Print Production Manager

Aquent is thrilled to partner with a pioneering financial services organization that is transforming how millions achieve financial well-being. This industry leader is dedicated to empowering individuals and institutions worldwide through innovative solutions and an unwavering commitment to client success. Joining this forward-thinking team means contributing to a mission that profoundly impacts people's lives, driving initiatives that shape the future of financial stability and prosperity.

Are you a master of integrated production, driven by a keen eye for detail and a passion for transforming creative visions into tangible realities? We are seeking a dynamic and highly organized professional to step into a pivotal role within a vibrant team. Here, you won't just manage projects; you'll be the driving force behind immersive brand experiences, ensuring every piece of communication, from physical print to digital displays, not only meets the highest quality standards but also captivates audiences and reinforces brand integrity. Your expertise will directly influence the success of critical marketing campaigns, optimize budgets for maximum impact, and bring innovative ideas from concept to fruition, making a significant difference in how the organization connects with its vast client base.

What You'll Do

• Partner closely with Brand, Marketing, Creative, Digital, and Media teams to strategize and execute integrated production across all channels, ensuring strict adherence to established brand standards.
• Develop and meticulously maintain comprehensive integrated production plans, encompassing scopes, estimates, schedules, key milestones, and dependencies, proactively identifying and resolving potential risks to keep all projects on track.
• Oversee seamless cross-channel delivery and manage all asset handoffs, including defining specifications, enforcing naming conventions, managing version control, and preparing final file packages for timely launches and frictionless trafficking to platforms and partners.
• Establish and enforce rigorous integrated Quality Assurance (QA) standards across diverse formats, meticulously covering critical aspects such as color accuracy, typography, accessibility, functional testing, proofing, and preflight checks, ensuring all deliverables meet brand, legal, compliance, and channel-specific requirements.
• Manage crucial relationships with external production partners, including studios, retouchers, developers, printers, and fulfillment vendors, handling Statements of Work (SOWs), competitive bids, usage rights, and deliverable acceptance, all while relentlessly driving cost efficiency without compromising quality.
• Collaborate effectively with Creative Directors, Designers, and outside vendors to guide complex projects from their initial conception through to successful, impactful fruition.
• Develop and lead comprehensive promotional strategies for new product launches, seasonal campaigns, and overarching brand initiatives across a diverse array of communication channels.
• Continuously monitor competitive trends and industry best practices to inform, evolve, and inspire innovative, cutting-edge promotional strategies.
• Work closely with external vendors to expertly engineer projects, advising design and production teams on optimal file construction and delivery specifics, skillfully negotiating costs, and ensuring material quality before final delivery.
• Manage substantial production budgets, providing internal partners with clear, actionable budgetary options related to various design deliverables.
• Manage precise project specifications for a wide range of deliverables, aligning internal and external schedules to consistently meet all critical delivery milestones.
• Develop and meticulously track all production timelines for internal partners, expertly coordinating diverse deliverables with external print vendors, and actively implementing strategic cost-saving measures.
• Act as the ultimate owner of production QA, meticulously managing every element, including file construction integrity, image quality, resolution, color fidelity, font usage, paper stock selection, design construction precision, mailing logistics, and fulfillment processes.
• Maintain a deep and current understanding of all vendors and their unique capabilities, effectively assessing vendor pools to conduct thorough competitive bid analyses.
• Collaborate strategically with vendors to develop sophisticated template design programming for on-demand, personalized content generation.
• Serve as the resident expert in Direct Mail practices and constraints, possessing a profound understanding of the intricate connection between data files and variable content rendered via XML transfer.

What You'll Bring

Must-Have Qualifications:

• 2-5+ years of dedicated professional experience managing print production, gained either within a dynamic agency environment or as part of an internal design team.
• Proven experience working effectively and collaboratively with creative staff and studio production teams.
• Familiarity with creative workflow management systems such as Workfront or Basecamp.
• Ability to comprehend complex file construction and proficiently utilize Adobe PDF preview for detailed inspections.
• Fluency in Adobe Creative Suite, including the ability to competently create or revise native files and expertly craft or modify PowerPoint decks.
• Demonstrated experience working on projects that involve multiple third parties, whether from the client or vendor side.
• Expertise in writing comprehensive Production Specifications that accurately translate intricate file information into precise, actionable production instructions.
• Solid knowledge of purchasing specifics, including accurately figuring unit costs and calculating the financial impact of change requests.
• Working knowledge of procurement systems such as Peoplesoft or Ariba, or other comparable purchasing instruments.
• Strong understanding of Direct Mail best practices and all relevant Postal Regulations.
• Ability to accurately estimate production times based upon detailed specifications and required quantities.
• Exceptional attention to detail and the proven ability to perform effectively and maintain composure under pressure in fast-paced environments.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications:

• In-depth knowledge of various paper types, stocks, weights, and coatings, along with the ability to anticipate visual outcomes based on specific ink configurations and printing processes.