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Workforce Planning Manager

SmartBug Media is the full-service digital agency of choice for organizations looking to

create resilient growth across the entire customer lifecycle, with a strong focus on the

HubSpot ecosystem. From marketing to sales, revenue operations to customer success,

and e-commerce to integration, SmartBug combines sound strategies and technology with

top talent to help clients set the course for continued success. Recognized globally,

we've made the Inc. 5000 list seven times, the Adweek 100 four years running, and won

numerous Comparably awards for our culture and leadership. We're not just HubSpot's

highest-rated partner worldwide but also a two-time HubSpot North American

Partner of the Year and proud Elite Partner. SmartBug is also a proud Google

Premier Partner.


The Workforce Planning Manager will play a strategic role in ensuring our  professional services teams have the right people, with the right skills, at the right time. The Workforce Planning Manager will be responsible for forecasting workforce needs, managing resource allocation, and ensuring alignment between business objectives and workforce capabilities. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in workforce planning and forecasting, resource allocation, data analysis, continuous improvement, and project management. In this role the Workforce Planning Manager will collaborate closely with leadership and cross-functional teams.



What You’ll Do: 


Workforce Planning & Forecasting

- Lead the development of workforce resource plans to meet short, mid and long term business objectives

- Forecast staffing needs, considering growth projections, seasonality, employee churn, absenteeism, and other variability

- Collaborate with leadership, finance, and HR to ensure workforce resource plans are in budget, providing recommendations for adjustments based on current and/or forecasted resource needs

- Provide coaching and support to leaders and managers on workforce planning and best practices


Resource Allocation 

- Ensure effective allocation of talent across departments, projects and strategic initiatives

- Partner with leadership, department heads, and HR to ensure the right resources are deployed effectively and efficiently 

- Create skills inventories of current employees to identify opportunities for optimizing existing resources, upskilling or reskilling needs, and/or hiring needs to align people resources with evolving business needs 

- Conduct regular follow-ups with employees regarding their workload and adjust the forecast accordingly to ensure maximized capacity to support company work

- In collaboration with the HubSpot and CRM Practice Manager, assign projects in a way that allows resources to meet their goals

- Facilitate regular meetings with department heads and executives to proactively address resource allocation challenges and needs


Data Analysis 

- Analyze workforce data to create meaningful dashboards actionable plans 

- Develop and utilize analytics to create predictive staffing needs and identify resource and skills gaps  

- Manage and monitor billable hours and productivity targets for professional services teams

- Provide regular capacity and resource utilization reports to senior management, offering actionable insights and recommendations

- Supervise global reporting and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) for the team, providing insights to leadership


Continuous Improvement


-Optimize billable hours 

-Monitor effectiveness of resource planning processes, making improvements for greater efficiency and impact 

-Stay up-to-date on best practices, tools, and trends Maintain and optimize templates/tools necessary for the planning process


Project Management


-Oversee transition from current, manual workforce management process to sophisticated, technology-driven solution Lead research, selection, and implementation of a professional services workforce capacity and billable hours management tool.

- Lead and coordinate resource planning projects 

- Manage competing priorities and deadlines in a fast paced environment

- Key contributor/workstream owner on change management initiatives such as acquisitions and other organizational changes 

-Serve as the central point of contact between sales and production to ensure strategic alignment, communicate operational changes to the team

-Oversee the onboarding and offboarding of team members and provide operational support in relevant systems


Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Finance, or a related field.
  • 10+ years of experience in workforce management, resource planning, or operations within a professional services/ agency environment.
  • Proven experience implementing and managing resource planning software/tools.
  • Strong analytical skills with proficiency in data visualization and reporting.
  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to effectively liaise with stakeholders at all organizational levels.
  • Ability to strategically analyze complex issues and propose actionable solutions.
  • Demonstrated capability in managing multiple initiatives simultaneously and meeting tight deadlines.


Personal Qualifications:
  • Proactive and positive individual thriving in fast-paced environments, focused on Rocking It for the Customer.
  • Highly analytical, organized, and detail-oriented professional capable of managing multiple priorities independently.
  • Innovative thinker demonstrating initiative and creativity in data-driven solutions, pursuing growth and learning.
  • Critically thinks and problem-solves with an agile and resilient mindset.
  • Motivates and develops team members and others, contributing to building belonging and growth.
  • Self-disciplined and self-motivated, with excellent work habits, reliability, and a consistent commitment to meeting deadlines and achieving objectives.


