Digital Project Manager

Spectraforce Technologies; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Spectraforce Technologies in Austin/Westlake, TX seeks a Digital Project Manager to oversee print production for campaigns with a hybrid onsite schedule. Lead production workflows, coordinate with Creative Directors and vendors, and ensure timely delivery of high-quality materials.

Ideal candidates have 2–5 years of print production experience in an agency or design team, and are skilled with Workfront/Basecamp, InDesign, and Photoshop to create native files and accurate proofs.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years' experience managing print production with an agency or internal design team.
• Experience partnering with creative staff and studio production teams.
• Familiarity with Workfront or Basecamp.
• Ability to understand file construction and use Adobe PDF previews.
• Proficiency in InDesign and Photoshop; native source file creation.
• Experience coordinating with third parties on client or vendor projects.
• Ability to write Production Specifications translating file data into instructions.
• Knowledge of paper stocks, coatings, and color outcomes.
• Understanding of purchasing specifics and change requests.
• Experience with procurement systems (e.g., PeopleSoft or Ariba).
• Knowledge of Direct Mail best practices and postal regulations.
• Ability to estimate production times based on specs and quantities.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Manage, document, review, and track work using procurement platforms and PM systems.
• Collaborate with Creative Directors, Designers and vendors from concept to delivery.
• Develop and lead promotional strategies for product launches and campaigns.
• Monitor trends and best practices to inform strategies.
• Coordinate with vendors on file construction and delivery; negotiate costs.
• Manage budgets and advise on options for design deliverables.
• Maintain production timelines and ensure milestone delivery.
• Own production QA including file quality and color accuracy.
• Assess vendor capabilities and conduct competitive bid analysis.
• Develop template design programming for content on demand.
• Understand Direct Mail practices and XML-driven content.
• Track timelines and implement cost-saving measures.

Skills

Print production

Creative collaboration

Workfront/Basecamp

PDF preview

InDesign

Photoshop

Native files

Vendor coordination

Production specs

Paper stocks

Unit costs

Procurement systems

Direct Mail

Production timing

Attention to detail

Tools

Workfront

Basecamp

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Digital Project Manager

Duration: 18 months

Austin or Westlake, TX (Hybrid- 4 days onsite)

Hours: M-F 8 AM - 5 PM

What you will do:

• Use our various procurement platforms and project management systems to manage, document, review, and track the work accurately and timely. Maintain accurate production records and reporting at all times.
• Collaborate with Creative Directors, Designers and outside vendors to take projects from conception to fruition.
• Develop and lead promotional strategies for product launches, seasonal campaigns, and brand initiatives across various channels.
• Monitor competitive trends and industry best practices to inform innovative promotional strategies.
• Work with outside vendors to engineer the project and advise the design/production department of specifics regarding file construction and delivery. Negotiate costs and ensure quality of materials before delivery.
• Manage large budgets and advise internal partners of budgetary options as they relate to design deliverables.
• Manage the project specifications for various deliverables and align schedules internally and externally to ensure delivery milestones are met.
• Develop and track all production timelines for internal partner needs and coordinate various deliverables with outside print vendors.
• Be the ultimate owner of production QA, managing elements around file construction, image quality, resolution, color, fonts, paper stock, design construction, mailing and fulfillment.
• Understanding current vendors, capabilities and easily assess specific vendor pools to direct competitive bid analysis.
• Work with vendors to develop template design programming to generate content on demand that can be personalized.
• Be the expert in Direct Mail practices and constraints. Understand the connection between data files and variable content rendered with the xml transfer.
• Develop and track all production timelines for internal client's needs and coordinating various deliverables with outside print vendors. Develop and implement cost-saving measures.

Requirements:

• 2-5 years' experience managing print production with an agency or internal design team.
• Experience working with creative staff and studio production teams.
• Familiarity with creative workflow systems such as Workfront or Basecamp.
• Ability to understand file construction and utilize Adobe PDF preview.
• Understanding of InDesign, Photoshop and creation of native source files.
• Experience working on Projects with third parties either on the client or vendor side.
• Expertise in writing Production Specifications that translate file information into production instructions.
• Knowledge of paper, stocks, weights, coatings and the ability to understand visual outcomes based on ink configurations a plus.
• Knowledge of purchasing specifics, figuring unit costs and calculating change requests.
• Working knowledge of procurement systems such as Peoplesoft or Ariba, or other purchasing instruments.
• Understanding of Direct Mail best practices and Postal Regulations.
• Ability to estimate production times based upon specifications and quantities needed.
• Strong attention to detail. Ability to work well under pressure