Lara Sutton
Edinburgh
Summary
Senior administrator with over twenty years of experience in creative operations, IT, and project management. Proven expertise in operations, resource allocation, and workflow management within high-volume environments. Extensive background in process design and implementation, with a strong focus on managing change in complex business settings.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work history
Creative Services Manager
Scottish Rugby Union
Edinburgh
2025.01 - 2025.07
- Line Managed team of Designers and Content Producers
- Audited existing processes
- Designed and rolled out new Demand Management process utilising advanced Asana functionality and managed associated change
- Created Suite of Process Documentation
- Managed Allocation of Resource to Briefs according to Capacity and Skill Set
- Reduced operational costs with efficient resource allocation and vendor negotiation.
- Negotiated Contracts with 3rd Party Suppliers ensured financial benefits for SRU
- Managed Multiple Concurrent Projects and Workstreams. Creation and Management of Project Plans
- Worked to mitigate risk with internal and external stakeholders
- Created weekly production and workload plans
- Reported on Workload Metrics to enable cross-charging
- Managed team KPIs
- Managed creative output against SRU Brand Guidelines
- Contributed to RACI development to incorporate new Organisational Structure
- Streamlined processes for enhanced efficiency in project delivery.
Freelance Traffic, PMO & Change Agent
2024.02 - 2025.01
- Designed and Implemented Demand Management process for Technology team
- Documented and mapped “as is” and “to be” Processes
- Managed Implementation and correct use of ClickUp within Agile Development Environment
- Created and prepared for distribution Process Change Communications and Documentation
- Set up and Managed PMO for New Platform Integrations (HubSpot & Simpro)
- RAID and RACI reporting to Senior Management
Head of Operations and Workflow
The Leith Agency
Edinburgh
2022.11 - 2023.11
- Key Stakeholder and Leith Representative for Lumanity's Business Unification Programme. Involved from Vendor selection to Implementation of integrated CRM, HR, PSA and Finance Systems
- Analysed current Processes and Communicated Improvements to Lumanity PMO
- Initiated and Managed Agency-wide Change Management Programme
- Produced Training Documentation and chaired in-person Training Sessions on new processes and tools
- First point of Contact for all internal process queries
- Onboarded and managed team of Change Agents and Super Users
- Reported Programme Status at board level through written Reports and regular in-person Presentations.
- Created and distributed Management Information reporting on Utilisation and Profitability
- Audited and renegotiated Contracts with 3rd party suppliers
- Facilitated Strategic Resource Planning
- Onboarded new employees
- Trained GDPR DPO
Head of Traffic and Workflow
The Leith Agency
Edinburgh
2011.08 - 2022.11
- Functional Management of large team of creatives and artworkers
- Recruitment and Management of Traffic Assistant and Freelance Creative Resource
- Successfully Planned Resource and Prioritised Workflow for busy Creative and Studio departments to ensure projects were delivered on time and on budget
- Responsibility and Ownership of deadlines, commitments and output
- Gatekeeper to all Briefs, ensuring Briefing and Sign-off process was strictly followed
- Ownership of Resource Calendar ensured it was Updated as requirements changed, and any change of status was effectively Communicated
- Identified and Communicated resourcing gaps ensuring consistently high Utilisation
- Worked Collaboratively with all Internal and External stakeholders
- Scheduled and chaired daily, weekly, and monthly meetings to ensure effective Communication and Collaboration across business
- Designed and Implemented new Processes and Systems to improve Utilisation, Productivity, and Profitability
- Produced Training Documentation and presented in person Training sessions
- Produced regular Status Updates on Profitability and Utilisation to Senior Leadership
- Ensured that Framework of Continuous Improvement was applied
- Designed and coordinated “special relationships” with local High Schools to help underrepresented groups gain experience in Advertising
Service Management Analyst
AEGON UK
Edinburgh
2010.05 - 2011.08
- Worked for EDC (European Data Centre) played key role in Facilitating Operational Continuity as key IT infrastructure and processes were transferred from AEGON UK to EDC.
Project Officer
The Scottish Government (Resilience)
Edinburgh
2009.09 - 2010.04
- Liaised with Stakeholders, including other areas within Scottish Resilience, other Government Departments, and Emergency Services, fostering Productive Relationships and Collaboration.
- Created and Edited various documents, including Proposals, Guidance, Correspondence, and Government Submissions, ensuring accuracy and compliance with standards.
- Monitored unit Project Plans, ensuring alignment with objectives, deadlines, and resource allocations.
Studio Manager
2Fluid Creative Ltd
Glasgow
2008.09 - 2009.08
- Managed People and Digital Projects to ensure delivery on time and on budget
Client Support Officer
TLR/Everysite Ltd
Edinburgh
2007.12 - 2008.09
- Supported nationally recognised food assurance bodies in Utilising Everysite's bespoke web-based IT systems
Language Teacher
Barcelona
2005.02 - 2007.12
Operations Manager
Victoria Real/Endemol Ltd
, Brighton/London
2000.06 - 2004.06
- Managed workflow, resource planning and freelancers for Victoria Real staff (up to 100 production resources)
Education
BA (Hons) - Combined Arts and Humanities
De Montfort University
Skills
- Resource allocation
- Capacity Planning
- Utilisation tracking
- Stakeholder engagement
- Change Management
- Project Management
- Project plan creation
- Workflow Management
- Contract Negotiation
- Recruitment & Line Management
- Process Design & Implementation
- GDPR DPO
- Management Information
- Team Training
- New Starter Onboarding
- Report Writing
- Presentation Skills
- Agile
- Waterfall
- Kanban
- Gantt
- Jira
- Asana
- Synergist
- Hive
- Kantata
- Trello
- ClickUp
- Smartsheets
- NetSuite
- People HR
- Float
- MS Office 365
- G Suite
- Visio
- Lucidchart
- HubSpot
- Sharepoint
Websites
Other
- UK Passport Holder
- Spartans FC U10s Coach
- Softball – Tartan Sox
Timeline
Creative Services Manager
Scottish Rugby Union
2025.01 - 2025.07
Freelance Traffic, PMO & Change Agent
2024.02 - 2025.01
Head of Operations and Workflow
The Leith Agency
2022.11 - 2023.11
Head of Traffic and Workflow
The Leith Agency
2011.08 - 2022.11
Service Management Analyst
AEGON UK
2010.05 - 2011.08
Project Officer
The Scottish Government (Resilience)
2009.09 - 2010.04
Studio Manager
2Fluid Creative Ltd
2008.09 - 2009.08
Client Support Officer
TLR/Everysite Ltd
2007.12 - 2008.09
Language Teacher
2005.02 - 2007.12
Operations Manager
Victoria Real/Endemol Ltd
2000.06 - 2004.06
BA (Hons) - Combined Arts and Humanities
De Montfort University