EVP-Career-Ladder-Digital-03

CAREER
LADDERS
FINANCE
PLANNING
ACCOUNTS
DIGITAL
CREATIVE
DESIGN
STUDIO
SPRING 2017

CAREER
LADDERS
FINANCE
PLANNING
ACCOUNTS
DIGITAL
CREATIVE
We want everyone at Initials to have
as long and successful a career here as
possible. A lot of that is down to you and
how you perform, but we want to give you
as much help and guidance as we can.
Choose the career ladder that is relevant
to you and use it as a framework to help
you progress and climb through the ranks.
They are only a guide, but hopefully you
can use them to fit in with your own
aspirations and ambitions.
DESIGN
STUDIO

DIGITAL
CAREER
LADDERS
PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND ORGANISATION
DIGITAL
DEPARTMENT
HEAD
PROJECT
DIRECTOR
• Can demonstrate a methodical approach to their work, deliver against deadlines, prepare thoroughly for all meetings and
show good attention to detail
• Demonstrates the ability to input into risk analysis documents / be solution focused
• Can contribute to project scope, resource and cost estimate documents
• Can deal with any specific issues or queries as briefed
• Demonstrates the ability to think, plan ahead and so preempt issues in advance
• Demonstrates a willingness to help and constantly improve the way we work with the ultimate aim of delivering a best
in class product
• Demonstrates a willingness to help others, support their team and show good initiative
• Highlights any concerns to their line manager so they can be addressed
• Demonstrates a collaborative and team focused approach to their work
BUSINESS /TECHNICAL AWARENESS
SENIOR
PROJECT
MANAGER
• Can input into specific elements of a technical brief with support
• Works with the Project Manager on definition of development requirements and priorities
• Is adept at content publishing using content management systems
• Can report on progress/issues to team
• Can input on technical requirements related to projects
• Can research key client sectors and provide relevant outputs
COMMERCIAL SKILLS
PROJECT
MANAGER
• Can demonstrate an understanding of how the company makes money and how their actions can help
• Supports the team on new business pitches as required
• Demonstrates an ability to build relationships externally
• Works with the team to identify new business opportunities
• Demonstrates the ability to monitor time and expense against key jobs
CLIENT SERVICE
JUNIOR
PROJECT
MANAGER
• Can demonstrate a can do and professional approach so their clients feel they are working hard for them
• Have built a rapport and professional working relationship with their clients
• Demonstrates an understanding of our process for client / internal sign off and has an audit trail to reflect this
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
• Can articulate their opinion both verbally and in writing
• Can contribute to relevant sections in meetings and discussions
• Can listen to opinions and demonstrate an ability to be solution focused
• Are open, and treat people with respect
CULTURE AND VALUES
• Can demonstrate tangible results of living and breathing the company values every day
• Makes a positive impact every day

DIGITAL
CAREER
LADDERS
PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND ORGANISATION
DIGITAL
DEPARTMENT
HEAD
PROJECT
DIRECTOR
• Can lead and deliver the projects they are responsible for, albeit with manager guidance (across range of formats - websites;
e-mail; banner advertising, apps)
• Demonstrates foresight to analyse risks that could affect the delivery of a project and develop a plan to mitigate against these
• Can work with line manager to define project scope, resource requirements and cost estimates
• Demonstrates day to day management of supplier staff assigned to the project
• Can think, plan ahead and so preempt issues in advance
• Demonstrates a willingness to constantly improve the way we work with the ultimate aim of delivering a best in class product
• Demonstrates a willingness to help others, support their team and show good initiative
• Recognises and discusses areas of professional development that inspires them with their line manager
• Demonstrates a collaborative and team focused approach to their work
BUSINESS /TECHNICAL AWARENESS
SENIOR
PROJECT
MANAGER
• Can write and deliver a good technical brief based on project deliverables
• Performs a high-level assessment of the technical and non-technical requirements of the project
• Has a thorough understanding of content publishing using content management systems
• Escalates relevant issues to team / senior members
• Can gather technical requirements & complete a work breakdown structure
• Can demonstrate knowledge of the markets their clients operate in
COMMERCIAL SKILLS
PROJECT
MANAGER
• Can demonstrate day to day control of all their jobs from a financial perspective and be able to explain to their manager the
status at any time
• Can highlight potential new opportunities from existing clients and convert with support
• Can react to changes in scope / problems, provide solutions and protect the profitability of jobs
• Can identify potential new income streams for Initials
• Demonstrates an understanding of and has an ability to, create financial reports including entry and maintenance of all actual
time and expense against the job
JUNIOR
PROJECT
MANAGER
CLIENT SERVICE
• Demonstrates a can do and professional approach with clients allowing them to gain confidence in you and Initials
• Can demonstrate they have met their clients expectations and are now beginning to demonstrate their own thinking
• Delivers against our process for client / internal sign off and has an audit trail to reflect this
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
• Can articulate their opinion both verbally and in writing
• Can contribute to relevant sections in meetings and discussions
• Can listen to opinions and demonstrates an ability to be solution focused
• Are open, and treat people with respect
CULTURE AND VALUES
• Can demonstrate tangible results of living and breathing the company values every day
• Makes a positive impact every day

