Director, Project Management

ZN001 Zeno US; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 105,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Paid Time Off

Headspace subscription

401(k) plan

ZenoFit wellness stipend

US employee benefits

Job summary

Zeno Group in Chicago seeks a Director of Project Management to lead cross-functional client programs, partner with client teams, finance and leadership to ensure successful delivery of integrated communications initiatives.

This role focuses on bringing clarity to complex programs, optimizing team workflows and driving effective collaboration across multiple disciplines to deliver high-quality client experiences.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of project management experience within an agency environment.
• Experience developing statements of work (SOWs), budgets, forecasting and resource planning.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills.
• Advanced proficiency with Excel, Smartsheet or similar tools for reporting.
• Ability to translate complex information into clear, actionable plans.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects with accountability for on-time, within-scope delivery and business outcomes.
• Collaborate with client teams, finance and contracts on SOWs and budgets.
• Develop estimates, timelines and resource plans; manage risks and changes.
• Coordinate across client teams, resource management and practices for alignment.
• Support leadership with scalable processes and best practices for delivery.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional teamwork

Stakeholder communication

Budget forecasting

Excel/Sheets

Process improvement

Tools

Smartsheet

Excel

Job description

Director, Project Management

We are a global integrated communications agency seeking a Director of Project Management to partner with client teams, finance, and agency leadership to support integrated communications programs across a diverse portfolio of clients.

Job Description

Bring clarity to complex programs and help cross-functional teams work more effectively together.

About the Role

This role is ideal for a collaborative operations leader who enjoys both strategic thinking and hands‑on execution. It involves optimizing how teams work, improving agency processes, and ensuring successful delivery across complex, integrated client engagements.

Responsibilities

• Project Leadership & Operational Excellence: Serve as a strategic partner to account and practice leaders, ensuring client programs are delivered on time, within scope and aligned with business objectives.
• Scope, Budget & Financial Management: Partner with client teams, finance and contracts to develop statements of work (SOWs), manage budgets, monitor project burn, support forecasting and proactively identify scope changes or potential risks.
• Program Planning & Risk Management: Develop project estimates, timelines and resource plans while identifying risks, recommending solutions and helping teams navigate changing priorities.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner across client teams, finance, resource management and specialty practices to align staffing, budgets and workflows across integrated programs.
• Resource Planning & Team Enablement: Work with agency leadership and resource management to align project needs with available talent and ensure teams have the right support to deliver high-quality work.
• Business Operations & New Business Support: Contribute to agency operations by supporting new business planning, developing project estimates and helping establish scalable processes and best practices.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of project management experience within a public relations, advertising, digital, marketing or other agency environment.
• Experience managing integrated client programs, including project planning, budgeting, forecasting and resource management.
• Strong understanding of agency operations and the ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams.
• Experience developing statements of work (SOWs), project estimates and program timelines.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience managing budgets, forecasting and identifying scope changes.
• Advanced proficiency with Excel, Google Sheets, Smartsheet or similar project management and reporting tools.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills, with experience managing multiple priorities and stakeholders.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to facilitate discussions, build alignment and navigate complex operational challenges.
• Ability to bring structure to ambiguity by translating complex information into clear plans and actionable next steps.
• Collaborative mindset with confidence raising questions, identifying risks and recommending solutions.
• Passion for building efficient processes, improving team collaboration and delivering exceptional client experiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting integrated communications or marketing programs across multiple disciplines.
• Experience with agency resource management, financial planning or operational process improvement.
• Familiarity with project management methodologies and workflow optimization tools.

Pay Range

$105,000-$125,000 USD/yr. Compensation is based on education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, location, performance, travel requirements, revenue metrics, and contractual agreements. Bonuses and other benefits may be included.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision insurance with prescription plans, and short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Paid Time Off: vacation, paid holidays, and self‑care time.
• Paid subscription to Headspace and access to mental‑health providers and an employee assistance program.
• 401(k) plan, pretax flexible spending accounts, tuition assistance, life insurance, and a free certified financial coach.
• Monthly allowance (ZenoFit) to fund personal wellness activities.
• Other benefits available to non‑temporary employees in the U.S.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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. Applicants may voluntarily self-identify race, ethnicity, and gender through a company form. Refusal to provide such information will not result in adverse treatment. Information obtained will be retained confidentially and used only in accordance with federal laws, executive orders, and regulations.