Program Director - Temporary Worker

Job Description

Job Description:

TEMP ROLE

10/12-5/31/2027

Anticipated
40 hoursper week

Hourly, Non-Exempt on Dentsu Payroll, W2

Remote or Hybrid depending on Location

Work in EST Time Zone with some flexibility

Must be US Based

Travel
- Required on occasion

Merkle, adentsucompany, powers theexperienceeconomy. For more than 35 years, the company has put people at the heart of its approach to digital business transformation. As the only integrated experience consultancy in the world with a heritage in data science and business performance, Merkle delivers holistic, end-to-end experiences that drive growth, engagement, and loyalty. Merkle'sexpertisehas earned recognition as a "Leader" by top industry analyst firms, in categories such as digital transformation and commerce, experience design, engineering and technology integration, digital marketing, data science, CRM and loyalty, and customer data management.

With more than
16,000 employees, Merkle operates in 30+ countries throughout the Americas, EMEA, and APAC.

We are seeking an experienced
Temporary
Program Director
to lead transformational digital/technical initiatives for our premier client portfolio while driving excellence across our program management practice. This senior leadership position requires a strategic and operationally sophisticated professional who can oversee one or more high-stakes programs, develop organizational capabilities, and serve as a trusted advisor to client executives.
The ideal candidate brings deep
digital/technical expertise, proven team leadership, and the ability to deliver exceptional results in fast-paced, complex agency environments serving both domestic and international markets.

• Direct a portfolio of enterprise-level programs for 1 or more Fortune 500 clients
• Define program vision,objectives, and success criteria in collaboration with client executives and agency leadership
• Establish comprehensive program roadmaps that integrate multiple work streams across digital transformation, customer experience, data analytics, and technology implementations
• Ensure programs align with client business strategies and deliver measurable ROI and business impact
• Lead program steering committees with senior client stakeholders,facilitating strategic decision-making and governance
• Manage program interdependencies, risks, and resource conflicts across the portfolio

• Partner closely with Creative, Strategy, Data & Analytics, Technology, and CRM leadership to ensure integrated program delivery
• Oversee end-to-end program execution ensuring deliverables meet quality standards, timelines, and budget parameters
• Implement robust governance structures including escalation protocols, change management processes, and risk mitigation strategies
• Monitor program health through comprehensive dashboards tracking scope, schedule, budget, quality, and client satisfaction metrics
• Conduct regular program health assessments and implement corrective actions to address challenges
• Ensure compliance with agency standards, client requirements, and regulatory obligations across all markets
• Lead crisis management and issue resolution for high-impact program challenges
• Facilitate post-program retrospectives capturing lessons learned and best practices

• Manage program budgets ensuring profitability targets are achieved
• Oversee resource planning and allocation across programs,optimizingutilizationand capability deployment
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and program profitability

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance delivery quality, team productivity, and client satisfaction
• Establish and refine program management methodologies, tools, and templates aligned with industry best practices
• Implement andoptimizetechnology platforms supporting program planning, execution, and reporting
• Create standardized frameworks for risk management, change control, and quality assurance

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• 12-15years of progressive program/project management experience at a digital/technical agency isaMUST
• 4-6 years of people management experience
• Proven track record managing complex programs valued at $5M-$15M+ individually
• Extensive experience with enterprise-level clients and multi-year technical initiatives
• History of delivering programs that drive…