Program Manager - Experience Design and Development

Merkle Italia; Maryland; Hybrid; USD 94,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, and dental insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance (short/long term)

401k

Flexible paid time off

15+ paid holidays per year

Paid sick and safe leave

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Dentsu is seeking a seasoned program leader to shape vision, drive outcomes, and ensure delivery across multi-workstream initiatives within the Merkle brand. You will lead cross-functional teams, manage budgets, and ensure governance while aligning with strategic business objectives.

You will engage senior stakeholders, deliver clear communications, and manage risks and dependencies in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• At least 12 months' recent experience on a SAFe team.
• Proven success leading complex, multi-workstream programs.
• Background delivering alongside technology teams in the web or digital space (web platforms, CMS, digital experience, or similar).
• Adobe stack experience is a plus.
• Strong leadership, team-building, and conflict resolution skills with the confidence to guide teams and clients.

Responsibilities

• Shape the Vision & Drive Outcomes, translating strategy into actionable objectives.
• Lead programs end-to-end ensuring delivery of key business outcomes and measurable benefits.
• Champion ethical, responsible decision-making across stakeholders.
• Stand up and lead cross-functional program teams with project managers and specialists.
• Forecast budgets, track financial performance, and align outputs with business goals.
• Design and implement governance, reporting, and assurance frameworks.

Skills

SAFe

Multi-workstream leadership

Web/digital experience

Adobe stack

Leadership & conflict resolution

Governance & financial management

Stakeholder management & communication

Proactive/adaptable mindset

Tools

Adobe stack

Job description

What You’ll Do

• Shape the Vision & Drive Outcomes
• Define and translate program strategy into clear, actionable objectives
• Lead programs end-to-end, ensuring delivery of key business outcomes and measurable benefits
• Champion ethical, responsible decision-making across all stakeholders

Build & Lead High-Performing Teams

• Stand up and lead cross-functional program teams, including project managers and specialists
• Foster collaboration, innovation, and accountability across diverse groups
• Resolve conflicts, influence stakeholders, and keep teams aligned and motivated

Own Delivery & Execution

• Manage program budgets, forecasts, and financial performance
• Ensure alignment between program outputs and business goals
• Track, measure, and deliver benefits outlined in the business case

Establish Strong Governance & Controls

• Design and implement effective program governance, reporting, and assurance frameworks
• Monitor performance, proactively address risks, and ensure program integrity
• Drive consistency and excellence across all project workstreams

Navigate Complexity with Confidence

• Manage dependencies across multiple initiatives and teams
• Secure and optimize resources across internal and external partners
• Lead risk and issue management with a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset

Engage & Influence Stakeholders

• Build trusted relationships with senior leaders, clients, and cross-functional teams
• Deliver clear, compelling communication at every level
• Act as the connective tissue across teams to ensure alignment and success

What You Bring

• At least 12 months' recent experience working in a SAFe team. SAFe certification is a plus
• Proven success leading complex, multi-workstream programs
• A background delivering alongside technology teams in the web or digital space - web platforms, CMS, digital experience, or similar.
• Adobe stack experience is a plus
• Strong leadership, team-building, and conflict resolution skills with the confidence and presence to guide both your team and the clients
• Deep experience in governance, financial management, and benefits realization
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication abilities
• A proactive, adaptable mindset with the ability to thrive in fast-paced environments

Why Join Us

This is your opportunity to lead meaningful, high-visibility programs that drive real transformation. You’ll collaborate with talented teams, solve complex challenges, and make a lasting impact on the business. Ready to lead, inspire, and deliver at scale? Let’s talk. At dentsu, we believe great work happens when we’re connected. Our way of working combines flexibility with in-person collaboration to spark ideas and strengthen our teams. Employees who live within a commutable distance of one of our hub offices, currently located in Chicago, metro Detroit, Los Angeles, and New York City, are required and expected to work from the office three days per week (two days per week for employees based in Los Angeles). Dentsu may designate other Hub offices at any time. Those who live outside a commutable range may be designated as remote, depending on the role and business needs. Regardless of your work location, we expect our employees to be flexible to meet the needs of our Company and clients, which may include attendance in an office.

The annual salary range for this position is $94,000 - $150,000. Placement within the salary range is based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and other factors permitted by law.

Benefits available with this position include:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• 401k
• Flexible paid time off
• At least 15 paid holidays per year
• Paid sick and safe leave
• Paid parental leave

Dentsu also complies with applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, in accordance with its plans and policies. For further details regarding Dentsu benefits, please visit www.dentsubenefitsplus.com.

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Location: USA - Remote - Maryland

Brand: Merkle

Time Type: Full time

Contract Type: Permanent

Dentsu is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. We do this without regard to race, color, national origin, sex , sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, political affiliation, religious practices and observances, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Dentsu is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to, among others, individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to search and apply for a career opportunity with us, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] by clicking on the link to let us know the nature of your accommodation request and your contact information. We are here to support you.

About dentsu For over 120 years, innovation is a core tenet of our offering – exploring new ways to reach, engage and nurture relationships with audiences. Together we drive a multiplier effect for clients at a global scale, through the development of Integrated Growth Solutions that are underpinned by our promise to clients: innovating to impact. Be a force for good. Sustainability is a vital part of our business and an important area of focus for our clients. We’re leading the way – helping to build a more sustainable planet. Dream loud. In this moment of transformation, we need our people to be fearful, embracing change and ambiguity, driven by the love for their work and excitement for the future. Team without limits. We create opportunities for connection and collaboration between our colleagues and clients, building a sense of belonging and having some fun along the way. Find out more about us Who we are Our Social Impact Our work