Director, Project Management

twentysix; New York (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 152,000; Part time

Job summary

Real Chemistry is seeking a Freelance Project Manager to join our growing team. This six-month, 40 hour/week engagement focuses on operational and strategic initiatives within Real Chemistry Media, partnering with leadership to drive multi-stakeholder projects and improve processes.

The pay range is $80-$110/hour (USD) and the role requires a strong media agency background; ideal candidates have 8+ years PM experience, PMP a plus, and experience with Mediaocean.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of project or program management experience, including cross-functional initiatives.
• Media agency experience required in healthcare, pharmaceutical, or life sciences marketing.
• Experience partnering with operational stakeholders to improve processes, workflows, and organizational effectiveness.
• Familiarity with media operations, campaign workflows, resource management, and related agency functions.
• Experience working with agency platforms and technologies such as Mediaocean and other media management tools.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence across teams and levels.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage ambiguity in fast-paced environments.
• PMP or related project management certification is a plus.
• Healthcare, pharmaceutical, or life sciences agency experience is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support high-priority operational and business transformation initiatives across the media organization.
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders across media, operations, finance, technology, and client-facing teams to drive project execution and alignment.
• Build and manage project plans, timelines, risks, dependencies, and status reporting for leadership stakeholders.
• Facilitate working sessions and drive decision-making across multiple teams and functions.
• Identify process improvement opportunities and recommend scalable solutions that improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Support operational excellence initiatives, workflow optimization efforts, and technology-related projects across the media organization.
• Manage project communications and provide executive-ready updates to leadership teams.
• Ensure successful implementation and adoption of new processes, tools, and ways of working.

Skills

Project management

Media agency experience

Stakeholder management

Communication

Facilitation

Ambiguity management

Certification (PMP)

Healthcare/Life sciences experience

Tools

Mediaocean

Agency platforms

Job description

At Real Chemistry, making the world a healthier place isn’t just an aspiration—it’s our everyday reality. Our drive to transform healthcare is informed by our blend of deep scientific expertise, human-centred creativity, and AI-driven insights, fostering a unique environment where innovation thrives and our people are impact-obsessed. As a global agency, we provide a full suite of services across healthcare communications and marketing to our clients, including top players in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.

Our #LifeatRealChem culture is rooted in our people—we believe we are best together and are committed to excellence for both our clients and colleagues. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career, if you share our passion for healthcare and connection, we invite you to explore our opportunities.

Discover your purpose. Embrace innovation. Experience #LifeatRealChem.

Real Chemistry is looking for a Freelance Project Manager to join our growing team!

We are seeking an experienced Director-level Project Manager to support strategic operational initiatives within Real Chemistry Media, our integrated media organization. This individual will partner closely with media, operations, technology, finance, and other cross-functional stakeholders to drive complex projects, improve processes, support organizational initiatives, and help advance key business priorities.

This is a six-month, 40 hour/week freelance engagement ideal for someone with a strong media agency background, exceptional project leadership skills, and experience navigating complex, multi-stakeholder environments. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable driving day-to-day execution and partnering with senior leaders to ensure initiatives are delivered effectively and sustainably.

The role will focus on supporting operational and strategic initiatives across Real Chemistry Media and will work closely with leadership and cross-functional teams to advance key business priorities. The pay range is $80-$110/hour (USD), commensurate with experience and qualifications.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and support high-priority operational and business transformation initiatives across the media organization.
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders across media, operations, finance, technology, and client-facing teams to drive project execution and alignment.
• Build and manage project plans, timelines, risks, dependencies, and status reporting for leadership stakeholders.
• Facilitate working sessions and drive decision-making across multiple teams and functions.
• Identify process improvement opportunities and recommend scalable solutions that improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Support operational excellence initiatives, workflow optimization efforts, and technology-related projects across the media organization.
• Manage project communications and provide executive-ready updates to leadership teams.
• Ensure successful implementation and adoption of new processes, tools, and ways of working.

What You Should Have

• 8+ years of project or program management experience, including experience leading complex cross-functional initiatives.
• Media agency experience required, preferably within pharmaceutical, healthcare, or life sciences marketing environments.
• Experience partnering with operational stakeholders and leading initiatives that improve processes, workflows, and organizational effectiveness.
• Familiarity with media operations, campaign workflows, resource management, financial processes, or related agency operations functions.
• Experience working with agency platforms and technologies such as Mediaocean and other media management tools.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and drive alignment across multiple teams and levels of the organization.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage ambiguity and operate effectively in fast-paced environments.
• PMP or related project management certification is a plus.
• Healthcare, pharmaceutical, or life sciences agency experience is strongly preferred.

Pay Range: $100.00-$125.00/hour

This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on job-related, non-discriminatory factors including but not limited to work experience, skills, certifications, and geographical location. The Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time.

Real Chemistry is proud to be Great Place to Work certified; check out what our people shared about our culture and workplace on our Great Places to Work Profile here.

We believe we can do our best when feeling our best, which is why we’ve put together a benefits program designed to give you the support you and your family need at every stage of life. Real Chemistry offers a comprehensive benefit program and perks, tailored to your region.

• free snacks to keep you running all day long
• generous holiday and paid time off
• options for private medical, dental, and vison plans
• support in saving for the future
• mental wellness coaching and support
• access to more than 13,000 online classes with LinkedIn Learning

Learn more about our great benefits and perks and search specific offerings in your region at: www.realchemistrybenefits.com.

At Real Chemistry, we believe we're at our best when we're connected. Our Real Hybrid and Regional Teams (Real HART) approach is designed to foster collaboration, learning, innovation, and meaningful relationships while providing flexibility where appropriate. Because our workforce spans multiple countries, regions, and client needs, work arrangements may vary by role and location. Some positions offer hybrid or remote flexibility, while others require regular in-office presence. For example, certain teams and regions, including some of our UK operations, have office-based requirements. Your recruiter will discuss the specific expectations for the role you're pursuing during the interview process and keep you informed throughout the hiring journey. For employees located within a one-hour commute of a Real Chemistry office, we require in-person attendance two days per week, either from a Real Chemistry office or when working onsite with clients. Employees in regions without a nearby office may work remotely and come together throughout the year for collaboration, culture-building, learning, and team connection opportunities. While these guidelines reflect our current workplace model, we understand that everyone’s circumstances are unique. If you require additional flexibility, we welcome an open conversation with your recruiter and our HR team to discuss your needs and determine what may be possible.

Real Chemistry is an Equal Opportunity employer. We continually strive to build and sustain an inclusive and equitable work environment where our employees feel empowered to leverage all they bring from their personal lived experience and professional expertise, to make our team the best in the industry. We encourage motivated and qualified applicants to apply without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, ethnic or national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local employment discrimination laws where Real Chemistry operates. Should you require accommodations throughout the interview process please let your recruiter know.