Senior Project Manager

Who we’re looking for:

VML is seeking a Senior Project Manager, a strategic and seasoned leader who excels in critical thinking and problem-solving across complex, multi-faceted projects. Our Senior Project Managers are adept at understanding both the big picture and the granular details, taking ownership of setting and exceeding expectations with internal teams and clients. They possess a deep understanding of how to strategically manage and negotiate trade-offs to consistently deliver results on time, within budget, and aligned with agreed objectives. Senior Project Managers have extensive experience managing full campaign lifecycles, from initial scoping to final delivery, and confidently navigate and prioritize business needs, resource allocation, scheduling, and financial considerations to ensure the successful execution of all project aspects. This individual will be instrumental in supporting one of the Kansas City office’s largest clients, overseeing their integrated marketing programs, including TV, print, radio, social media, and digital display initiatives.

What you’ll do:

• Work | Spearhead the delivery of exceptional work that is delivered on time and within budget, and pushes creative boundaries. Oversee the end-to-end delivery and execution of large-scale, integrated projects. Proactively identify dependencies and mitigate the impact of potential delays. Drive alignment on scope, schedule, assumptions, and pricing for projects, effectively translating these into compelling Client Proposals and Statements of Work.
• People | Inspire, mentor, and direct cross-functional teams to produce award-winning work. Partner with Account Management to strategically manage scope, cultivate client relationships, and identify new business opportunities. Foster a collaborative ‘One Team’ approach, integrating account management, creative, production, content/social, finance, and client representatives.
• Process | Define, implement, and optimize project/program communication and processes. Expertly balance opportunities and constraints within complex projects. Champion the use of existing tools and processes to effectively monitor team performance and project progress, while also identifying and implementing process improvements.
• Financials | Take ownership of project estimation, financial planning, and profitability. Develop detailed project plans that align with budgetary requirements and maximize ROI.

Who you are:

• Strategic Leader | Influences and inspires teams without direct authority, fostering a culture of shared accountability and excellence. Drives projects from initial ambiguity to clear, actionable strategies. Possesses an innate ability to marshal resources, galvanize teams, and usher innovative ideas.
• Builder | Expertly navigates the complexities of people, processes, and systems to drive seamless collaboration. Demonstrates an entrepreneurial mindset coupled with a strong business acumen. Proactively brings people together to achieve common goals and build lasting relationships.
• Detail-Oriented | Exhibits a sharp attention to detail balanced with the ability to see the big picture and drive strategic initiatives. Create team environments that are collaborative, comfortable, and encouraging, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
• Exceptional Communicator | Possesses excellent communication, presentation, and analytical skills. Proactively identifies and resolves challenges, demonstrating a ‘yes, and why not’ attitude.

What you'll need:

• 5+ years of experience managing complex, integrated marketing projects in an agency or consulting environment, with a proven track record of success.
• Extensive experience with project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, etc.) and tools such as Smartsheet, Jira, Confluence, Microsoft Project, Slack, and Microsoft Teams.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor project teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills, with the ability to think critically and strategically to overcome challenges.
• Proven ability to lead team and client meetings, tailoring communications to diverse audiences (technology, creative, finance, client, or vendor).
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and meet high standards for quality and accuracy under tight deadlines.
• Deep passion for the marketing and advertising industry, with a strong desire to learn the inner workings of the business and contribute to the team's success.
• Exceptional scoping and project management skills, with the ability to accurately estimate project timelines, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple projects with minimal supervision.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with clients, vendors, and internal teams.