SVP, Deputy Program Manager

Agency

TBWA

Account Management and Growth

Account Management

Title:

Deputy Program Account Manager

Reports to:

Program Account Manager

Client: US Army

THE ROLE Ready to lead? We're looking for a sharp, strategic Deputy Program Account Manager (DPAM or Deputy) to join our Chicago office and own client relationships that matter. The Deputy is a strategic orchestrator who reports to the Program Account Manager for the U.S. Army Account, with primary accountability for leading all recruitment marketing activity. This role demands deep expertise in understanding and orchestrating modern, integrated marketing capabilities enabled by emerging and integrated technologies—serving as the essential bridge between internal agency partnerships and external Army stakeholders.

As the central point of contact for the Director of Marketing for the Army Enterprise Marketing Office (AEMO), the Deputy must combine technical acumen with strategic vision to assess program effectiveness, identify and evaluate new technology capabilities to drive measurable results, and champion continuous marketing advancements. Success requires coordinating across the entire cross-agency functional leadership team (IAT) and U.S. Army Work streams to ensure seamless program execution, issue escalation and resolution, while engaging with Senior Level Army leadership.

• Technology Orchestration and Digital Capability Leadership Demonstrates deep understanding and mastery of modern, integrated technology capabilities—from data platforms and AI to digital marketing systems. Comfortable advocating for and orchestrating tech solutions that expand digital and AI capabilities to unlock effectiveness and efficiencies. Actively identifies emerging technologies, evaluates their strategic fit for the Army account, and leads cross-functional teams in seamless integration of tech-enabled marketing solutions to drive program transformation and measurable results.
• Business and Category Acumen Drives accountability and understanding of the U.S. Army Recruitment Mission at a fundamental level and leads the account management team in creating innovative marketing solutions in a clear and smart manner that demonstrate a true understanding of the business, environment and problems. Projects critical future drivers and opportunities with foresight and strategic vision.
• The Chief Unifier Complex business problems require multi-faceted ecosystem solutions. The DPAM must smartly unify the right cross-discipline experts—including technology, creative, strategy, and operations—for the best program outcomes. Neutralizes conflict throughout the broader Integrated Agency Team and fosters collaboration that advances excellence in the marketing program.
• Operational Excellence An essential enabler and partner to the PMO lead in steering operations for the overall U.S. Army account. Drives process consistency, proposal development, activity planning, budgeting, and cross-agency staffing. Demonstrates mastery of contractual and operational boundaries, managing cost, schedule, and performance against agreed deliverables within cost-type/project-based contracts.
• Full-Funnel Marketing Experience Seamlessly shifts between strategic and program conversations across call center operations, data & privacy management, content development, prospect experience, and political atmospherics. Demonstrates adaptability, agility, multitasking capability, and comprehensive understanding of the $300MM+ marketing ecosystem.
• Critical Thinking, Both Intuitive and Analytical Comfortable with data across all aspects of the program (research, media, performance, etc.). Digs deep to tell a story in multiple ways. Asks the right probing questions to drive insights.
• Opportunity Hunters Acts as a tireless identifier of important business Army challenges and converts them into strategic and creative opportunities for the agency.
• Developing People Leads by example, establishing work ethic expectations. Challenges, inspires, and holds teams accountable. Develops growth plans, provides timely feedback, and coaches individuals with clarity and momentum. Advances team…