Program Director (Health)

Who We Are:

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.

The Program Director is expected to manage against defined processes throughout a client engagement as well as identify strategic opportunities for optimizations and new work within our client’s environments. This individual is also responsible for building, coaching and leading teams against said process to ensure successful deliveries. 

VML Health needs individuals who are proactive problem solvers that can manage team dynamics, manage project and program financial performance, clearly communicate status, and drive progression towards dates. 

What you’ll do:

• Lead a program of projects across one or multiple client engagements 
• Support/provide strategic direction related to processes and resolution paths 
• Understand the requirements of the organization to create efficient solutions within the projects engaged 
• Provide well researched POV documents on a variety of solutions related to project work 
• Maintain direct client relationships with client project owners and client management leadership 
• Responsible for interviewing and making recommendations to hire at the Senior Program Manager level and below 
• Coach, mentor, motivate and manage direct reports 
• Serve as a key point of contact and liaison for cross-divisional teams, agency peers and management 
• Lead scoping and estimation exercises for existing and new business 
• Support creation of RFP responses with other teams within VMLY&R and new business engagement. 
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and efficiencies to continuously provide value to clients 
• Support organizational resourcing based on client needs (communicating, managing, executing) 
• Manage projects against variances in profitability, burn and efficiency 

What you’ll need:

• 10+ years of project management experience including working at a marketing agency with pharmaceutical brands  
• Ability to provide proactive and assertive leadership in problem solving, managing financial success of projects, maintaining timelines, and reducing waste 
• Strong interpersonal skills and able to resolve conflict with productive outcomes 
• Ability to effectively work across departments with diplomacy and a firm understanding of other’s roles and perspectives 
• Ability to manage multiple work-streams (projects) effectively and efficiently
• Extensive team management skills for teams of 10-15+
• Ability to view problems in context at the system and organization and align solutions with the strategic direction of our clients and company 
• Proactive, adaptable, and flexible 
• Life-long learner, demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement 
• Strong attention to detail 
• Demonstrable ability to operate under tight deadline with complex business/technical solutions 
• Ability to manage workload with minimal supervision 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
• Experience in running or working with agile teams  
• Master’s degree in business administration, computer science, computer information systems, marketing, or equivalent experience preferred 
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, or equivalent experience  
• PMP Certification preferred 

What we offer:

• Passionate, driven people | We champion a culture of people that do extraordinary work.
• Consciously cultivated culture | We aim to embody the behaviors to build an inclusive community that is in it together, bringing both positivity and active listening into the workplace as we simultaneously strive to empower creative bravery.
• Competitive benefits | What we offer full time hires ranges from the full spectrum of group health coverage options (medical, dental, vision) to a generous 401k match (100% dollar-for-dollar match, up to 5% of salary contribution), and a variety of paid time off offerings that reflect our investment in all aspects of your overall life balance and wellness.
• Growth-minded opportunities | We aim to nurture a culture of real-time feedback, growth-oriented mindset, and plenty of training opportunities through VML and WPP, so you can continue to grow personally and professionally.

#vmlhealthcareers

VML is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or other protected group status. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion and strives to recruit a diverse slate of candidates to help us achieve that goal.

The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, click WPP Benefits for more details.

_$75,000—$180,000 USD

At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization—creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers—who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction.

VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

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