DIGITAL
CAREER
LADDERS
PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND ORGANISATION
DIGITAL
DEPARTMENT
HEAD
PROJECT
DIRECTOR
• Can independently manage and deliver large jobs and/or multiple smaller jobs to deliver against brand / business objectives
on time and in budget (websites, banner advertising, e-mails, apps etc)
• Demonstrates foresight to analyse risks that could affect the delivery of a project and develop a plan to mitigate against this
& escalate where required
• Can work efficiently with colleagues and 3rd parties to define project scope, resource requirements and cost estimates
• Leads the relationship with suppliers on key projects
• Can coordinate actions with all other team members, prioritise and juggle demands as necessary
• Demonstrates a willingness to constantly improve the way we work with the ultimate aim of delivering a best in class product
• Can give clear briefings, lead the team by example and inspire trust and confidence
• Demonstrate that they have actively managed their direct reports and their Initials ‘Fulfilling Career Path’ plan is in
place and on track
• Recognises the individual strengths of their colleagues and aspires to learn from them
• Demonstrates their input into building a collaborative, team focused and results orientated working environment
BUSINESS /TECHNICAL AWARENESS
SENIOR
PROJECT
MANAGER
• Can consistently write and deliver an exceptional technical brief based on project deliverables
• Documents and analyses current and future processes/systems
• Demonstrates the ability to train and use various content management systems
• Has awareness of the technical strategy of projects & products
• Can create detailed breakdown of tasks & sprint dependencies
• Can demonstrate their client, market and industry knowledge to good effect
PROJECT
MANAGER
COMMERCIAL SKILLS
• Can regularly maximise the profitability of all of their jobs both from a time and cost perspective
• Can identify & convert (with support) new business opportunities from existing clients
• Can react to changes in scope / problems, provide solutions and protect the profitability of jobs
• Can identify potential new income streams for Initials and work with their line manager to convert them
• Produces and monitors financial reports including entry and maintenance of all actual time and expense against the job
JUNIOR
PROJECT
MANAGER
CLIENT SERVICE
• Can demonstrate an increased level of value to the client relationship
• Can demonstrate they have met / exceeded their clients expectations in terms of delivery and started to be respected
as a trusted advisor
• Deliver against our process for client / internal sign off and have an audit trail to reflect this
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
• Can articulate their opinion, both verbally and in writing, externally and internally
• Can present work with growing confidence to their colleagues and contribute relevant sections to client meetings
• Can listen to opinions, discuss and come to a mutually beneficial solution
• Are open, and treat people with respect
CULTURE AND VALUES
• Can demonstrate tangible results of living and breathing the company values every day
• Makes a positive impact every day

