Program Manager (Health)

twentysix; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Hybrid work model

Growth opportunities

Job summary

VML Health is seeking a Program Manager to build, coach, and lead teams to deliver health-focused projects. You will monitor process across the brand portfolio, manage client relationships, and drive project deliverables to meet deadlines.

Ideal candidates have 6+ years in marketing agency project management, with pharma brand experience, strong leadership, and excellent communication. This role supports a hybrid work model in the United States.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of project management experience in a marketing agency with pharmaceutical brands.
• Proactive problem-solving, strong leadership, and accountable for project financials and timelines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• PMP Certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage a program of projects for health clients, including defining dependencies and prioritization of workload.
• Continuously monitor project health via resourcing, profitability and burn rates.
• Work closely with Client Engagement and Delivery teams to architect solutions meeting client requirements.
• Become an expert in our health clients’ medical/legal/regulatory review processes.
• Create/draft scopes of work and change orders.
• Own resourcing for each project with discipline leads and resourcing management.
• Support creation of RFP responses with other teams within VML Health and new business engagement.
• Manage internal teams and client relationships in alignment with Client Engagement team.
• Maintain direct client relationships with Product Owners and client management leadership.
• Interview and recommend hires at Project Manager and Senior Project Manager levels.
• Serve as a key contact for cross-divisional teams and management.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Team management

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

PMP Certification

Job description

Who We Are

VML is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and award-winning human-first work for clients including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. In 2026, VML was named Campaign’s Global Network of the Year and ranked #2 Creative Network of the Year at Cannes Lions. VML’s global network spans 55+ markets with principal offices in Buenos Aires, Kansas City, London, New York, São Paulo, Shanghai and Singapore.

VML is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel.

For more information, please visit www.vml.com and follow along on LinkedIn #WeAreVML.

About VML Health:

VML HEALTH is a global healthcare agency that partners with healthcare clients across a broad definition of health, from high science to wellness and everything in between. It operates fluidly within the VML agency, as a core group of health specialists (a ‘vertical’) that has the benefit of autonomy in management, but with support of non-health expertise.

At the heart of health is the story of life – all the highs and lows, ambitions, and possibilities. But facing a health challenge can suddenly pull people away from these stories, knocking them off course.

Our purpose is to bridge this gap, bringing people closer to life and all its meaning. We gain a deeper understanding of Healthcare Professionals’ and patients’ needs, behaviors and lived experiences through what we call ‘radical empathy’.

VML Health creates connected brands that get to the heart, bringing people closer to the lives they want to live. Get to the heart. Connect for life.

What We're Looking For:

The Program Manager is responsible for building, coaching, and leading teams to ensure successful delivery of projects by monitoring and managing against process across the brand portfolio. VML Health needs individuals who are proactive problem solvers that can manage team dynamics, manage project financial performance, clearly communicate status, and drive project deliverables to meet deadlines.

What You'll Do:

• Manage a program of projects for our health clients, including defining project dependencies and prioritization of workload

• Continuously monitor project health via resourcing, profitability and burn rates

• Work closely with Client Engagement and Delivery teams to architect solutions that best meet client requirements

• Become an expert in our health clients’ medical/legal/regulatory review processes

• Create/draft scopes of work and change orders

• Own resourcing for each project by working closely with discipline leads and resourcing management to determine assignments

• Support creation of RFP responses with other teams within VML Health and new business engagement

• Manage internal teams and client relationships in alignment with Client Engagement team

• Maintain direct client relationships with Product Owners and client management leadership

• Responsible for interviewing and making recommendations to hire at the Project Manager and Senior Project Manager levels

• Serve as a key point of contact and liaison for cross-divisional teams, agency peers and management

Who You Are and What You Bring:

• 6+ years of project management experience including working at a marketing agency and experience working with pharmaceutical brands

• Ability to provide proactive and assertive leadership in problem-solving, managing financial success of projects, maintaining timelines, and reducing inefficiencies

• Strong interpersonal skills and able to resolve conflict with productive outcomes

• Ability to effectively work across departments with diplomacy and a firm understanding of other’s roles and perspectives

• Ability to manage multiple work-streams effectively and efficiently

• Extensive team management skills for teams of 5+

• Ability to view problems in context at the system level and align solutions with the strategic direction of our clients and company

• Proactive, adaptable, and flexible

• Life-long learner, demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement

• Strong attention to detail

• Demonstrable ability to operate under tight deadline with complex business/technical solutions

• Ability to manage workload with minimal supervision

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• PMP Certification preferred

What You'll Need:

• Proven experience in program management within a marketing agency, with a focus on healthcare clients.

• Strong understanding of project management methodologies and tools.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and teams effectively.

• Problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

What we offer:

• **Passionate, driven people | We champion a culture of people that do extraordinary work.

• **Consciously cultivated culture | We aim to embody the behaviors to build an inclusive community that is in it together, bringing both positivity and active listening into the workplace as we simultaneously strive to empower creative bravery.

• Competitive benefits | What we offer full time hires ranges from the full spectrum of group health coverage options (medical, dental, vision) to a generous 401k match (100% dollar-for-dollar match, up to 5% of salary contribution), and a variety of paid time off offerings that reflect our investment in all aspects of your overall life balance and wellness.

• Growth-minded opportunities | We aim to nurture a culture of real-time feedback, growth-oriented mindset, and plenty of training opportunities through VML and WPP, so you can continue to grow personally and professionally.

#vmlhealthcareers

The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, click WPP Benefits for more details.

_$60,000—$140,000 USDWe believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.