📌 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: 2025-06-24
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Creative Team
- Driving financial excellence and business results within the Creative organization
- Managing resources, budgeting, and ensuring the team meets financial forecasting and goals
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams and senior leadership
- Implementing new tools or systems to streamline operations
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of organizational skills, financial acumen, and the ability to manage multiple projects and teams effectively.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Oversees the day-to-day creative operations, including resources (internal and freelance)
✅ 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
✅ 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
✅ Partners with Creative PMO to document current operational workflows, processes, and procedures
✅ 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
✅ 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 involves a high degree of multitasking, stakeholder management, and process improvement.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Business, Marketing, or a related field
Experience: Minimum of 10 years of relevant operational management experience
Required Skills:
- Expertise in financial management and analysis
- Proven ability to manage resources and budgets
- Strong cross-functional collaboration skills
- Experience implementing and utilizing technologies that support creative teams
- Highly organized with excellent project management skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office/Excel
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the healthcare industry
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, experience in a creative agency or similar environment may be beneficial for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $127,300.00 - $254,700.00 per year
Benefits:
- Career development with an international company
- 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
- 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
- Company 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: Standard, 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels in the healthcare industry.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Abbott operates in the healthcare industry, with a focus on diagnostics, medical devices, nutritional products, and branded generic medicines. The company serves customers in over 160 countries worldwide.
Company Size: Abbott is a large corporation 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 leader in healthcare.
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 products, 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 offerings provide employees with numerous opportunities for career growth and development.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior management level, requiring significant experience and expertise in creative operations and financial management.
Reporting Structure: The Sr. Manager, Creative Operations reports directly to the Creative Team and collaborates with various cross-functional teams and senior leadership.
Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with some travel required (up to 15% of the time).
Growth Opportunities:
- As a senior manager, there may be opportunities to advance to a director or vice president role within the creative team or other departments
- Abbott's global presence and diverse product offerings provide opportunities for international assignments or roles in different business units
- The company's commitment to employee development and training offers opportunities for professional growth and skill-building
ASSUMPTION: Given Abbott's size and global presence, there are numerous opportunities for career advancement and growth within the company.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Abbott's headquarters in Abbott Park, Illinois, features a modern, collaborative work environment designed to foster innovation and creativity.
Office Location(s): 100 Abbott Park Road, Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-3500, US
Geographic Context:
- Abbott Park is located approximately 30 miles northwest of Chicago, providing easy access to the city's cultural attractions, entertainment, and dining options
- The area offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with numerous housing options to suit various preferences and budgets
- The region experiences cold winters and warm summers, with average annual precipitation
Work Schedule: Standard work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with some flexibility for occasional remote work or adjusted hours as needed.
ASSUMPTION: Abbott's headquarters location in Abbott Park offers a convenient commute for residents of the Chicago metropolitan area, with ample opportunities for work-life balance.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume submission
- Phone or video screening with the HR department
- In-depth interviews with the hiring manager and relevant team members
- Final interview with senior leadership
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Financial acumen and analytical skills
- Project management and organizational skills
- Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
- Process improvement and problem-solving skills
- Technical proficiency in relevant software and tools
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role, focusing on financial management, resource allocation, and creative operations
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that assess your problem-solving skills, leadership style, and ability to work effectively in a matrixed organization
- Research Abbott's mission, values, and culture to demonstrate your fit with the company
ATS Keywords: Creative Operations, Financial Management, Resource Allocation, Budgeting, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Project Management, Process Improvement, Healthcare Industry
ASSUMPTION: Abbott's interview process is designed to assess candidates' technical skills, cultural fit, and ability to thrive in a dynamic, global organization.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
- Project management software (e.g., Asana, JIRA, Microsoft Project)
- Budgeting and financial analysis tools (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets)
- Creative project management software (e.g., Workamajig, FunctionFox)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in relevant software and tools is essential for success in this role, as they enable effective project management, collaboration, and financial analysis.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Quality
- Responsibility
- Innovation
- Performance
- Collaboration
Work Style:
- Results-driven and action-oriented
- Collaborative and team-focused
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Strategic and forward-thinking
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with competing priorities?
- Are you comfortable working with multiple stakeholders and managing feedback from various sources?
- Can you effectively balance financial management responsibilities with creative operations and project management?
ASSUMPTION: Abbott's culture values integrity, quality, and collaboration, with an emphasis on results-driven performance and innovation. Candidates should be adaptable, strategic, and comfortable working in a dynamic, global organization.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing competing priorities and balancing financial management with creative operations
- Navigating a global, matrixed organization with multiple stakeholders and feedback sources
- Adapting to a fast-paced, dynamic work environment with frequent changes and new initiatives
- Working with tight deadlines and managing resources effectively within budget constraints
ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong organizational skills, adaptability, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, global organization.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to similar roles in creative agencies or other industries, this role places a greater emphasis on financial management and cross-functional collaboration
- In the healthcare industry, this role may involve working with more complex regulatory environments and a greater focus on patient outcomes and quality
- Career progression in this role may involve transitioning to a director or vice president role within the creative team or moving into a broader business leadership position
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with creative operations positions in other industries, its unique context within the healthcare industry and Abbott's global organization requires specific skills and adaptability.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a new resource allocation model to optimize creative team utilization and budget efficiency
- Streamlining the approval process to improve turnaround time and reduce bottlenecks
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to identify and implement process improvements that enhance creative output and quality
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the diverse responsibilities and challenges faced by the Sr. Manager, Creative Operations, requiring strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and strategic thinking.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the overall creative team structure and contribute to Abbott's mission and goals?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the creative team, and how can this role address them?
- How does Abbott support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in senior management roles?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days, and how will success be measured?
- How does Abbott's global presence and diverse product offerings influence the creative team's work and priorities?
ASSUMPTION: These questions help candidates better understand the role's context, Abbott's culture, and the expectations for success in this position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the provided link
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role, focusing on financial management, resource allocation, and creative operations
- Prepare a cover letter that demonstrates your fit with Abbott's mission, values, and culture
- If applicable, prepare examples or a portfolio showcasing your relevant experience and achievements
- Follow up with Abbott's HR department one week after submitting your application to inquire about your application status
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
