Associate Director, Project Management

WHY DEPT

We are a Growth Invention company built to help the worlds most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing we create what is next by pioneering ideas acting fast and moving further because standing still just is not in our DNA.

We are drawn to people who stay curious move with intent and never stop inventing. Our culture runs on three values: better together relentlessly curious and get sh*t done. It is how we work how we grow and how we make things that matter.

At DEPT you will find the freedom to explore the space to collaborate and the trust to make a real impact for our clients for each other and for the world we are helping to build.

THE ROLE:

Were looking for an Associate Director Project Management who thrives in fast-paced environments brings structure to ambiguity and loves being at the center of creative operational and client-facing work. This is a high-impact role overseeing one of our major client accounts guiding complex creative programs from kickoff to delivery and ensuring teams stay aligned resourced and positioned for success.

Youll act as a key bridge between creative production and account teams while driving clarity consistency and confidence across every stage of the creative process. This role requires a strong sense of ownership comfort with complexity and an ability to manage multiple stakeholders across timelines disciplines and workflows.

You are fluent in creative development program management production workflows and process improvement and are energized by building great work through structured planning proactive problem solving and trusted client partnership. You will act as a central liaison between internal teams and clients advocating for both process efficiency and creative excellence.

This role is based in or near the San Francisco Bay Area with flexibility to travel for on-site client sprints workshops and project reviews. Experience managing localized creative work across markets is essential as youll support creative production across regional markets and ensure global quality and consistency.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

This role requires a proven track record of best-in-class delivery and youll be expected to manage a variety of tasks and projects including:

• Creative Project and Program Management
• Lead complex creative campaigns brand content and integrated marketing programs from scoping through execution ensuring deliverables timelines and expectations are clear and aligned.
• Define project scope deliverables timelines and resourcing plans in collaboration with creative strategy and account teams.
• Manage end-to-end execution ensuring work is delivered on time on brief and within budget.
• Identify risks early communicate tradeoffs and escalate challenges with a solution-oriented mindset.
• Oversee and mentor project managers supporting their growth through coaching on planning risk management and stakeholder engagement.
• Track project financials including estimates actuals ETC and EAC and support ongoing reporting and forecasting accuracy.
• Localized Creative Production and Workflow Management
• Manage creative workflows across regional and global markets ensuring localized assets meet brand standards and cultural nuances.
• Partner with creative leadership and regional stakeholders to align briefs feedback cycles and approval processes.
• Maintain visibility into deliverable trackers asset libraries and production schedules to ensure deadlines are met and quality is upheld.
• Collaborate closely with external vendors translators and local market teams to maintain consistency across languages and formats.
• Operational Excellence and Process Improvement
• Drive operational efficiency across creative delivery by streamlining workflows documentation and resourcing models.
• Partner with leadership on staffing vendor onboarding monthly billing and reporting.
• Collaborate with finance legal and operations teams to ensure compliance and clarity around scope and budget governance.
• Lead internal syncs to ensure process adoption transparency and shared accountability.
• Maintain and optimize project management tools and systems such as Asana Workfront Harvest or other equivalents.
• Monitor and manage project financials including estimates actuals ETC (Estimate to Complete) and EAC (Estimate at Completion).

• Client and Cross-Functional Partnership
• Serve as the connective tissue between creative account and operations teams ensuring seamless communication and collaboration.
• Act as an on-site client partner during sprints workshops and key creative reviews.
• Communicate proactively and clearly across channels including Slack email and meetings to keep stakeholders aligned and informed.
• Push back constructively when needed balancing creative integrity business needs and delivery realities.
• Build trusted relationships with clients through transparency accountability and follow-through.

WHAT YOU BRING

Experience & Skills

• 5-7 years of experience in creative project or program management within an agency or in-house creative team.
• Proven experience leading integrated creative programs or campaigns from concept through delivery.
• Strong understanding of creative workflows content production brand systems and cross-market adaptation.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets track performance and partner closely with operations and finance teams.
• Excellent client-facing communication and presentation skills.
• Exceptional organization attention to detail and comfort managing multiple priorities simultaneously.
• A proactive adaptable mindset with enthusiasm for improving processes and nurturing collaboration.
• Strong knowledge of Google Suite Microsoft Suite Adobe Creative Suite Asana Workfront or other similar project management tools time-tracking software and Slack or comparable communications platforms.

Key Traits

• Execution-Driven: Youre focused on getting the work done right on time and with precision.
• Process-Minded: You love structure and understand how process unlocks great creative.
• Collaborative: Youre a great communicator who builds trust across disciplines.
• Detail-Oriented: You have a keen eye for clarity consistency and quality.
• Proactive: You anticipate challenges and solve problems before they escalate.
• Growth-Oriented: Youre always looking to improve how you work and help others do the same.

Remote-first role with ability to travel to client or team locations up to 50% as needed.

WHAT DO WE OFFER

• Healthcare Dental and Vision coverage
• 401K plan plus matching
• PTO
• Paid Company Holidays
• Parental Leave

WE SUPPORT YOU BEING YOU:

DEPT is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We believe our work is its best when our people feel safe and free to be themselves. Were committed to an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection process and workplace regardless of anyones identity background beliefs lifestyle or disabilities. So tell us about any accommodations you need. Its totally confidential and only used to make sure you feel fully supported at every step.

DEPT participates in E-Verify meaning your Form I-9 information will be sent to the federal government to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.

We are a B Corp-certified company passionate about purpose-driven work. Our hope is that you can feel good about the contributions DEPT is making to the world and we always have an open door for your ideas in making the world a better place.

DEPT is a Growth Invention company built to help the worlds most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing our 4000 specialists deliver growth invention across Brand & Media Experience Commerce CRM and Technology & Data. Were 5050 tech and marketing partner-led and first to move. Clients include Google Lufthansa Coach eBay and OpenAI.

Learn more about DEPT

DIVERSITY EQUITY & INCLUSION

At DEPT we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit develop nurture and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds with varying skills and perspectives.

Not sure you meet all qualifications Apply and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine.

We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.

Want to know more about our dedication to diversity equity and inclusion Check out our efforts here.