Sales Project Operations - Alliance Relationship

Wunderman Thompson (DBA VML); Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

WPP Enterprise Solutions (VML) seeks an Alliance Sales Project Operations professional to coordinate joint Adobe sales pursuits for anchor clients. You will drive alignment across multi‑stakeholder teams, plan workshops, manage escalations, and maintain clear cadence and accountability.

In this role, you will orchestrate smooth handoffs to delivery, contribute to process improvements, and nurture relationships with Adobe and internal sales, solution, and delivery teams.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in a project operations, alliance operations, sales operations, program management, or similar coordination‑focused role, ideally within a global enterprise software or consulting environment.
• Demonstrated experience in partner ecosystem management, coordinating joint sales efforts or GTM activities with major software vendors.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders across different organizations, driving initiatives from initiation to handoff.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships at all levels.
• Strong problem‑solving and conflict resolution capabilities with a track record of addressing operational challenges.
• Highly organized and detail‑oriented, with proactive cadence, tracking actions, and accountability.
• Proficiency with project management tools (Jira, Asana, MS Project) and CRM systems (Salesforce).
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Project Management, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Alliance Pursuit Coordination: Own end‑to‑end coordination with Adobe for active sales pursuits.
• Workshop & Engagement Facilitation: Plan, execute, and follow‑up kickoff workshops and alignment sessions.
• Escalation Management & Resolution: Identify and resolve operational issues that arise during joint pursuits.
• Cadence & Communication Excellence: Maintain robust communication cadence between internal and Adobe teams.
• Seamless Handoff to Delivery: Ensure information transfer to delivery teams after winning engagements.
• Operational Process Enhancement: Identify best practices to scale alliance operations globally.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build trusted relationships with Adobe and internal teams.

Skills

5+ years experience

Partner ecosystem management

Project management

Communication

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Jira

Asana

MS Project

Salesforce

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Marketing/Project Management

Tools

Jira

Asana

Microsoft Project

Salesforce

Job description

Who We Are

WPP Enterprise Solutions designs, builds, and operates the growth systems that competitive businesses rely on. In a world where AI is reshaping how companies drive growth, we lead clients in business transformation and marketing modernization, connecting strategy directly to execution. Our 12,000 experts in engineering and platforms, commerce, consulting, content transformation, CRM, and CX work within a unified global operating unit across 40+ markets. WPP Enterprise Solutions works alongside best‑in‑class partners including Adobe, AWS, Braze, Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Shopify, as well as innovators in AI, to deliver growth solutions tailored to the needs of our clients’ businesses. VML, part of WPP, supports WPP Enterprise Solutions by helping brands activate transformation through creativity and experience.

We are seeking a highly organized, proactive, and relationship‑driven Alliance Sales Project Operations professional to be a critical lynchpin within our Global Adobe Alliance team. This role is instrumental in orchestrating the successful coordination and execution of joint sales pursuits with Adobe for our most strategic "Anchor" clients. Drawing on a blend of project management, stakeholder engagement, and problem‑solving skills, you will ensure seamless collaboration, clear communication, and efficient progression of jointly identified opportunities, ultimately contributing to the growth and success of our global alliance.

Key Responsibilities

As an Adobe Alliance Sales Project Operations specialist, you will be empowered to drive alignment and execution across complex, multi‑stakeholder initiatives:

• Alliance Pursuit Coordination: Own the end‑to‑end coordination with Adobe for active sales pursuits focused on our mutually agreed‑upon "Anchor" clients, ensuring all joint activities are aligned, tracked, and moving forward efficiently.
• Workshop & Engagement Facilitation: Lead the planning, execution, and follow‑up of kickoff workshops and strategic alignment sessions between our respective teams, ensuring clear outcomes, assigned actions, and accountability.
• Escalation Management & Resolution: Proactively identify, address, and resolve operational or engagement‑related escalation issues that arise during joint pursuits, acting as a critical bridge between our organizations to maintain momentum and positive working relationships.
• Cadence & Communication Excellence: Establish and maintain a robust communication cadence, ensuring transparent and timely information exchange between all relevant internal and Adobe teams, fostering a collaborative and well‑informed environment.
• Seamless Handoff to Delivery: Orchestrate the graceful and effective transition of jointly won client engagements to the designated delivery teams, ensuring all pertinent information, context, and client expectations are thoroughly communicated for successful project commencement.
• Operational Process Enhancement: Contribute to the continuous improvement of our joint pursuit processes, identifying best practices and efficiencies to scale our alliance operations globally.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and nurture strong, trusted relationships with key counterparts at Adobe and within our internal sales, solution, and delivery teams, promoting a unified approach to client engagement.

Qualifications

To thrive in this critical operational and alliance‑focused role, we are looking for a professional with a background indicative of strategic thinking, robust project management, and exceptional interpersonal skills, similar to those excelling in relationship director or alliance management capacities.

Required Skills & Experience

• 5+ years of experience in a project operations, alliance operations, sales operations, program management, or similar coordination‑focused role, ideally within a global enterprise software or consulting environment.
• Demonstrated experience in partner ecosystem management, specifically coordinating joint sales efforts or GTM activities with a major software vendor (e.g., Adobe, SAP, Oracle, Workday).
• Proven ability to manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders across different organizations, driving initiatives from initiation to successful handoff.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate complex situations clearly, influence without direct authority, and build strong relationships at all levels.
• Strong problem‑solving and conflict resolution capabilities, with a track record of addressing and resolving operational challenges effectively and diplomatically.
• Highly organized and detail‑oriented, with a proactive approach to managing cadences, tracking actions, and ensuring accountability.
• Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana, Microsoft Project), CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), and collaboration platforms.
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Project Management, or a related field.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Direct experience working with or within the Adobe ecosystem, understanding their sales motions and partner programs.
• Experience in a global role, navigating cultural nuances and time zones effectively.
• Certification in Project Management (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) or Agile methodologies.
• Experience in a client‑facing role within a consulting or professional services organization.

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.

$60,000 — $140,000 USD

WPP (VML/WPP Enterprise Solutions) 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.