Senior Manager, Special Projects

Hearst Magazines; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 88,000 - 106,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Innovative training programs

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k) with company match

Job summary

An influential media company in New York is seeking a Senior Manager for Special Projects to lead high-impact initiatives across editorial, product, and marketing teams. The role requires over 5 years of experience in project management within digital media or e-commerce. You'll oversee project planning, facilitate meetings, and drive accountability among cross-functional teams, while mentoring direct reports. Competitive salary range of $88K–$106K, alongside innovative benefits and a flexible hybrid work model.

Qualifications

• Experience in digital media, content, or e-commerce required.
• Strong communicator who summarizes complex updates effectively.
• Experience mentoring and developing direct reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end project management for special initiatives.
• Develop and maintain project plans and communication cadences.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to coordinate efforts.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Organization

Facilitation

People management

Proficiency in Excel/Sheets

Education

5+ years of experience in project or program management

PMP, CSM, or similar certifications (bonus)

Tools

Asana

Smartsheet

Jira

Airtable

Job description

Senior Manager, Special Projects

Join Hearst Magazines as a Senior Manager, Special Projects and lead high-impact initiatives that shape the future of our commerce business. In this role, you’ll orchestrate key cross‑functional projects that span editorial, product, marketing, and beyond—making a measurable impact across some of the most iconic brands in media.

Overview

Do you thrive on bringing order to complexity and driving momentum across teams?

About Hearst Magazines

Hearst Magazines’ portfolio of more than 30 iconic brands in the U.S.—including Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Esquire, Good Housekeeping, Harper’s BAZAAR, and Popular Mechanics—inspires, entertains, and builds new and bold experiences for an engaged and growing audience. We reach nearly 130 million readers and site visitors each month across digital, video, social, and print. With sophisticated content creation, cutting‑edge technology, and industry‑leading data capabilities, we make media and products that move people across all platforms.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end project management for special initiatives across the commerce division—from scoping and planning through execution and delivery
• Develop and maintain project plans, roadmaps, and communication cadences; facilitate kickoffs, stand‑ups, status meetings, and post‑mortems
• Create clear, actionable documentation including briefs, RACIs, requirements, timelines, and dashboards
• Partner with cross‑functional teams (e.g., editorial, product, marketing, operations, audience, BI, and legal) to coordinate efforts and remove roadblocks
• Monitor risks, manage change requests, and expedite issues as needed to keep projects moving forward
• Streamline workflows and implement process improvements for repeatable, high‑quality delivery
• Build lightweight KPI reporting and dashboards to share progress and outcomes with stakeholders and leadership

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in project or program management, ideally in digital media, content, or e‑commerce
• Exceptionally organized, proactive, and detail‑oriented; comfortable juggling multiple high‑stakes projects
• Strong communicator who can distill complex updates into clear, actionable summaries for stakeholders
• Skilled in project management tools such as Asana, Smartsheet, Jira, Airtable, or similar
• Proficient in Excel/Sheets and Google Slides for planning and reporting
• Confident facilitator who drives meetings, decisions, and accountability across teams
• People‑management experience with a track record of mentoring and developing direct reports
• Bonus: PMP, CSM, or similar certifications; experience scaling project management practices across an organization
• Hybrid work environment: 4 days per week in the NYC office

Benefits

• Work with the Best: collaborate with top‑tier professionals across media, advertising, tech, fashion, lifestyle, and publishing
• Grow Your Skills: unlock your potential with access to innovative training programs, immersive workshops, and exclusive industry events
• Work‑Life Harmony: enjoy the flexibility of hybrid work, empowering you to balance professional success with personal priorities
• Foster Connection & belonging: join our Employee Resource Groups and help create a welcoming workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered
• Wellness First: prioritize your well‑being with a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance from Day 1
• Plan for your financial future: enjoy competitive financial perks, including a 401(k) plan with a generous company match

Salary

The base salary for this role is between $88,000 – $106,000. The actual base pay offered is dependent upon many factors, such as transferable skills, work experience, business needs and market demands. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Hearst is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.