Associate Project Director (Pharma)

CG Life

8d • $115,000 - $130,000

About The Position

The Associate Project Director (APD) is a strategic leader in project management, responsible for the planning, execution, and oversight of complex, multi-faceted projects across the agency. This role ensures that projects are delivered efficiently on time, and within scope and budget while maintaining high-quality standards. The APD plays a critical role in risk management, process optimization, and resource allocation, collaborating across teams and serving as a trusted advisor to stakeholders. The APD has experience managing complex and quick-turn pharma launches and experience with growing AOR or D/AOR clients. A successful candidate is an expert communicator, problem solver, and mentor who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Requirements

• 6+ years of experience in agency and/or project management at an integrated advertising agency.
• Experience working with AOR or D/AOR clients within pharma strongly preferred.
• Multi-channel marketing expertise, including media planning and execution.
• Financial responsibility for up to $3M in revenue and oversight for up to 8M.
• Proven ability to lead complex projects, integrated campaigns, and large-scale product launches.
• Highly collaborative and solution-oriented, with the ability to juggle multiple projects while maintaining professionalism, humor, and tact.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels, inspire teamwork, and lead with confidence.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills, breaking down work into clear, actionable steps.
• Proactive problem-solver, skilled at anticipating roadblocks, mitigating risks, and driving solutions—especially in fast-paced, high-stakes environments.
• Expertise in project management tools and methodologies, including risk management, scope management, and change management.
• Skilled in meeting management and facilitation, keeping discussions on track and guiding teams toward clear decisions.
• Experience with software development life cycles, web technologies, creative design processes, and digital strategy preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through in all aspects of project execution.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant project management software.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with software development life cycles, web technologies, creative design processes, and digital strategy preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own the tactical planning, activation, and effective execution of work for a large 6-8M account or 2-3 brands or a franchises.
• Oversee and guide a team in developing and executing tactical project plans, ensuring proactive project activation and seamless implementation across all projects within an assigned account.
• Develop and maintain detailed and accurate tactical plans, driving successful implementation across all assigned projects.
• Own project facilitation throughout the entire lifecycle, navigating ambiguity, problem-solving, and proactively driving resolutions without assistance.
• Mentor junior team members to align tactical execution with agency standards and project goals.
• Oversee and guide a team in project scheduling, estimation, scope management, budget tracking, and forecasting, making strategic decisions when issues arise.
• Ensure all projects within an assigned team are effectively estimated, preparing and reviewing initial project estimates, change orders, and complex annual scopes of work.
• Own budget management from start to finish—aligning initial estimates to project plans, updating budgets to align with changes in scope, and partnering with finance through revenue reconciliation processes.
• Ensure all projects within the team are effectively scheduled, resourced, and delivered on time and within scope and budget—or escalate risks as needed driving the team to align on solutions and next steps.
• Oversee the forecasting process for an assigned book of work, making strategic decisions regarding resourcing conflicts and capacity planning.
• Document key decisions and provide clear recommendations to maintain project alignment and efficiency.
• Analyze project health, identifying risks and actionable solutions.
• Mentor junior team members on project health best practices and issue resolution.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, trust, and accountability while motivating and supporting internal stakeholders.
• Identify and address team dynamics, risks, and challenges—escalating when necessary for smooth project execution.
• Set the tone for positive team interactions through proactive, transparent, and empathetic communication.
• Adapt communication styles to suit different audiences, ensuring clarity and alignment with objectives.
• Support strategic internal communications and presentations, particularly for leadership and operational initiatives.
• Mentor junior team members on relationship management and communication best practices.
• Oversee the maintenance of strong client relationships, ensuring the overall health of project management client interactions across an assigned team.
• Act as a key client point of contact for both executional and strategic project-related communications, translating complex ideas into actionable plans.
• Engage in senior-level client presentations, strategic discussions, and new business opportunities.
• Proactively identify and mitigate client relationship risks with diplomacy and professionalism.
• Mentor junior team members in effective client communication and account management.
• Champion the use of existing tools, templates, and processes to ensure consistency and efficiency.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and work with leadership to implement best practices.
• Lead by example, setting the standard for professionalism, problem-solving, and collaboration.
• Provide training, mentorship, and onboarding support for new team members.
• Act as a subject matter expert on project management best practices, ensuring operational excellence.
• Support team resourcing decisions and contribute to departmental strategy and growth initiatives.
• Effectively manages, guides, and coaches direct reports by staying involved in their development and providing valuable feedback, guidance, and encouragement.
• Takes an active role in mentoring junior team members on best practices and client handling and alerts them to opportunities for mentorship across CG Life to achieve career goals.
• Escalation point for a team of Senior Project Managers, Project Managers, and Coordinators, ensuring expectations are met as well as strategic guidance and problem-solving support.
• Contributes to staffing planning for client accounts.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance. We cover a generous portion of employee contributions
• 401K plan. We invest in present and future you, which is why we offer a generous match and immediate vesting on our plan
• Parental Leave. Generous paid time off for parents to bond with their newest addition
• Professional Development. Each employee has an annual budget to allocate to professional development opportunities. Employees are encouraged to take a workshop, attend a webinar, join associations, and do anything else that will help them grow in their careers.
• flexible time off
• life insurance
• LTD
• a robust employee assistance program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed