NielsenIQ is hiring an Associate Manager (Operational Excellence & Expenses)

The Associate Manager (Operational Excellence & Expenses) is responsible for leading vendor expense management, T&E payment processing, project execution, and administrative back-office operations across multiple countries. This role ensures end-to-end execution, governance, and continuous improvement of operational processes in line with SOPs, SLAs, and local requirements, while driving standardization, automation, and delivery excellence across the HUB. Key Responsibilities 1. Operations & Execution - Oversee projects and administrative back-office activities in alignment with SOPs and SLAs - Ensure timely execution of vendor payments and country-level deliverables - Manage end-to-end T&E payments and advances for FTEs, freelancers, and part-time field associates - Ensure smooth execution and control of collection services post HUB go-live - Maintain operational governance and quality across all countries 2. Vendor & Process Management - Lead a team managing vendor engagement and delivery processes - Develop deep understanding of: - Vendor services, requirements, and exceptions - Country-specific processes and timelines - T&E processes and payment workflows - Ensure effective coordination with HUB and delivery teams 3. Stakeholder Management - Engage with country stakeholders, vendors and internal teams - Conduct regular governance and engagement local finance teams calls - Identify pain points and implement simplified, scalable solutions - Ensure all deliverables meet SLA and timeline commitments 4. Team Leadership - Lead, coach, and develop a team of back-office and vendor management resources - Conduct regular performance, engagement, and training sessions - Foster a culture of accountability, integrity, and high performance - Drive employee engagement and capability development 5. Process Excellence & Continuous Improvement - Identify and drive process optimization and automation opportunities - Lead continuous improvement initiatives across operations - Standardize processes across countries where feasible - Support transformation initiatives and efficiency programs 6. Risk & Issue Management - Monitor country-level exceptions, risks, and dependencies - Stay aware of vendor, T&E, and operational challenges - Proactively anticipate, escalate, and resolve issues with leadership - Ensure operational stability and compliance Role Requirements Education & Experience - Bachelor’s degree (preferred fields: Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Operations, Engineering, Statistics, or related) - 8+ years of professional experience (preferably in market research/operations) - Minimum 5 years of people management experience Skills & Competencies - Strong communication, presentation, and influencing skills - High proficiency in Business English (additional languages are a plus) - Strong analytical mindset and ability to work with data - Excellent stakeholder and organizational skills - Ability to work in a fast-paced, multi-country environment - Results-driven with continuous improvement focus - High level of professional maturity and resilience Technical & Functional Expertise - Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite - Experience with data analysis and reporting tools - Good understanding of operational metrics and performance tracking - Knowledge of: - Field Audit Methodology (preferred) - CDAR tools and processes (preferred) - Product knowledge (preferred) Additional Attributes - Strong business acumen - High integrity and adherence to company values - Ability to engage, develop, and grow talent - Multi-country market knowledge (preferred) - Technically savvy with a transformation and automation mindset Success Metrics - SLA adherence and on-time delivery - Vendor and stakeholder satisfaction - Process standardization and efficiency gains - Team performance and engagement - Continuous improvement and automation impact We offer: - Food vouchers € 62 - Additional Medical Insurance, incl Prophylactics, Outpatient care, Inpatient care, expenses for medications and medical products - Life Insurance - Multisport card (self-funded by the employee) - A Hybrid model of working: 3 days of the week you work from home (home office), 2 days from the office. - Additional paid leave of 3 days in case of no overdue leave days from previous year - Free access to LinkedIn Learning platform In addition: - Working in an international organization, once you become a specialist in your field, you can count on numerous programs offering development or relocation to other departments or countries. Your development is important to us! - Stable employment in a dynamic and international environment with an established position on the market. - Volunteer time off (Global Volunteer Day) - Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – confidential counselling for emotional well-being - Office located close to the city center, easily accessible by public transportation All documents will be treated in the strictest confidentiality. Only short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview.