Senior Project Manager

WPP Company; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

WPP Production is seeking a Senior Project Manager for HEX to lead AI-driven production initiatives, bridging creative teams with AI engineers and developers. You will translate frontier tech ambitions into structured, on‑time, on‑budget deliverables in a fast‑growing studio environment.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in creative tech, strong Agile experience, and proven ability to manage multi‑stakeholder projects while maintaining financial discipline, in a hybrid work setting based in the

Qualifications

• 5+ years in creative tech / digital production.
• Hands-on AI & innovation track record.
• Experience across matrixed agency environments.
• Agile certification or equivalent practice.

Responsibilities

• AI & frontier tech delivery across the project lifecycle.
• Scope and build bespoke production workflows with technical leads.
• Identify, evaluate and manage risks including beta software, IP boundaries and changing scopes.
• Serve as trusted delivery partner for HEX teams, agency leads and brand partners.
• Educate clients and stakeholders in AI‑assisted workflows and rapid iteration.
• Take end-to-end accountability for budgets of $250K+ and ensure profitability.
• Apply hybrid Agile methodologies to balancing speed with deadlines.
• Define SOPs, pilot evaluation frameworks and delivery playbooks for AI-native production.
• Capture learnings to scale AI workflows across WPP Production and the network.

Skills

Technical literacy

Fluid scope management

Commercial & financial acumen

Cross-disciplinary translation

Adaptive leadership

Job description

About WPP Production

We are WPP Production - the unified global production company that brings together all of WPP's content producers, studios and craft experts into one connected organisation. We combine world-class human craft with next generation technology to originate, design, and deliver multi-channel content systems at scale. Built for borderless collaboration and powered by deep craft expertise, we are the production engine designed for today's always on, AI driven marketing world.

About WPP Production

We are WPP Production - the unified global production company that brings together all of WPP's content producers, studios and craft experts into one connected organisation. We combine world-class human craft with next generation technology to originate, design, and deliver multi-channel content systems at scale. Built for borderless collaboration and powered by deep craft expertise, we are the production engine designed for today's always on, AI driven marketing world.

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting‑edge media intelligence and data solutions, world‑class creativity, next‑generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.

A Hybrid working model

We 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 around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

What does a Senior Project Manager for Hex do at WPP Production?

As Senior Project Manager for HEX, you will be at the operational heart of HEX Studio. You will drive the scoping, delivery, and scaling of highly experimental, AI‑native production workflows, innovation workstreams, and commercial proofs‑of‑concept. To learn more about the Hex Studio: https://www.wpp.com/en/news/wpp-launches-hex-creating-a-new-kind-of-talent-pipeline-designed-for-the-ai-era. This role requires a rare blend of creative tech literacy, delivery discipline, and commercial acumen. You will act as the crucial translator between client/agency leadership and specialized technical teams (AI engineers, creative technologists, developers)—turning frontier tech ambitions into structured, high‑impact deliverables on time and on budget.

Key Responsibilities

• AI & Frontier Tech Delivery
• End-to-End Delivery: Lead the project lifecycle for complex AI and creative technology initiatives—spanning generative AI asset pipelines, agentic tools, spatial/interactive experiences, and rapid prototyping.
• Pipeline & System Architecture Support: Partner with technical leads to scope and build bespoke production workflows, ensuring fluid handoffs between traditional creative teams and AI‑enabled pipelines.
• Beta Tech & Risk Management: Proactively identify, evaluate, and manage technical, legal, and operational risks inherent to working with beta software, emerging AI models, IP boundaries, and fluid technical scopes.
• Strategic Client & Stakeholder Leadership
• Forward‑Deployed Leadership: Serve as a trusted delivery partner for forward‑deployed HEX teams, agency leads, and brand partners, articulating complex technical concepts into clear strategic choices and actionable milestones.
• Education & Enablement: Guide clients and agency stakeholders through the shift toward AI‑assisted workflows, building confidence in rapid iteration, experimentation, and iterative learning.
• Financial & Agile Governance
• Financial Control: Take end-to-end accountability for project budgets ($250K+ individual budget size), managing resource allocation, burn rates, margin targets, and financial reconciliations with precision.
• Hybrid Agile Methodologies: Adapt and apply Agile/Scrum frameworks tailored to creative technology R&D—balancing sprint speed and rapid feedback loops with commercial deadlines.
• Operational Scaling & Knowledge Transfer
• Best Practice Definition: Establish standard operating procedures, pilot evaluation frameworks, and delivery playbooks for AI‑native production within HEX.
• Network Scaling: Oversee post‑project documentation, capturing learnings from pilot programs and R&D workstreams to scale successful AI workflows across WPP Production and the broader WPP agency network.

Core Competencies & Skills

• Technical Literacy: Practical understanding of modern generative AI tools, diffusion models, LLMs, agentic workflows, and real‑time engines (e.g., Unreal Engine/Unity) applied to creative production.
• Scope & Fluidity Management: Proven ability to bring structure, clarity, and control to highly complex, fluid, and experimental tech scopes without stifling creative innovation.
• Commercial & Financial Acumen: Rigorous budget management skills, with a track record of running $250K+ engagements profitably while managing complex resource models.
• Cross‑Disciplinary Translation: Exceptional communication skills with the ability to bridge conversation between technologists, creative teams, client leaders, and legal/procurement teams.
• Adaptive Leadership: Comfort with ambiguity, rapid technological shift, and pioneering new delivery models in a high‑growth studio environment.

Experience

• 5+ Years in Creative Tech / Digital Production: Proven experience as a Project Manager or Producer in a creative agency, innovation lab, or creative tech studio.
• Hands‑On AI & Innovation Track Record: Demonstrated experience delivering complex technical projects involving AI integration, custom workflows, or interactive technology from initial concept through to final deployment.
• Multi‑Stakeholder Environments: Track record of operating successfully across matrixed agency environments, client‑embedded teams, and third‑party tech partners.
• Agile Certification or Equivalent Practice: Exposure to or practical experience with Agile, Scrum, or Kanban methodologies applied to creative technology.

Desirable Skills

• Direct experience helping to define new commercial or operational models for creative production.
• Experience building or managing production pipelines as the primary project deliverable.
• Active personal engagement and ongoing experimentation with emerging AI models, tools, and developer platforms.

US Pay Range

$60,000—$140,000 USD

Why work here

At WPP Production, you’ll help shape the future of content production at a truly global scale. We bring together world‑class talent, cutting‑edge studios, and advanced technology to solve some of the most complex creative and production challenges in the industry. You’ll work in a collaborative, borderless environment where craft excellence is valued, innovation is encouraged, and AI and next‑generation tools are used to amplify not replace human creativity. With access to diverse projects, global career opportunities, and the backing of WPP’s unmatched network, this is a place where you can grow your skills, make real impact, and create work that performs for every audience, across every channel, at every moment.

Inclusion and Impact

WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular 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.

Data

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