📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Sr. Manager, Creative Operations
🔹 Company: Abbott
🔹 Location: United States - Illinois - Abbott Park
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing Support
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-02
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Overseeing the day-to-day creative operations to meet business needs while staying within budget
- Planning and overseeing resourcing, budgeting, and business performance to meet financial forecasting and goals
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to ensure seamless workflows and high-quality outputs
- Implementing new tools or systems to streamline operations and improve processes
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of organizational skills, strong communication, and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously. It also involves working in a global, matrixed organization across multiple time zones.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Oversees the day-to-day creative operations, including resources (internal and freelance), to ensure business needs are met while staying within budget through weekly utilization reports and monthly billing
✅ Drives the implementation of SOWs to establish competitive pricing for the internal team and holds team and partners accountable to staying on track to meet quarterly and annual goals
✅ Provides financial and analytical support to Creative Network group on department costs, expenses, travel, and headcount
✅ Supports the annual strategic plan and goals development processes
✅ Outlines upcoming workstreams to appropriately plan and budget for talent needed to complete work on time
✅ Refines approval process and actively reconciles feedback from multiple stakeholders and executive leadership
✅ Ensures seamless collaboration between team members and stakeholders and engages with senior leadership on monthly/quarterly financial reporting, forecasting, and resources
✅ Partners with Creative PMO to document current operational workflows, processes, and procedures and conducts regular evaluations to identify and address areas for improvement
✅ Supports the implementation of new tools or systems to streamline operations
✅ Oversees team of creative operational managers who own asset management, utilization, operational process, and POs, and provides coaching and guidance to direct reports
✅ Synthesizes information from multiple sources, uses business knowledge and sound judgment to consolidate and streamline, and creates a high-quality, on-time finished work product
✅ Works to identify process and operational improvements across GMEA and shares lessons learned
✅ Works in a global, matrixed organization across multiple time zones
✅ Responsible for adhering to all company policies and procedures
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of financial management, resource allocation, and project management. It also involves working with diverse teams and stakeholders to ensure the best creative outputs that meet business needs.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Business, Marketing, or a combination of relevant education, experience, and training
Experience: Minimum of 10 years of experience in relevant operational management
Required Skills:
- Hands-on experience handling resource management, technology, and workflow processes
- Proven ability to communicate and build strong cross-functional relationships
- Experience reconciling diverse inputs and feedback to ensure the best creative outputs that meet business needs
- Expert in implementation and utilization of technologies that support creative teams
- Being a team player is a must, as this role will be a key partner to several cross-functional teams
- Highly organized, results-driven, and an expert at managing interdisciplinary creative workstreams and tracking many multi-faceted projects across teams
- Ability to prioritize multiple projects and tasks and reliably meet deadlines
- Proficient in Microsoft Office/Excel
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working in a global, matrixed organization
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong background in finance, business, or marketing, along with relevant operational management experience, are likely to be successful in this role. Strong communication and organizational skills are also crucial.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $127,300.00 - $254,700.00 per year
Benefits:
- Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of
- Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year
- An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution
- Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree
- A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune
- A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with the possibility of working up to 15% of the time
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on Abbott's official job posting. However, it's essential to note that the actual salary may vary depending on factors such as the candidate's experience, skills, and the company's internal equity.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Abbott operates in the healthcare industry, with a portfolio of life-changing technologies spanning diagnostics, medical devices, nutritional, and branded generic medicines. They serve people in more than 160 countries worldwide.
Company Size: Abbott is a large company with over 10,000 employees globally. This size allows for extensive career development opportunities and a diverse work environment.
Founded: Abbott was founded in 1888 and has since grown into a global healthcare leader.
Company Description:
- Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life
- Their portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritional, and branded generic medicines
- Abbott's 114,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries
Company Specialties:
- Nutrition
- Diagnostics
- Medical Devices
- and Branded Generic Pharmaceuticals
Company Website: https://www.abbott.com
ASSUMPTION: Abbott's extensive global presence and diverse product portfolio provide ample opportunities for career growth and development within the company.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is a senior management position, requiring a high level of experience and expertise in operational management and creative operations.
Reporting Structure: The Sr. Manager, Creative Operations reports directly to the Creative Network group and oversees a team of creative operational managers.
Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with the possibility of working up to 15% of the time. It also involves working in a global, matrixed organization across multiple time zones.
Growth Opportunities:
- As a senior management role, this position offers opportunities for career advancement within Abbott's creative operations or other departments
- The company's large size and global presence provide ample opportunities for career growth and development
- Abbott's commitment to employee development, including tuition reimbursement and education benefits, further enhances growth prospects
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, both within the creative operations department and across Abbott's diverse business segments.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Abbott's headquarters is located in Abbott Park, Illinois, with additional offices and facilities worldwide.