Benefits and Perks:
  • Health insurance with company contribution
  • Paid maternity and paternity leave
  • Paid time off and sick time
  • 4 week paid sabbatical every 5 years of employment
  • Winter Closure December 25th - January 1st
  • Monthly remote work allowance
  • 401(k) with employer matching
  • Flexible spend planCompany-funded short-term disability and life insurance
  • Long-term disabilityTraining budget
  • The flexibility of working remotely
  • MacBook Air issued to you at time of hire


$125,000 - $130,000 a year
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Average salary estimate

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What You Should Know About Workforce Planning Manager, SmartBug Media

Join SmartBug Media as a Workforce Planning Manager and take the reins in shaping our team's success! As a full-service digital agency recognized globally, we pride ourselves on helping our clients thrive across their entire customer lifecycle. In this pivotal role, you'll be responsible for strategizing workforce planning and forecasting, ensuring that our professional services teams are equipped with the right talent at the right time. With your experience in workforce management, you will lead the charge in analyzing staffing needs against growth projections and variability factors such as absenteeism. Collaborating closely with leadership and HR, you'll develop resource plans that align with our business objectives while staying within budget. Your analytical skills will shine as you create dashboards that provide actionable insights for optimizing talent allocation. We’re looking for a proactive individual who thrives in fast-paced environments and is passionate about continuous improvement. With generous benefits, including a competitive salary and a flexible work environment, SmartBug Media is committed to building a culture where you can grow and succeed. Let's create positive, impactful solutions together!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Workforce Planning Manager Role at SmartBug Media
What are the main responsibilities of the Workforce Planning Manager at SmartBug Media?

As the Workforce Planning Manager at SmartBug Media, your primary responsibilities will include forecasting staffing needs, managing resource allocation, and aligning workforce capabilities with business objectives. You'll lead the development of workforce resource plans while collaborating with department heads and HR to optimize talent across the organization.

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What qualifications are needed for the Workforce Planning Manager position at SmartBug Media?

To excel as the Workforce Planning Manager at SmartBug Media, you should possess a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field. Additionally, having over 10 years of experience in workforce management and strong analytical skills will be beneficial. Familiarity with implementing resource planning software is also a key requirement.

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How does the Workforce Planning Manager contribute to continuous improvement at SmartBug Media?

In the role of Workforce Planning Manager, you will monitor and enhance resource planning processes, ensuring maximum efficiency and impact. By analyzing workforce data, you'll identify areas for improvement and implement best practices, keeping SmartBug Media at the forefront of operational excellence.

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Is remote work an option for the Workforce Planning Manager role at SmartBug Media?

Yes! SmartBug Media offers a flexible remote work environment for the Workforce Planning Manager position. This allows you to work from anywhere in the United States while collaborating with colleagues and contributing to our clients' successes.

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What benefits does SmartBug Media offer to the Workforce Planning Manager?

As a Workforce Planning Manager at SmartBug Media, you will enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, 401(k) with matching, paid maternity and paternity leave, and a four-week paid sabbatical every five years. Plus, you'll receive a monthly remote work allowance and training budget to further enhance your skills.

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Common Interview Questions for Workforce Planning Manager
Can you describe your experience with workforce forecasting?

When answering this question, discuss your specific methods for forecasting workforce needs, including how you've handled variables such as employee churn and seasonal trends. Provide examples demonstrating your analytical approach and how it positively impacted resource allocation in your past roles.

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How do you manage resource allocation in a fast-paced environment?

To effectively manage resource allocation, highlight your strategies for prioritizing tasks and utilizing project management tools. Share an example of a time when you successfully allocated resources to meet project deadlines without compromising quality.

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What tools or software have you used for resource planning?

When asked about tools, provide specific names of software you are familiar with and detail how you’ve utilized them for workforce planning. Mention any experience you have with analytics or reporting features that helped in decision-making.

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How do you ensure alignment between workforce capabilities and business objectives?

To answer this, describe your approach to collaborating with leadership and other departments. Emphasize your emphasis on communication and how you've previously aligned workforce strategies with overarching business goals.

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What strategies do you use to handle competing priorities?

Discuss your prioritization techniques such as the Eisenhower Matrix or MoSCoW method. Share a situation where you managed multiple projects or demands successfully and the outcome that followed.

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How do you analyze data to support workforce planning?

Explain your process for data analysis, including the types of metrics you monitor and analyze, such as capacity and utilization rates. Provide an example of how your analysis led to actionable insights that benefited your team.

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What steps do you take to stay current with industry best practices?

Your answer can reflect networking with other professionals, attending industry-related conferences, and consuming relevant resources such as journals or webinars. Be prepared to mention specific instances where you've applied best practices.

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Describe a successful change management initiative you led.

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to describe a change management initiative you led. Focus on how you prepared the team, communicated changes effectively, and measured success post-implementation.

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How do you approach coaching team members on workforce planning best practices?

Discuss your mentoring style, including how you customize your approach based on team members' experience levels. Provide an example where your coaching improved a team's understanding or use of workforce planning tools.

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What motivates you in your role as a Workforce Planning Manager?

In your response, express your passion for optimizing workforce efficiency and contributing to team success. Share how seeing the positive impact of your work motivates you to refine processes and explore innovative solutions.

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SmartBug Media is the fully remote full service digital agency of choice for organizations looking to create resilient growth across the entire customer lifecycle.

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Full-time, remote
DATE POSTED
April 10, 2025

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