Director, Project Management

Zeno Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 105,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Be Kind to Your Mind

401(k) plan

Tuition assistance

Paid Time Off

Headspace subscription

Job summary

Zeno Group is a fiercely independent, global communications agency known for bold, results-driven work. We are seeking a Director, Project Management to lead planning, budgeting and cross-functional execution on our largest global accounts.

You will partner with senior leadership and client teams to drive operational excellence, build scalable processes and ensure programs stay on scope, on budget and on schedule.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of project management, operations or program management experience within an agency or similar professional services environment.
• Experience managing complex, integrated marketing or communications programs across multiple teams and workstreams.
• Strong understanding of agency operations, project lifecycle management, budgeting, forecasting and financial stewardship.
• Experience developing scopes of work, project estimates, timelines and resource plans.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with experience managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Experience partnering with Finance, Resource Management and cross-functional teams to support operational planning and business objectives.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to facilitate alignment across teams and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate complex situations, identify risks and develop practical solutions.
• Advanced proficiency with Excel, Google Sheets, Smartsheet or similar project management and reporting tools.
• Experience managing project documentation, operational reporting and process improvement initiatives.
• Collaborative, adaptable leadership style with a passion for operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead project planning, scopes of work, estimates, timelines and delivery plans.
• Manage budgets, monitor fees and out-of-pocket expenses, support forecasting and ensure financial accuracy.
• Develop and improve project management processes to increase efficiency and visibility.
• Align project plans with account, creative, digital, strategy, finance and specialty teams.
• Plan staffing, identify risks and propose solutions related to scope, timelines and resources.
• Oversee forecasting, reporting and file management to ensure consistency and transparency.
• Serve as a trusted operational advisor to clients and agency leadership.

Skills

Project Planning

Operational Leadership

Financial Forecasting

Budget Management

Risk Management

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Resource Planning

Communication Skills

Process Improvement

Excel/Sheets

Tools

Excel

Google Sheets

Smartsheet

SharePoint

Workfront

Asana

Job description

Zeno Group is the fiercely independent and global, integrated communications agency, born from PR. We bring together the boldest and brightest talent to help clients across industries and sectors unleash the power of strategic communications. Guided by our "Fearless Pursuit of the Unexpected," we push the boundaries to achieve real business value and societal impact for clients. Winner of the industry’s most coveted awards including the 2024 PRWeek U.S. Outstanding Large Agency of the Year, 2023 PRWeek Purpose Agency of the Year, 2022 PRWeek Global Agency of the Year, 2022 PRovoke Best Large Agency to Work For in North America and a three-time winner of PRWeek’s Best Places to Work. Zeno has also been previously recognized by the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Zeno is a DJE Holdings Company.

Job Description

Director, Project Management

Do you enjoy bringing structure to complex, integrated programs? Are you passionate about helping teams deliver exceptional client work through strong operational leadership, financial stewardship and thoughtful project management?

As a Director, Project Management at Zeno, you will partner with senior leadership, client teams and cross-functional specialists to drive operational excellence across one of the agency's largest global accounts. You'll lead project planning, financial management, resource coordination and workflow optimization, helping teams deliver high-quality work while ensuring programs remain on scope, on budget and on schedule.

This role is ideal for an experienced project management leader who thrives in a collaborative agency environment and enjoys building processes that enable teams to do their best work.

About The Role

• Project Planning & Operational Leadership: Lead project planning efforts by developing scopes of work, project estimates, timelines and delivery plans that support successful integrated client programs.
• Financial Management & Forecasting: Partner with Finance and client teams to manage program budgets, monitor agency fees and out-of-pocket expenses, support forecasting and ensure financial accuracy across multiple workstreams.
• Workflow & Process Optimization: Develop and improve project management processes that increase efficiency, strengthen collaboration and provide greater visibility into project status, timelines and deliverables.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with account, creative, digital, strategy, finance and specialty teams to align project plans, facilitate communication and ensure integrated delivery across disciplines.
• Resource Planning & Risk Management: Work closely with Resource Management and department leaders to align staffing with business needs, proactively identify project risks and recommend solutions related to scope, timelines, budgets and resource allocation.
• Operational Reporting & Documentation: Oversee project documentation, reporting and operational processes, including forecasting, proof of performance, quarterly reporting and file management to ensure consistency, accuracy and transparency.
• Team Leadership & Business Partnership: Serve as a trusted operational advisor to client teams and agency leadership while fostering a collaborative environment where people can learn, grow and do their best work.

About You

• 6+ years of project management, operations or program management experience within an agency or similar professional services environment.
• Experience managing complex, integrated marketing or communications programs across multiple teams and workstreams.
• Strong understanding of agency operations, project lifecycle management, budgeting, forecasting and financial stewardship.
• Experience developing scopes of work, project estimates, timelines and resource plans.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with experience managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Experience partnering with Finance, Resource Management and cross-functional teams to support operational planning and business objectives.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to facilitate alignment across teams and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate complex situations, identify risks and develop practical solutions.
• Advanced proficiency with Excel, Google Sheets, Smartsheet or similar project management and reporting tools.
• Experience managing project documentation, operational reporting and process improvement initiatives.
• Collaborative, adaptable leadership style with a passion for operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting large global or integrated agency accounts.
• Experience implementing or improving project management processes and operational workflows.
• Familiarity with SharePoint, Workfront, Asana, Smartsheet or other project management platforms.
• Experience mentoring project managers or leading cross-functional operational initiatives.

Pay Range: $105,000 to $125,000 USD/yr.

An employee’s pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, travel requirements, revenue-based metrics, any contractual agreements, and business or organizational needs. The range listed is just one component of DJEH's total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, a Paid Time Off policy, and region-specific benefits.

Level 06

An employee’s pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, travel requirements, revenue-based metrics, any contractual agreements, and business or organizational needs. The range listed is just one component of DJEH’s total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, a Paid Time Off policy, and region-specific benefits.

About Our Benefits

Healthy, happy employees make Zeno better, so we have programs that support physical, mental and financial wellness. Our culture and benefits are designed to promote flexibility, celebrate diversity and support work/life balance. We offer a variety of medical, dental and vision insurance with prescription plans, as well as short and long-term disability. Our Be Kind to Your Mind program focuses on mental health, providing a paid subscription to Headspace and access to mental health providers and other services through a best-in-class employee assistance program. Employees are encouraged to bring their authentic self to Zeno and participate in our employee resource groups which build communities for sharing and support. And while we love our work, we believe in the restorative power of time off with generous vacation, paid holidays and self-care time. Employees are supported in their pursuit of financial wellness with a 401(k) plan, pretax flexible spending accounts, tuition assistance, life insurance and free access to a certified financial coach. And our unique ZenoFit program provides a monthly allowance to fund activities in your personal life that bring you joy and keep you healthy. These and other benefits are available to non-temporary employees in the US.

Zeno Group, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees. Employment decisions are made on the basis of job-related criteria without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, genetic information, national origin, disability, military, or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law. We invite all applicants to voluntarily self-identify their race, ethnicity, and gender. Submission of the information on this form is strictly voluntary and refusal to provide it will not subject you to any adverse treatment. Information obtained will be retained in a confidential file and separate from personnel records. This information may only be used in accordance with the provision of applicable federal laws, executive orders, and regulations. If you want more information about any of the sections, please check with a company representative.