Resource Director (1 year Contract)

Who We Are At VML, you won’t just do the best work of your career. You’ll leave your mark on some of the top brands in Canada. With more than 400 employees across our Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver offices, and another 28,000 in our 150+ offices in 60-plus markets around the world, VML is here to deliver unparalleled global, and local, brand experience (BX), customer experience (CX) and retail commerce (CO) creative solutions for clients – all powered by deep data, marketing technology, and platform prowess.

The Resource Director is responsible for overseeing the allocation, management, and optimization of talent and resources across three offices in ENG and FR Canada. This role leads a team of resource managers who strategically resource Strategy, Studio, Production, and Tech, and is directly responsible for management of the Creative team in conjunction with the CCO. They ensure that  cross functional teams are staffed appropriately, projects are resourced efficiently, and talent development aligns with the company’s strategic goals. The Resource Director acts as a bridge between leadership, project/account management and executive stakeholders to ensure operational excellence and high-quality output. 

The ideal candidate has a human-centered approach to resource management, leading empathetically while also being process-driven. They don’t shy away from a challenge, curveballs don’t phase them, and they love solving complex puzzles.  They are organized, have a keen eye for detail, and can manage multiple projects, team members and diverse skillsets with ease. They can skillfully and strategically allocate resources, load level, prioritize and present solutions that align to the business needs. They understand the agency space and have worked across multiple channels from mass to commerce to digital. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Resource Planning & Allocation: 
  Develop and maintain resource plans to ensure optimal staffing for all creative projects, balancing workloads and timelines across teams. 

• Talent Management: 
  Identify skills gaps, forecast future resource needs, and collaborate with HR and recruitment teams to attract, retain, and develop top creative talent. 

• Project Resourcing: 
  Partner with project managers and creative leads to assign the right talent to the right projects, ensuring deadlines and quality standards are met. 

• Stakeholder Collaboration: 
  Liaise with local executive leadership to ensure new hire requests are submitted for approval centrally, aligning staffing decisions with organizational priorities. 

• Process Optimization: 
  Implement and refine resource management processes, tools, and systems to improve efficiency and transparency. 

• Performance Tracking: 
  Track and report on resource utilization, productivity, and project outcomes to inform leadership decisions. 

• Cross-Functional Coordination: 
  Work closely with strategy,  creative, , production, and tech teams to ensure smooth workflows and effective communication. 

• Vendor & Freelancer Management: 
  Source, negotiate, and manage relationships with external creative partners when internal resources are unavailable. 

• Awards Management:

Strategically map out yearly awards submissions, manage budgets, work with cross departmental teams to complete submissions, and oversee the submission of entries 

Qualifications 

• 10+ years of experience in creative resource management 

• Experience with managing a team of direct reports 

• Experience with awards management and execution 

• Proven track record of managing large, multi-disciplinary creative teams. 

• Strong understanding of creative processes in design, marketing, advertising, and production. 

• Excellent organizational, communication, and negotiation skills. 

• Proficiency in resource management tools and project management software. 

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. 

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers. 

VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn, and X. 

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