Senior Manager, FRWD Talent and Operations

Senior Manager, FRWD Talent & Operations

Location: India or Australia

WHAT MAKES US A GREAT PLACE TO WORK

We are proud to be consistently recognized as one of the world's best places to work. We are currently the top ranked consulting firm on Glassdoor's Best Places to Work list and have earned the #1 overall spot a record seven times. Extraordinary teams are at the heart of our business strategy, but these don't happen by chance. They require intentional focus on bringing together a broad set of backgrounds, cultures, experiences, perspectives, and skills in a supportive and inclusive work environment. We hire people with exceptional talent and create an environment in which every individual can thrive professionally and personally. 

WHO YOU'LL WORK WITH

You'll join FRWD, Bain & Company's marketing acceleration capability. FRWD is a global community of expert practitioners who partner with clients and their agencies to drive meaningful business results and transformation.

Our teams help organizations make smarter marketing investments by bringing together expertise in creative strategy, media optimization, data science, and advertising technology. Working alongside Bain consulting teams, FRWD combines deep marketing expertise with strategic problem solving to help clients solve complex business challenges, test and scale new approaches, and build lasting capabilities.

FRWD works with many of the world's leading consumer brands, healthcare organizations, entertainment companies, and other industry leaders. Together, we help clients bridge the gap between marketing strategy and execution to deliver measurable impact.

WHERE YOU'LL FIT WITHIN THE TEAM

As Senior Manager, FRWD Talent & Operations, you will serve as a critical leader for FRWD across the Asia-Pacific region. Acting as the operational hub for the business, you will partner closely with senior stakeholders to drive regional strategy, commercial operations, staffing, professional development, and organizational effectiveness.

Reporting to the VP, FRWD Strategy & Operations, you will work closely with FRWD's regional leadership and broader Bain stakeholders to shape priorities, support business growth, and ensure exceptional experiences for both clients and team members. This role offers a unique opportunity to operate as a general manager within a growing, entrepreneurial business at Bain.

WHAT YOU'LL DORegional Strategy & Operations

• Partner with senior leaders across FRWD and Bain to help shape and execute FRWD's strategy across APAC.
• Manage the regional business pipeline, supporting opportunity development, case scoping, and commercial planning.
• Identify growth opportunities, capability needs, and operational improvements, developing plans to address them.
• Maintain reporting and analytics to support business decision-making and performance management.

Staffing & Resource Management

• Partner with leadership teams to scope client work and build effective project teams.
• Develop staffing plans that balance business priorities with individual professional development goals.
• Monitor team capacity and utilization, providing insights that inform commercial and staffing decisions.
• Support resolution of staffing and case delivery challenges as they arise.

Talent Development & Performance Management

• Help build a high-performing team culture by supporting career development and professional growth.
• Partner with leaders to design and enhance learning, training, and development programs.
• Support performance management processes, including reviews, calibration discussions, and promotions.
• Partner with advisors and leaders to address performance concerns and develop action plans when needed.

Team Experience & Continuous Improvement

• Facilitate onboarding and project start-up discussions to establish effective ways of working.
• Support case retrospectives and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
• Monitor team feedback and engagement data to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborate with regional and global stakeholders to enhance team and business effectiveness.

Strategic Projects

• Support global strategy and operations initiatives across FRWD.
• Partner with regional leadership to deliver priority projects and business initiatives across APAC.

ABOUT YOURequired Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• 7+ years of professional services experience, including talent management, people leadership, or operations responsibilities.
• Experience leading high-performing, cross-functional teams.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to navigate complex organizational challenges.
• Excellent project management, planning, and organizational capabilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and people development experience.
• High degree of professionalism, judgment, and stakeholder management capability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Consulting experience.
• Experience in talent management within a professional services environment.
• Familiarity with marketing, advertising, or related industries.
• Master's degree.

Working Model

This role requires regular in-office presence in accordance with Bain's local office expectations.