Office Location(s): 100 Abbott Park Road, Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-3500, US
Geographic Context:
- Abbott Park, Illinois, is located approximately 30 miles north of Chicago, providing easy access to urban amenities while maintaining a suburban work environment
- The area offers a mix of cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities, making it an attractive location for both professionals and families
- Illinois is known for its robust healthcare industry, providing ample networking and career advancement opportunities
Work Schedule: The standard work shift is 40 hours per week, with the possibility of working up to 15% of the time. The work arrangement involves working in a global, matrixed organization across multiple time zones.
ASSUMPTION: Abbott's location in Abbott Park, Illinois, offers a convenient and attractive work environment for candidates seeking a balance between urban and suburban living, with ample opportunities for career growth and development within the healthcare industry.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
- Final round interview with senior leadership
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Operational management skills and experience
- Financial management and budgeting expertise
- Project management and organizational skills
- Communication and collaboration skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Abbott's values and mission
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant operational management experience, financial management skills, and project management expertise
- Demonstrate your ability to work effectively in a global, matrixed organization and manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Showcase your strong communication and collaboration skills, as well as your ability to work with diverse teams and stakeholders
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that assess your problem-solving skills, adaptability, and leadership potential
ATS Keywords: Operational Management, Financial Management, Budgeting, Project Management, Creative Operations, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Global Organization, Matrixed Organization, Multiple Projects, Deadlines, Communication, Collaboration, Stakeholder Management, Problem-Solving, Adaptability, Leadership
ASSUMPTION: Abbott's interview process focuses on assessing candidates' operational management skills, financial management expertise, and ability to work effectively in a global, matrixed organization. Strong communication and collaboration skills are also crucial for success in this role.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, JIRA, Trello)
- Budgeting and financial management software (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets)
- Creative operations management software (e.g., Workfront, Monday.com)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, project management tools, and budgeting software is essential for success in this role. Familiarity with creative operations management software is also beneficial.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Quality
- Responsibility
- Excellence
- Collaboration
- Inclusion and Diversity
- Courage
- Accountability
Work Style:
- Results-driven and high-performing
- Adaptable and resilient in the face of change
- Strong communicator and collaborator
- Team player with a focus on cross-functional collaboration
- Proactive and solution-oriented
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you align with Abbott's core values, particularly integrity, quality, and collaboration?
- Are you comfortable working in a global, matrixed organization across multiple time zones?
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment that requires strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who demonstrate a strong alignment with Abbott's core values, particularly integrity, quality, and collaboration, are likely to be a good fit for this role. Additionally, candidates should be comfortable working in a global, matrixed organization and possess strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a team of creative operational managers and providing coaching and guidance may require strong leadership and communication skills
- Working in a global, matrixed organization across multiple time zones may present challenges in coordinating workflows and managing time differences
- Balancing the need to meet business needs while staying within budget may require strong financial management and prioritization skills
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously may require exceptional organizational skills and time management
ASSUMPTION: While this role offers numerous opportunities for career growth and development, it also presents several challenges that require strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other senior management roles in creative operations, this position offers a broader scope of responsibilities, including planning and overseeing resourcing, budgeting, and business performance
- Abbott's global presence and diverse product portfolio provide ample opportunities for career growth and development within the company, compared to smaller organizations with more limited growth prospects
- As a large company with over 10,000 employees globally, Abbott offers a more extensive network of colleagues and resources than smaller organizations, providing more opportunities for collaboration and learning
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of responsibilities, opportunities, and challenges that set it apart from similar positions in other organizations. Abbott's large size and global presence provide ample opportunities for career growth and development, compared to smaller organizations with more limited growth prospects.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a new resource management system to improve efficiency and accuracy in tracking internal and freelance resources
- Streamlining the approval process to ensure timely and effective feedback from multiple stakeholders and executive leadership
- Identifying and addressing areas for improvement in current operational workflows, processes, and procedures to enhance overall efficiency and effectiveness
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and challenges that the Sr. Manager, Creative Operations may face in this role, requiring strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and leadership.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the Creative Network group and how this role fits into the broader organizational context?
- How does the company support the professional development and growth of employees in this role and within the creative operations department?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days, and how will success be measured?
- How does the company foster a culture of collaboration and inclusion, and what specific initiatives are in place to support diversity, equity, and inclusion within the creative operations department?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the creative operations department, and how can this role contribute to addressing them?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions during the interview process will help candidates better understand the role's dynamics, expectations, and opportunities for growth and development within Abbott's creative operations department.
📌 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 operational management experience, financial management skills, and project management expertise
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that assess your problem-solving skills, adaptability, and leadership potential
- Research Abbott's company culture, values, and mission to demonstrate your alignment with the organization
- Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative within one week of submitting your application to express your interest in the role and inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
