Director of Agency Operations

About the role

ICF Next, a group combining strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, events, digital, creative and behavioural science, is looking for an experienced operational leader to become Director of Agency Operations. The role shapes how the agency delivers its most complex and strategically important client programmes, working across the Events, Outreach and Production teams to make people, processes and capabilities work together. It is a highly visible position combining operational leadership, strategic thinking and organisational influence.

Key responsibilities

• Lead operational excellence across the integrated delivery organisation and drive quality, consistency and efficiency across complex communications, engagement and events programmes.
• Strengthen delivery frameworks, governance and ways of working across multiple teams.
• Partner with senior leaders to manage operational risk and delivery performance.
• Improve collaboration across Events, Outreach, Production and Client Services functions.
• Support resource planning, budget management and operational efficiency.
• Identify opportunities to improve delivery through AI, automation and new technologies.
• Help future-proof agency capability through workforce planning, skills development and continuous improvement.

Required profile

• Significant senior leadership experience in an agency, communications, events, consulting or integrated delivery environment.
• Strong operational and commercial acumen, with experience improving efficiency, quality and performance.
• Experience developing scalable operating models, governance frameworks and delivery processes.
• Track record of leading complex, cross-functional programmes and teams.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and turn strategy into execution.
• Collaborative leadership style and interest in innovation, AI and new approaches to agency performance.

The role is based in Madrid, Spain. Candidates must have the legal right to work in Spain or be eligible for sponsorship on a case-by-case basis, and must be physically located in Spain by day 1 of employment. Applications must be submitted directly by the applicant.