Karen Longfield

• Lead end-to-end program delivery across a diverse portfolio of creative packaging and design work valued at $10M–$20M+.

• Partner with Client Service, Strategy, and Creative excellence, commercial efficiency, and creative
output.
• Conduct monthly Project meetings and MORs to review client-level margins, utilization, and billings; oversee Statement of Work
(SOW) approvals and portfolio-wide acceptance criteria.
• Drive a culture of accountability and collaboration, mentoring Project Managers and ensuring alignment between Project Management
and Client Services teams.
• Champion high-quality deliverables by implementing project controls, QA gates, and workflow improvements that protect the creative
and strategic output.
• Oversee talent planning across the global bench, managing freelance engagement and LCM (lifecycle management) costs.
• Build and maintain standardized processes and tools, reinforcing a structured, scalable approach to programme delivery.
• Represent the portfolio internally and externally, mitigating risk, solving problems, and acting as a central point of escalation for key client issues.

• Leads, mentors, and develops a team of project managers to ensure efficient project delivery, and to ensure that Marks. processes are adhered to.
• Had dashboards created in Scoro for Team Leads to be proactive about utilization and capacity, rather than reactive to the Monthly Utilization reports.
• Conducts regular check ins for goals (performance reviews)
• Fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability within the team.
• Serves as an escalation point for project-related issues and provide guidance to resolve them.
• Empathetic leader who empowers and motivates teams to achieve excellence.
• Oversees the planning, execution, and delivery of large-scale and complex projects, ensuring alignment with business goals. (Albertsons, Topco, Target, Sobey’s)
• Ensures that all projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Acts as the primary point of contact for key stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and expectation setting.
• Collaborates with internal teams to understand project objectives and timing (I meet with client service leaders once a month to ensure Ops teams are aware of incoming work to plan resources)
• Develops, implement, and continuously improve project management processes - Topco, Wakefern, Target
• Ensures adherence to best practices, processes, and company standards across all projects managers.
• Involved in the implementation of large scale programs such as Cytiva, Gerber, Topco, Sobeys, Albertsons
• Conducts 'Quality Incident' investigations by analyzing file errors, identifying root causes, and implementing corrective actions to prevent future issues.
• Allocates PM resources efficiently across multiple projects and ensure the team is optimally utilized. Tracked and reviewed by using metrics from Scoro.
• Leading the onboarding of the PM team on collaboration with the Mumbai studio, empowering PMs to identify and allocate appropriate tasks to optimize resource utilization.
• Effectively matches team members' skillsets with project needs to build high-performing teams, ensuring optimal alignment of talent with project goals.
• Leads interviews and selection process for recruiting new Project Managers, ensuring alignment with team needs.
• Collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to ensure project goals are met
• Facilitates clear communication between teams to ensure alignment on project goals and deliverables.
• Leadership and Team Management
• Strategic Project Oversight
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Process Improvement
• Resource Allocation
• Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Provided leadership to a group of 12 Project Managers, oversaw client projects across accounts, mentored Project Managers on my team, and ensured project delivery on time, within scope, and budget. Created training and onboarding program for new hires, and assisted in recruitment talent.
• Led and mentored a team of Project Managers. Conducted regular 1:1 meetings, provided performance reviews, feedback, and opportunities for career growth.
• Participated in conducting interviews to recruit talent to the PM team
• Matched team members' skillsets with project needs to build high-performing teams, ensuring optimal alignment of talent with project goals.
• Developed comprehensive onboarding and training materials for new Project Managers, creating a structured week-long program with daily activities where none previously existed.
• Managed a variety of client projects, ensuring quality, deadline adherence, and budget control. Implemented and optimized project workflows. (ie: Cytiva, Gerber Elixir 2.0 redesign, GE)
• Served as the communication hub between clients, Client Services, and internal teams (Creative, Design, Content, Studio). Fostered collaboration to meet project goals.
• Identified and implemented improvements to project management processes, enhancing team efficiency and workflow. (Cytiva, Gerber, GE)
• Managed resource allocation, working with studio operations to ensure proper talent deployment and workload management.
• Assisted with solidifying Internship program and set the standards to ensure junior talent was properly coached and mentored.
• Oversaw projects from start to finish, ensuring adherence to quality, budget, and timelines.
• Managed packaging artwork development, including design, production and release of artwork files
• Tracked project progress, resolved issues, and maintained comprehensive documentation.
• Adjusted project scope, timelines, and collaborated with Client Services with any 'scope creep'.
• Led project briefings, QA, and post-mortem meetings, ensuring seamless communication and execution.
• Position Overview
• Project Leadership
• Project-Specific Responsibilities

• Managed package design projects from design concepting to release, ensuring best in class quality.
• Assessed incoming materials from clients and design firms for accuracy, including printer specifications, copy decks, dielines, and images.
• Reviewed proofs and files to ensure accuracy before client/printer release, maintaining the highest quality standards.
• Oversaw the approval circulation of client proofs and files, streamlining approval processes.
• Updated, tracked, and communicated project status to clients, proactively following up on key milestones.
• Identified and communicated workflow issues, contributing to enhanced operational efficiency.
• Ensured recovery of charges for work performed outside of scope, maximizing project profitability.

• Appraised artworks to assess eligibility for art financing, ensuring accurate valuations that align with financial requirements.
• Oversaw and managed all aspects of art loans, including negotiation, coordination, and documentation to facilitate seamless transactions.
• Provided strategic advisory services for art acquisitions and sales, offering expert guidance to clients and corporate collectors. Negotiate high-value sales with artists and clients.
• Led the cataloging and maintenance of corporate art collections, ensuring meticulous documentation and organization of all pieces.
• Conducted comprehensive research to identify potential acquisitions and sales opportunities, including market analysis and valuation trends.
• Collaborated in the creation and execution of marketing materials related to Art Finance and sales, driving visibility and engagement for art portfolios.
• Structured, negotiated, and managed art sales projects from inception to completion, ensuring successful outcomes for artists and clients.

• Spearheaded art sales, engaging with clients to build relationships and close high-value transactions.
• Oversaw daily operations of a 4,500 sq. ft. professional exhibition space, ensuring seamless functioning of all gallery activities, including exhibition setup, maintenance, and client visits.
• Managed and curated Gallery One’s permanent collection, ensuring the careful conservation, cataloging, and presentation of all works.
• Curated and coordinated exhibitions, from concept to execution, including liaising with artists, designing displays, and organizing opening events to attract clients and art collectors.