FREELANCE Project Manager (web/ digital projects ONLY)

About VML

VML is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human first, award-winning work for blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave™ Reports, as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. In addition, VML’s specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world’s largest and most awarded health agencies. VML’s global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55+ markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney.

VML is a WPP agency (NYSE: WPP). For more information, please visit  www.vml.com, and follow along on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

Who we are looking for:

VML is seeking a Project Manager with a strong entrepreneurial spirit to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for client satisfaction, quality of work and project profitability. You will oversee that project deliverables map to the business objectives. You must have the dual ability to maintain the broad vision required for executing a project, including strategic thinking & leadership from beginning to end, as well as the talent for overseeing all the small details that add up to fulfilling our commitment to client satisfaction. You are a problem solver and are comfortable navigating ambiguity and defining next steps for your fellow team members.

What you’ll do:

• Work | Deliver work that is excellent, on time, on budget, and goes beyond the brief. Oversee the entire delivery and execution of projects. Identifies dependencies and the cascading impacts of delays. Leads resource needs and availability across the office and network, working closely with department leads and recruiting.

• People | Motivate, direct and challenge teams to produce great work. Establish and manage cross-functional teams across different locations that are collaborative, efficient and high-functioning. Increase efficiency across a group of accounts through effective management of staff resourcing. Oversee staff aggregate bandwidth, utilization, and realization rates, as well as retention and employee relations. Provide solutions for additional temporary resources, new business pitch support, and PTO coverage.

• Process | Establish and manage project/program communication and process. Leverage existing tools and processes to monitor people and progress. Collaborate with Project and Program needs to ensure the right resources are in place to deliver the work.

• Financials | Responsible for project estimation, planning and profitability. Build detailed project plans. Collaborate with Delivery leads for resourcing and scoping strategy across portfolio, partnering with finance and account teams. Partner with the Director of Project Management for resourcing strategy across the portfolio, and support Project Managers in resourcing to the scope.

Who you are:

• Leader | Influences without authority and fosters an environment of shared accountability. Comfortable communicating and partnering with discipline leads, tailoring communications based on audience and level (technology, creative, finance, client, vendor).

• Builder | Navigates strong collaboration between people, processes and systems. Drives projects and resource management from ambiguity to clarity. Understands digital technologies and trends.

• Detail Oriented | Sharp attention to detail and a drive for perfection. Excellent problem-solving skills. Flexibility, initiative, dedication, and the ability to work with minimal supervision.

• A Strong Communicator | Excellent communication and analytical skills. Conducts team and client meetings with clear, concise language and leadership acumen. A skilled, creative, confident presenter and negotiator. Experience partnering with finance leads in corresponding departments.

What you'll need:

• 3-5 years project management experience working in a CRM/Direct Marketing/Digital agency setting

• 3-5 years of progressive experience in digital/Internet technologies

• Experience on IT infrastructure and architecture development

• Experience and understanding of Program Management

• Project / Program Management & Agile Experience

• Experience on Program Incremental Planning

• Experience in managing large-scale projects and major client relationships

• Resource managing and allocations within the project and workstreams

• Able to operate on both a strategic and tactical level. Strong understanding of Information Architecture, SEO, CMS, Analytics, Social Media and the full range of digital media trends

• Hold or is working towards a project management certification (PMP, CAPM, etc.)

• Knowledge of design software or programming languages front-end technology and object-oriented programming (.Net, HTML, Javascript)

• Knowledge of DB: SQL, MySQL

• Knowledge on source control and continuous integration

• Tech knowledge on CMS

• Advanced English

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

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