
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
