Strategic Program Director: Delivery & Impact

Edelman; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Edelman seeks a strategic Vice President, Program Director to lead integrated client programs from planning through execution. You will oversee multiple workstreams, drive delivery strategies, and ensure financial health while mentoring a high-performing PM team.

You will partner with cross-functional teams to scope opportunities, staff projects, and maintain governance. This role emphasizes scalable workflows, operational excellence, and inclusive leadership in a dynamic agency setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
• 8+ years in progressive project management within marketing/PR or services.
• Experience leading large-scale integrated programs across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior program management lead across a portfolio of integrated client engagements, providing strategic oversight for multiple workstreams, teams and disciplines.
• Define delivery strategies, project approaches and governance models that drive successful execution from kickoff through completion.
• Partner with Account, Strategy, Creative, Production and Specialty teams to evaluate new opportunities, develop scopes of work, staffing plans, timelines and budgets, ensuring proposed solutions are operationally and financially sustainable.
• Lead project planning, financial management and forecasting to ensure programs are delivered on time, within scope and profitably.
• Oversee project managers responsible for day-to-day delivery, providing coaching, guidance and escalation support throughout project lifecycles.
• Anticipate risks, proactively resolve issues and lead change management processes while balancing client expectations, business objectives and team needs.
• Drive conversations with clients related to delivery strategy, project health, financial performance and operational excellence, including discussions scope, delivery options, trade-offs and commercial implications.
• Partner with Finance and Resource Management to maintain accurate forecasting, staffing plans and approved statements of work.
• Champion project management standards, tools and best practices that improve consistency, transparency and operational efficiency across integrated teams.
• Establish scalable workflows and delivery frameworks that support evolving client needs while maintaining quality and accountability.
• Establish and oversee quality control, review and approval processes across project deliverables and integrated workstreams.
• Lead, mentor and develop Project Management talent by providing ongoing coaching, performance feedback and career development opportunities.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative team culture that encourages continuous learning, operational excellence and innovation.
• Support the growth of the Project Management discipline by contributing to firm-wide initiatives, workforce planning, training and broader operational improvement efforts.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Program management

Team building

Client relationship management

AI fluency

Budgeting and forecasting

Executive presence

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Smartsheet

PM tools

Job description

Edelman seeks a strategic Vice President, Program Director to lead integrated client programs from planning through execution. You will oversee multiple workstreams, drive delivery strategies, and ensure financial health while mentoring a high-performing PM team.

You will partner with cross-functional teams to scope opportunities, staff projects, and maintain governance. This role emphasizes scalable workflows, operational excellence, and inclusive leadership in a dynamic agency setting.