Director, Project Management

WHY DEPT®?

We are pioneers at heart. What this means, is that we are always leaning forward, thinking of what we can create tomorrow that does not exist today. We were born digital and we are a new model of agency, with a deep skillset in tech and marketing. That’s why we hire curious, self-driven, talented people who never stop innovating.

Our culture is big enough to cope and small enough to care. Meaning, that with people across 20 countries, we’re big enough to provide you with the best tools, global opportunities, and benefits that help you thrive. While acting small by investing in you, your growth, your team, and giving you the autonomy to solve our clients' problems, no matter where you are in the world. 

We are currently only hiring in specific location in the United States. Locations, office requirements, and salary bands are outlined below. Please note that we do not offer relocation at this time.

JOB PURPOSE

The Director of Project Management at DEPT® is responsible for leading the Project Management organization for the creative organization. The Director is responsible for growing and developing a project management team and sits in our structure alongside the other ‘Directors’ (e.g. Creative, Design, Influencer). The Director is a leader within the Client Service org - helping to push along the agency’s vision through management, coaching and process development. The Director is expected to represent DEPT to our clients, adding value to relationships beyond organizational skills doing a mixture of project management and strategic planning. 

The Director is expected to be very comfortable managing multiple direct reports as well as multiple client accounts with little to no guidance. The Director is able to make critical decisions that affect the project management team and the accounts they lead. The Director will lead in the development of proposals and staff plans and support in leading operational approaches to new business proposals and pitches. 

Candidates must have experience managing teams and complex, high-volume social work streams for brands and be calm and controlled in high-pressure situations. Equally, experience with delivering commercial success in an agency model is important. Most importantly, we need a leader who inspires their team and earns the respect of senior clients.

PROFICIENCY EXPECTATIONS

PROJECT MANAGEMENT 

• Responsible for establishing the organization’s approach to the full life cycle to various creative projects
• Responsible for leading onboarding of new clients
• Responsible to developing approaches to projects and project plans as well as directing and evaluating project management processes 
• Responsible for establishing, maintaining, and executing on timelines
• Responsible for partnering with Resource Management and Capacity Planning teams to resource effectively and efficiently to ensure proper resource utilization 
• Expected to have an understanding of each project’s status
• Expected to maintain an intimate knowledge of relevant client relationship and health
• Able to be comfortable in the weeds, but also capable of seeing the bigger picture.

BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE AND COMPLIANCE

• Expected to have a strong understanding of scope management inclusive of how to track and manage, escalate scope pacing issues
• Expected to act as a trusted strategic advisor, working alongside business leaders to help determine which projects should be undertaken, why and when, not just how
• Ability to manage, monitor and reconcile client out-of-pocket funds
• Ability to identify inefficiencies with the team to Client Lead 
• Ability to develop accurate and fair cost estimates for complex projects
• Ability to engage in discussions about budget adjustments and strategic investments
• Responsible for ensuring teams are operating effectively and efficiently towards clients goals while ensuring profitability on accounts

TEAM PARTICIPATION & LEADERSHIP

• Responsible for developing and leading PM organization structure, hiring and managing staffing requirements in line with project objectives
• Responsible for overseeing the delegation of work to Project Managers and Program Managers and overall client assignments 
• Responsible for actively developing and managing direct reports’ growth
• Responsible for periodically reviewing team ways of working and identify opportunities for streamlining or improvement 
• Responsible for ensuring delivery of work is to the highest possible standard
• Ability to lead, line-manage, motivate and inspire a team
• Ability to develop and lead process, training, and thought leadership to uplevel the way Project Managers lead their projects and working teams
• Ability to determine resolution for any cross-channel issues including performance, tracking, QA issues, etc.
• Ability to settle miscommunication or interpersonal issues within the group
• Ability to effectively communicate distilled, concise and clear feedback, identifying actionable next steps
• Ability to set clear expectations
• Ability to draw conclusions and actionable insights from analysis
• Ability to make informed decisions quickly in response to client needs and unforeseen challenges
• Ability to balance risk and opportunity when proposing solutions
• Ability to identify, collaborate and troubleshoot problems with other disciplines as they arise 
• Ability to manage upwards effectively
• Ability to utilize strong communication skills daily, understanding the proper channel for the kinds of messages that need to be conveyed, and ensuring teams are updated or informed 
• Ability to work across multiple projects simultaneously, managing your time in order to give all work the proper care and attention necessary to produce strong and successful work 
• Accountable for high employee retention and growth
• Familiarity with DEPT's service offerings & department leads with the ability to participate in conversations for complex projects or new offerings & know who to bring into the conversation within DEPT

QUALIFICATIONS   

Essential: Our offering is advanced for the industry, and we rely on great people. To be considered for this role, you will need the skills or experience outlined below.

• 10 years experience in the project management field for an agency, specifically for a creative team
• Experience managing complex campaigns and retainers (experience in organic and paid social preferred)
• Experience with campaign content production
• Experience in leading organic social efforts for brands/clients
• Experience in leading a high-volume, multi service retainer(s) for brands/clients
• Experience in working on creator/influencer-led projects
• Experience leading, motivating, and coaching teams 
• Experience inspiring and able to create a proactive and energized team culture
• Must have strong delegation skills with the ability to coordinate activities between multiple projects without directly managing them
• Ability to communicate complex messages to a variety of audiences 
• Ability to view the big picture, beyond your immediate role or department, and align projects with company strategy, values & goals
• Ability to solve problems through collecting relevant information for assessment, understand solutions & consequences in order to choose course of action
• Ability to connect each project to the business world, thinking through effectiveness, efficiency and consistency within all interdisciplinary projects
• Strong relationship management skills, including experience working directly with directors, VPs and C-level clients
• Excellent project management skills, able to identify and recommend efficient ways of working
• Excellent organizational skills and high attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills; excellent presentation skills
• Advanced problem-solving skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Ability to react quickly within a fast-paced environment
• Ability to remain focused under pressure and work under tight deadlines
• Willingness and ability to learn
• Ability to keep a cool head and positive attitude
• Proficient in Google Suite
• Proficient in Asana 
• Experience in Slack

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

We are a collaborative, open-door, best-idea-wins environment that fosters personal and company growth and has fun doing it. Here is a snapshot of our  benefits package:

• Healthcare, Dental, and Vision coverage
• 401k plan, plus matching
• PTO
• Paid Company Holidays
• Parental Leave

The anticipated salary ranges for this position and subsequent locations are listed below. Salary is based on a range of factors that include relevant experience, expertise, physical location, and organizational impact. This is based on a 40-hour workweek and leveling. Keep in mind, we're flexible. 

WE SUPPORT YOU BEING YOU: 

DEPT® is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We believe our work is its best when our people feel safe and free to be themselves. We’re committed to an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection process and workplace, regardless of anyone’s lived experience, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, and genetic information. So tell us about any accommodations you need. It’s totally confidential and only used to make sure you feel fully supported at every step.

DEPT® participates in E-Verify, meaning your Form I-9 information will be sent to the federal government to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S. 

We are a B Corp-certified company passionate about purpose-driven work.  Our hope is that you can feel good about the contributions DEPT® is making to the world and we always have an open door for your ideas in making the world a better place. 

DEPT® is a pioneering technology and marketing services company that creates integrated end-to-end digital experiences for brands such as Google, KFC, Philips, Audi, Twitch, Patagonia, eBay and more. Its team of 2,500 digital specialists across 30 locations on 5 continents delivers pioneering work on a global scale with a boutique culture. 

Learn more about DEPT®

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.

Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine. 

We also encourage you  to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.

Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts here.

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