Job description
Our creative agency client seeks a fulltime Program Manager to join the team. The ideal candidate will have 5-8 years of agency project management experience focusing on brand strategy, brand design, environmental design, product design and/or content creation across multiple industries.
Program Manager
Summary:
Program Managers are the shepherds of our work. They understand what is possible and what best practices are required to get it done - on time, on budget and at an exceptionally high level of creative delivery. In this role you are expected to balance being an empathetic advocate for our design team’s needs with a relentless desire to meet the objectives of our clients.
A Program Manager is responsible for managing multiple work streams across key client accounts. Working in partnership with the client services team, project management and creative leads, the Program Manager oversees a client portfolio and is actively involved in a wide variety of complex high profile integrated efforts across the Studio. From initial client brief to launch, the Program Manager excels at being the hub of all real-time information regarding client programs with meticulous project plans, scope management and client relationships skills to ensure we meet our collective goals. This position must be an expert at process management and have experience in bringing projects to completion.
Requirements
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5-8+ years of project management experience within an agency or studio setting
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Working knowledge of multiple creative disciplines, including brand strategy, brand design, environmental design, product design and content creation
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Depth and breadth of the creative process with a point of view on the fundamentals of effective project and client management
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Working experience in agency management software, tools and processes.
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Proven organizational skills and a relentless attention to detail
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Interest in working across multiple client brands with the skills to adapt to the different brand personalities
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Deeply immersed and comfortable in the lifestyle and brands that the agency represents
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Excellent leadership, communication, critical thinking and negotiation skills
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Natural problem solver who thrives in an ever-evolving environment
Responsibilities include
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Responsible for the consistent successful facilitation of programs and projects from estimation through launch and maintenance.
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Partners with Client Services Director and account lead to generate SOWs/estimates before work commences.
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Communicates daily with client about project execution and details.
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Defines and implements program work plans rolling individual projects schedules and budgets into overall program plan.
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Works with project managers on assigned work within a program as needed maintaining oversight and overall accountability for all deliverables.
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Captures key take-aways on client calls and interactions related to all tactical next steps and overall work plan execution. Participation and documentation of internal and client meetings capturing action items and next steps.
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In collaboration with the creative lead, identifies appropriate resources for each project/program, allocates internal and external resources as needed throughout project lifecycles.
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Works with Client Services Director to confirm availability, secure quotes and engage selected freelancers and vendors as needed.
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Agency advocate for internal communication; determines points of conflict and escalates to the appropriate channels.
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Monitors project budgets and schedules regularly and make adjustments as needed and/or escalate any risks to Client Services Director to remedy
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Provides scope change order documentation to account lead, including timeline + budget revisions.
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Manages tactical quality of all client deliverables (proofreading, project requirements and specifications); ensures appropriate team member review.
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Ensures POs are issued and approved for client-related expenses within budgeted scope (based on client approved estimate or scope change)
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Assures monthly billing/revenue recognition meeting prep is complete and all project transactions are reviewed and accurate on a weekly basis
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Participates in monthly billing/revenue recognition meetings
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Assists Account lead and Finance in preparing client invoices
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Works with accounting to finalize end of program reconciliation, compiles and documents program/project details for post mortems.
