Associate Director, Program Manager

Overview

Position Overview:

The Associate Director of Program Management is responsible for the health and quality of a large client program, or a large portfolio of programs, focusing on maintaining margin, operational and delivery efficiency, risk mitigation and resolution, and the management and mentorship of 2-4 Associate-to-Senior Program Managers.

The ideal candidate should have experience structuring and leading marketing and advertising projects comprised of multidisciplinary resources and parallel lines of business, with demonstrated success in collaborating with key agency stakeholders, including but not limited to Creative, Client Services, Finance, Strategy, Data and Analytics, Media, and Technology. Experience with managing multi-channel engagements (video, TVC, print, digital, experiential, activation, etc.) is required.

They will also possess a proven ability to represent the Program Management discipline with internal and client leadership, and be deft at building and maintaining strong relationships with agency, client and third-party partners. They will work with these entities to proactively solve challenges and contribute to the development of processes that adapt to evolving business challenges, best practices and industry standards.

• Work with key account and client stakeholders to develop and instill processes, workflows and tools that support the profitable delivery of client work. Contribute to a culture of delivery efficiency and excellence with direct reports and larger Program Management department.
• Responsible for leading a team in the scoping and management of multiple, concurrent, large scale-projects and client engagements totaling over $8-15MM annually.
• Collaborate with third-party media partners, PR agencies, and strategic client partners to ensure seamless delivery of integrated brand initiatives.
• Partner with Client Service and Finance leads to actively manage business challenges, client relationships, developing annual scopes and contracts, estimates and staffing plans against scoped work, and maintaining profit margin.
• Partner with Creative to effectively shepherd and manage the evolution of creative work, ensuring quality at all points from concept through delivery.
• Active partnership with Resource Management, Production, and Technology departments to ensure connections and collaborations happen where they should, in support of innovative and award-winning creative ideas.
• Maintain and enforce high standards of communications and documentation, including status and financial reports, timelines, scopes, change orders, burn reports and forecasting, best practices and asset management.
• Maintain departmental values, vision, direction and responsibilities with key program stakeholders.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to continuously optimize existing operational processes and systems, ensuring buy-in and compliance with directs.
• Provide solutions-oriented leadership with a very strong ability to creatively solve complex problems with a positive, professional demeanor and a high degree of emotional intelligence.
• Work with Director-level stakeholders to manage overall client relationship and actively sell in new ideas to clients to enhance their business and grow revenue. Introduce offerings to the relationship where appropriate.
• Proactively manage, provide guidance, and develop clear communication standards around program and business-related risks, including mitigation planning and crisis management.
• Participate in team and cross-capability recruiting, interviewing, and staffing
• Experience with in and a strong understanding of a large IAT model
• Actively participate in agency new business opportunities/initiatives

• 8-10 years’ experience in a creative services organization, working with high profile brands and leading senior cross-functional stakeholders including strategy, media, data and planning, creative, editorial, experience design, production, technology, operations, finance, and resourcing.
• 3-5 years' experience managing a team of Associate-to-Senior Program Mangers.
• Expert-level knowledge and deep experience in project management,…