DIGITAL
CAREER
LADDERS
PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND ORGANISATION
DIGITAL
DEPARTMENT
HEAD
PROJECT
DIRECTOR
• Manages and inspires their team to deliver large jobs against business objectives on time and in budget (websites, banner
advertising, e-mails, apps etc)
• Demonstrates the ability to initiate changes in methodologies / processes to maximise efficiencies and profitability
• Leads and inspires colleagues and 3rd parties to define project scope, resource requirements and cost estimates
• Quality assures the work of supplier staff assigned to the project
• Can organise plan and delegate the right level of work for their team as well as prioritise and juggle demands as necessary
• Demonstrates a willingness to constantly improve the way we work with the ultimate aim of delivering a best in class product
• Demonstrates that they have actively managed their direct reports and that their Initials ‘Fulfilling Career Path’ plan is in place
and on track
• Utilises the individual strengths of colleagues and nurtures development of direct reports if applicable
• Delivers an inspiring environment and work ethic, thus inspiring trust and confidence
BUSINESS /TECHNICAL AWARENESS
SENIOR
PROJECT
MANAGER
• Demonstrates expertise on key technical aspects / delivery solutions to ensure a clear framework for all briefs is in place
• Reviews and approves project documentations: SOWs & budgets
• Contributes to requirements for reporting and interfacing
• Contributes to technical strategy of projects & products
• Can demonstrate how to prioritise project goals with other ongoing projects
• Demonstrates an in depth knowledge of their client, the market and industry it works in, including up to date trends
COMMERCIAL SKILLS
PROJECT
MANAGER
JUNIOR
PROJECT
MANAGER
• Can demonstrate understanding of the financial position of all jobs they are responsible for and instill similar rigorous
good practice in to their team
• Can identify & convert new business opportunities from existing clients and represent the digital offering and or
opinion at external events
• Can educate the team and react to changes in scope / problems, provide solutions and protect the profitability of jobs
• Can deliver additional income streams from Initials’ clients
• Produces and monitors financial reports including entry and maintenance of all actual time and expense against the master
plan and input the team P&L
CLIENT SERVICE
• Has demonstrated the ability to identify and nurture a working relationship with more senior clients and built relationships
with key suppliers
• Can add value to the client as a trusted advisor
• Demonstrates a clear process for client / internal sign off and has an audit trail to reflect this
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
• Can articulate their opinion, both verbally and in writing, externally and internally, demonstrating the ability to impact
change when required
• Can present work internally and to clients with confidence, and liaise with suppliers as required
• Can listen to opinions, discuss and give clear guidelines on their decisions
• Are open, and treat people with respect
CULTURE AND VALUES
• Can demonstrate tangible results of living and breathing the company values every day
• Makes a positive impact every day

DIGITAL
CAREER
LADDERS
PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND ORGANISATION
DIGITAL
DEPARTMENT
HEAD
PROJECT
DIRECTOR
• Leads the department to deliver complex/bespoke jobs against business objectives on time and in budget
(websites, banner advertising, e-mails, apps etc)
• Leads and approves changes in methodologies / processes to maximise efficiencies and profitability
• Provides guidance and counsel on project scope, resource requirements and cost estimates
• Ensures resolution of issues escalated by the Project Team
• Can organise plan and delegate the workload of the department and colleagues to maximise efficiencies
• Demonstrates that everyone in their department has a ‘Fulfilling Career Path’ plan in place are well supported and highly
engaged with the business
• Demonstrates a willingness to constantly improve the way we work with the ultimate aim of delivering a best in class product
• Provides a clear team structure that allows the individual strengths of them to be utilised while performance issues are
addressed and rectified
• Creates an inspiring environment and ethic, thus inspiring trust and confidence
• Demonstrates a leadership approach that allows the extraordinary to flourish
BUSINESS /TECHNICAL AWARENESS
SENIOR
PROJECT
MANAGER
• Leads and inspires team on key technical aspects / delivery solutions to ensure a clear framework for all briefs
• Leads decision on effective use of supplier resources within an approved budget
• Defines requirements for bespoke reporting and interfacing
• Leads decisions on bespoke technical strategy of projects & products
• Prioritises department goals with other ongoing projects
• Demonstrates expertise of their client and the market it works in, including up to date trends
PROJECT
MANAGER
COMMERCIAL SKILLS
• Can demonstrate an understanding of the commercial effectiveness of the department and instill similar rigorous good
practice in to them
• Can run a digital business itch process effectively and represent the digital offering and or opinion at external events
• Can provide guidance, counsel and solutions to protect the profitability of all the jobs in their team
• Can deliver additional income streams from Initials’ clients / new clients
• Can effectively manage their departments P&L (short and longer term)
JUNIOR
PROJECT
MANAGER
CLIENT SERVICE
• Is a trusted advisor / technical innovator to their clients
• Demonstrates an ability to influence agendas and build relationships with key suppliers
• Gains the trust and respect of their day to day and senior clients and internal stakeholders
• Sets a clear process for client / internal sign off for the department to follow and has a clear audit trail
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
• Can talk freely, professionally and competently with key stakeholders internally and externally
• Can present inspiring creative solutions to key stakeholders internally and externally with confidence
• Can handle difficult conversations tactfully and honestly
• Can listen to opinions, discuss and give clear guidelines on their decisions
• Are open, and treat people with respect
CULTURE AND VALUES
• Can demonstrate tangible results of living and breathing the company values every day
• Makes a positive impact every day