Program Manager

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.

Who we are looking for:   

VML is seeking a Program Manager to lead the Project Management discipline for a global tech client. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with exceptional client-facing, global experience who thrives on executing large 360 marketing campaigns and all that comes with it. 

The Program Manager will be a true partner to our client and internal Account, Strategy and Creative leaders, with an intimate understanding of the clients' goals and ability to anticipate how VML can best serve them. 

You must have a deep knowledge of all aspects of the Project Management function within a global creative agency. You can identify inefficiencies and streamline processes, while also being a strong lead and mentor to the team. You must be able to build execute scopes of work and partner effectively with account services leadership, creative leadership, and key inter-agency partner stakeholders in this highly visible role.  

This role will lead the client’s integrated marketing campaigns and be a trailblazer of managing the day-to-day project workstreams, processes and timelines. We are looking for an enthusiastic critical thinker/problem solver who thrives on being engaged at all levels of a project. The Program Manager must understand how to execute a 360-marketing campaign across multiple platforms and channels with a heightened focus on supporting creative teams, social platforms and video production process workflows. They will take responsibility for setting and managing expectations internally and with clients. The ideal candidate will understand how to manage and negotiate trade-offs to deliver on time, within budget, and against agreed objectives. Program Managers should have full lifecycle experience from scoping, management of creative project teams, production vendors, tactical asset delivery, and management of asset releases and DAM storage. They can confidently prioritize business needs, resource management, schedules, and financials to successfully navigate and deliver all aspects of the assignment.

 What you’ll be doing:  

• Lead the delivery of work that is excellent, on time, on budget and goes beyond the brief. You will be responsible for setting up plans and processes that drive projects forward and ensure successful delivery with high client satisfaction. Maintain awareness of the current industry environment that shapes opportunities for client solutions (i.e. trends, social platforms, etc.). 

• Establish and manage program timelines, communication and processes. You will be responsible for setting up appropriate structure and tools to ensure successful collaboration and engagement across agency and client teams.

• Establish & optimize our ways of working to drive better efficiency, and contribution profit margins on the business

• Act as a proactive project lead to foster collaboration and coordination across capabilities and external partners.

• Lead, motivate, direct and challenge teams to produce great work. You will be responsible for establishing and managing cross-functional teams across different locations that are collaborative, efficient and high-functioning.

• Consistently demonstrates core management skills in facilitation, communication, attention to detail, negotiation, technical skills, effective leadership skills, great interpersonal skills.

• Continue to optimize and shape the client operating model to best service the business

• Ongoing financial training and staffing process adherence across disciplines. You will be responsible for building detailed burn tracking; managing resource allocations; and reporting on program status, burn rates, budgets and reconciliations to agency and client stakeholders.

• Provide timely and accurate analysis of budgets, forecasts, financial reports/trends to inform project stakeholders of the well-being of the partnership.

What You’ll Need: 

• 7+ years of hands-on project management experience in advertising or marketing communications in a client-facing role, ideally at a (preferably large) global creative agency or similar.  PMP certification is preferred.

• A systematic thinker with a proven track record of overseeing global brand campaigns across cross-functional teams 

• A campaign thinker, with experience in multi-channel, integrated campaign work, who demonstrates a sharp knowledge of, and thoughtful POV on, the principles of marketing, advertising, campaigns, content, and all forms of media.  

• High EQ and the ability to read what a team needs to help motivate them. 

• Proven track record in a client-service environment including being comfortable communicating timelines, summarizing action items and sharing next steps with key internal and external stakeholders. Proven ability to link people (including team members and stakeholders), ideas, and information throughout a project life.

• Self-motivated and driven to build and create great work.

• Strong leadership skills including ability to connect and motivate a large team.

• Excellent written and verbal communication and negotiation skills.

What we can offer you: 

• 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. 

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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