Sr. Manager, Creative Operations

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Sr. Manager, Creative Operations

🔹 Company: Abbott Laboratories

🔹 Location: Abbott Park, Illinois

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Healthcare

🔹 Date Posted: July 3, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Overseeing the day-to-day creative operations, including resources and budgeting
• Driving financial excellence and delivering business results within the Creative organization
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams and providing financial and analytical support
• Implementing new tools or systems to streamline operations and improve processes
• Managing a team of creative operational managers and providing coaching and guidance

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of organizational skills, financial acumen, and the ability to manage multiple projects and teams effectively. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in operational management and a proven track record of driving business results.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Oversees the day-to-day creative operations, including resources (internal and freelance) and ensures 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 high level of attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects and teams effectively. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in operational management and a proven track record of driving business results.

🎯 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 team
• Being a team player is a must. 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 multiple languages

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong background in operational management, with a focus on financial excellence and business performance. They will also have excellent communication skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and teams effectively.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $127,300.00 - $254,700.00 per year

Benefits:

• Free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year
• 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

Working Hours: 40 hours per week

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on industry standards for a senior management role in the healthcare sector. The benefits package is competitive and designed to attract and retain top talent.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Healthcare. Abbott Laboratories is a global leader in healthcare, with a portfolio of life-changing technologies that span the spectrum of healthcare, including diagnostics, medical devices, nutritional and branded generic medicines.

Company Size: 10,001+ employees. As a large organization, Abbott offers numerous opportunities for career growth and development.

Founded: Abbott was founded in 1888 and has a rich history of innovation and scientific discovery.

Company Description:

• Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life
• The company's 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 serves people in more than 160 countries and has a diverse workforce of over 100,000 employees

Company Specialties:

• Nutrition
• Diagnostics
• Medical Devices
• and Branded Generic Pharmaceuticals

Company Website: https://www.abbott.com

ASSUMPTION: Abbott Laboratories is a well-established and respected company in the healthcare industry, with a strong commitment to innovation and improving the lives of patients worldwide.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior Management. This role is a senior-level position with significant responsibility for driving financial excellence and business results within the Creative organization.

Reporting Structure: The Sr. Manager, Creative Operations will report directly to the Vice President of Creative Operations and will oversee a team of creative operational managers.

Work Arrangement: On-site. This role requires a significant amount of collaboration and coordination with other teams and stakeholders, making an on-site presence essential.

Growth Opportunities:

• As a senior-level position, this role offers opportunities for career advancement within the Creative organization or other departments within Abbott
• The company's global presence and diverse portfolio of products and services provide numerous opportunities for career growth and development
• Abbott's commitment to employee development and training offers numerous opportunities for professional growth and skill-building

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within a large and dynamic organization. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with a strong track record of driving business results and a desire to grow and develop within the company.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Corporate headquarters. Abbott's global headquarters is located in Abbott Park, Illinois, and serves as the hub for the company's operations and decision-making.

Office Location(s): 100 Abbott Park Road, Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-3500, US

Geographic Context:

• Abbott Park is a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, and offers a mix of urban and suburban living
• The area is home to numerous parks, museums, and cultural attractions, as well as a vibrant food and entertainment scene
• The cost of living in the Chicago area is generally lower than in other major metropolitan areas, such as New York or San Francisco

Work Schedule: Standard business hours, with some flexibility for remote work as needed

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a corporate headquarters environment and have the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic setting. They will also be able to manage their time effectively and balance multiple priorities and deadlines.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume submission
• Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
• On-site interview with a panel of Abbott employees
• Final interview with the Vice President of Creative Operations

Key Assessment Areas:

• Financial acumen and business performance
• Operational management skills and experience
• Communication and collaboration skills
• Problem-solving and analytical skills

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Be prepared to discuss your approach to operational management, financial excellence, and business performance
• Demonstrate your ability to manage multiple projects and teams effectively

ATS Keywords: Operational management, financial excellence, business performance, cross-functional collaboration, project management, process improvement, team leadership, Microsoft Office, Excel

ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role is designed to assess the candidate's financial acumen, operational management skills, and ability to collaborate effectively with other teams and stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have a strong track record of driving business results and a strategic mindset.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, JIRA, Trello)
• Financial and budgeting software (e.g., Microsoft Dynamics, SAP)
• Creative project management tools (e.g., Workamajig, Smartsheet)

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience with a variety of tools and technologies, including Microsoft Office Suite, project management tools, financial and budgeting software, and creative project management tools. They will also be comfortable learning and adapting to new tools and technologies as needed.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Innovation
• Collaboration
• Quality
• Performance
• Integrity
• Responsibility

Work Style:

• Dynamic and fast-paced
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Results-driven and focused on business performance

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you approach driving financial excellence and business results within a creative organization?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you had to reconcile diverse inputs and feedback to ensure the best creative outputs that met business needs?
• How do you prioritize multiple projects and tasks and ensure that you meet deadlines?

ASSUMPTION: Abbott Laboratories values innovation, collaboration, and a results-driven work style. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, with a strong commitment to collaboration and business performance.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The role requires a high level of attention to detail and strong analytical skills
• The role may require working with multiple stakeholders and managing conflicting priorities
• The role may require working in a global, matrixed organization across multiple time zones
• The role may require working with tight deadlines and managing multiple projects simultaneously

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be able to manage multiple projects and teams effectively, with a strong attention to detail and excellent analytical skills. They will also be comfortable working in a global, matrixed organization and managing tight deadlines and conflicting priorities.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to other senior-level operational management positions in the healthcare industry, with a focus on driving financial excellence and business performance
• The role may require more experience with financial and budgeting software than other similar roles in the creative industry
• The role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within a large and dynamic organization

ASSUMPTION: This role is similar to other senior-level operational management positions in the healthcare industry, with a focus on driving financial excellence and business performance. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in operational management and a proven track record of driving business results.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and implementing a new budgeting and forecasting process for the creative organization
• Streamlining operational workflows and processes to improve efficiency and reduce costs
• Managing a team of creative operational managers to ensure that the team meets financial forecasting and goals

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are designed to illustrate the types of projects that the Sr. Manager, Creative Operations may be responsible for. The ideal candidate will have experience with similar projects and a proven track record of driving business results.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the Creative organization?
• How does the Sr. Manager, Creative Operations role fit into the overall organizational structure and strategy?
• What are the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role?
• How does Abbott support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What are the key challenges facing the Creative organization, and how can this role help address them?

ASSUMPTION: These key questions are designed to help the candidate better understand the role, the team, and the organization. The ideal candidate will be curious and proactive in their approach to the interview process.

📌 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 for your interview by researching Abbott Laboratories and the Creative organization
• Be ready to discuss your approach to operational management, financial excellence, and business performance
• Follow up with the hiring manager within one week of your interview to express your interest in the role

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