Onsite Senior Project Manager; Design

Marks, part of the Propelis Group, Marks is a consumer experience agency creating engaging moments across the entire brand spectrum— from brand design and packaging, to content and consumer connections. We are a collaborative global network of 1,900+ team members across 25+ studios and 20+ countries, partnering with some of the world’s most recognized brands to solve complex business challenges through design, strategy, and craft.

Represent Marks and support our ever‑evolving business needs and act as an integral member of the team, working exclusively on a dedicated client’s business from their Chicago office.

This is a hybrid role which currently requires 3 days per week in office, but is subject to change based on the client in‑office policy.

As the Onsite Senior Project Manager (Design), you are the brand strategy and design steward. Partner with the client Design Lead to clearly understand the creative brief objectives and partner with design team to add value, review/critique design concepts to meet the creative brief and key stakeholder expectations. The Onsite Senior Project Manager (Design) represents the client design team point of view in making recommendations to the client cross‑function team and represents the design’s point of view to facilitate the creation of effective design.

Reporting To:
Design Group Account Director

The Onsite Senior Project Manager (Design) will work closely with the client Design, Marketing, Promotions, SRA, SGX teams and other project stakeholders (as required) to support and contribute to day‑to‑day project management, deliverables and flawless execution. Clear project objectives and concise communication of expectations will be essential. The role will facilitate and maximize team time to develop new design concepts and/or revisions that meet project expectations, brand guidelines and timing, while anticipating upcoming project needs and resources.

• Support design phase through conception to completion with internal and external partners.
• Maintain brand assets and toolkits.
• Act as the dependable lead point of contact for any and all matters for assigned design projects.
• Challenge status quo (as needed) and add value to deliver the best design solutions that exceed brief expectations.
• Develop a trusted advisor relationship with stakeholders and vendors.
• Schedule and attend project meetings, create and present presentations, lead project kick‑offs and creative reviews in collaboration with the design team.
• Proactively manage assigned projects from brief through execution and release of artwork, partnering with the design lead, vendors and agency teams to meet project brief objectives and deliverables in a timely manner.
• Collaborate daily with project teams and the design lead to ensure progressing projects are on track.
• Lead weekly status report meetings to communicate project status, highlight challenges or potential delays, and provide solutions to keep projects on course through completion.
• Effectively manage all project requests and alert or escalates any issues to the client Sr. Design Director and Marks CSSD as needed.

• Step in for Design Managers in select meetings as needed.
• Develop internal relationships to earn trust and respect of Project Managers. Champion and mentor Project Managers while upholding high standards and best practices.
• Support PMs in developing effective Concept Presentation set‑ups to elevate client deliverables.
• Collaborate with Project Managers and Traffic Manager to ensure correct resources are assigned and make necessary adjustments for on‑time delivery and resource optimization.
• Conduct status meetings with all teams to ensure accounts are running correctly.
• Update status for all projects in collaboration with project managers; work with the design lead and agency leaders to reschedule projects, reset expectations based on new or changing priorities, ensuring transparency and no surprises.

• Manage communication with Marketing and XF partners.
• Demonstrate understanding of client brands and fit each project…