Divisional Vice President, Global Operations
Most companies claim to have the best people. We say to them, "Keep dreaming." Our people are second to none. They set us apart with their entrepreneurial spirit and ambition. They come to us from the likes of Amazon, Microsoft, Nordstrom, Starbucks and the sports world, bringing energy, bold ideas and a willingness to dive into the unfamiliar. It's our people that make BDA the top global Merchandise Agency to work for.
DVP Global Operations
Location & Relocation
- This role is based in Woodinville, WA and follows a 4-day onsite / 1-day remote hybrid schedule.
- We recognize the right leader may be located outside the Seattle area and are prepared to offer a comprehensive relocation package to support the move.
- The Woodinville location and onsite expectations are a requirement of the role and are not negotiable. Candidates must be willing to relocate within reasonable commuting distance of Woodinville if not already local.
- Given the seniority and impact of this position, regular in-person partnership with executive leadership and cross-functional teams is an important part of how this role operates.
About BDA
BDA brings the world’s biggest brands to life through promotional merchandise. Fortune 500 companies come to us to connect with their consumers on an emotional level. We create three-dimensional advertising that people invite into their homes, offices, cars, and classrooms allowing them to see, touch, and experience a brand in a way no other marketing can. We call it the Power of Merchandise.
Our culture is rooted in creativity, accountability, and collaboration. We take great pride in being a workplace that inspires teamwork and innovation while rewarding high achievement. With millions of branded items produced and delivered globally each year, BDA continues to set the standard for creativity, quality, and operational excellence in branded merchandise for the world’s most admired companies.
Position Summary
The Divisional Vice President, Global Operations is a strategic and results-oriented executive responsible for BDA’s Program Management, eCommerce Operations, Retail Operations, Client Implementations, and Acquisition Integration. This leader ensures the successful execution of client programs from implementation through ongoing delivery while driving operational excellence, financial performance, resource planning, scalability, and client satisfaction across the organization.
The DVP leads BDA’s approach to client implementations, ensuring new client programs, significant program changes, eCommerce solutions, processes, analytics, and other value-added services are effectively planned, coordinated, and transitioned into ongoing operations. The role also leads the operational integration of acquired businesses, working across functions to bring teams, processes, systems, and capabilities into BDA while maintaining business continuity and client service.
Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, the DVP partners closely with Client Services, New Business Development, Global Sourcing, Logistics, Compliance, Finance, Technology, Human Resources, and other functional leaders to align operational capabilities with business objectives and support BDA’s continued global growth.
This role is accountable for developing scalable processes, building high-performing teams, improving operational efficiency, strengthening cross-functional execution, and ensuring exceptional execution for clients across all channels and business segments.
The DVP regularly engages with clients in business reviews, strategic planning sessions, operational reviews, implementations, and new business opportunities, serving as a senior leader who connects client needs, business priorities, and operational execution.
Key Responsibilities
Operations Leadership & Execution
- Define and execute the operational strategy across Program Management, eCommerce Operations, Retail Operations, Client Implementations, and Acquisition Integration.
- Establish scalable operational processes, service standards, and performance metrics that drive efficiency, profitability, and client satisfaction.
- Develop organizational structures and operating models that support growth and evolving client needs.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, quality, automation, and operational excellence.
- Ensure alignment across Client Services, New Business Development, Global Sourcing, Logistics, Compliance, Finance, Technology, and other functions involved in client delivery.
- Drive operational readiness for client launches, retail programs, eCommerce initiatives, significant client program changes, acquisitions, and strategic growth opportunities.
- Establish clear ownership, handoffs, and accountability across functions to support consistent execution.
- Serve as a key member of the Operations leadership team and contribute to overall company strategy.
Leadership, People Development & Team Culture
- Lead, coach, and develop a multi-functional team across Program Management, eCommerce Operations, Retail Operations, Client Implementations, and Acquisition Integration.
- Establish a high-performing culture that blends creativity with operational discipline.
- Set and manage goals, KPIs, and talent development plans; ensure succession and capability building across all levels of the team.
- Develop strong leaders who can operate effectively across functions and manage complex client and business requirements.
- Foster an inclusive environment that encourages innovation, feedback, and professional growth.
Program Management & eCommerce Operations
- Lead the Program Management organization responsible for client execution, webstore operations, and overall program delivery.
- Oversee the successful launch, management, and optimization of client eCommerce platforms, company stores, and online merchandise programs.
- Establish best practices for project management, webstore implementation, inventory management, promotions, customer experience, and operational execution.
- Partner with Technology, Sales, Merchandising, and Logistics teams to ensure webstores are effectively maintained, optimized, and aligned with client objectives.
- Ensure client programs and eCommerce solutions are delivered on time, on budget, and in alignment with service level expectations.
- Monitor operational performance, site activity, inventory health, customer experience metrics, and program profitability.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on automation, scalability, digital commerce capabilities, and operational efficiency.
- Proactively manage operational risks, escalations, and service challenges across both traditional client programs and eCommerce platforms.
Client Implementations
- Lead BDA’s Client Implementation function and establish a consistent, scalable approach for implementing new clients, programs, services, and significant changes to existing client programs.
- Oversee implementations involving new client programs as well as changes to existing programs, including processes, eCommerce platforms, technology, services, analytics, reporting, and other value-added solutions.
- Establish implementation plans, milestones, ownership, dependencies, risk management, and escalation processes to ensure effective execution.
- Partner closely with Client Services and New Business Development to translate client requirements and commitments into clear, executable implementation plans.
- Coordinate across Technology, Finance, Global Sourcing, Logistics, Compliance, eCommerce, Program Management, and other functions to ensure operational readiness.
- Ensure appropriate resources, systems, processes, inventory, reporting, and support structures are in place prior to launch or transition.
- Establish effective handoffs from implementation into ongoing Program Management, Client Services, and operational ownership.
- Monitor implementation progress, risks, and outcomes and provide visibility to leadership on key milestones and issues.
- Identify recurring implementation challenges and continuously improve BDA’s implementation processes, tools, and approach.
- Ensure implementations are delivered on time, within agreed scope and financial expectations, and with minimal disruption to the client experience.
Acquisition Integration
- Lead the operational integration of acquired businesses in partnership with the COO, Executive Leadership Team, Human Resources, Finance, Technology, and functional leaders.
- Develop and execute integration plans with clear milestones, ownership, dependencies, risks, and measures of success.
- Assess acquired operating models, processes, systems, organizational structures, client delivery models, and capabilities to determine the appropriate integration approach.
- Coordinate cross-functional integration activities and ensure key decisions, dependencies, and deliverables remain visible and move forward on schedule.
- Partner with functional leaders to integrate processes, systems, reporting, workflows, and organizational responsibilities into BDA’s operating model.
- Maintain business continuity and client service throughout the integration process.
- Identify operational risks and resource requirements early and ensure appropriate mitigation plans are established.
- Balance the need for consistency and scalability with the preservation of valuable client relationships, capabilities, talent, and business practices.
- Identify opportunities to leverage acquired capabilities, expertise, and best practices across the broader BDA organization.
- Establish clear transition points from active integration into ongoing functional and operational ownership.
- Monitor integration progress and provide regular updates to the COO and Executive Leadership Team regarding milestones, risks, decisions, and opportunities.
Retail Operations
- Lead the operational strategy and execution of retail and...