Program Director - Temporary Worker

dentsu

7d•Remote

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced Temporary Program Director to lead transformational marketing initiatives for our premier client portfolio while driving excellence across our program management practice. This senior leadership position requires a strategic and operationally sophisticated professional who can oversee one or more high-stakes programs, develop organizational capabilities, and serve as a trusted advisor to client executives. The ideal candidate brings deep marketing expertise, proven team leadership, and the ability to deliver exceptional results in fast-paced, complex agency environments serving both domestic and international markets.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Communications, or related field required
12-15 years of progressive program/project management experience in marketing advertising, consulting, or digital agencies is a MUST
4-6 years of people management experience
Proven track record managing complex programs valued at $5M-$15M+ individually
Extensive experience with enterprise-level clients and multi-year strategic initiatives
Deep understanding of both US and international market dynamics and client expectations
History of delivering programs that drive significant business outcomes and client satisfaction
Exceptional leadership presence and influencing skills, comfortable engaging with senior executives
Outstanding communication skills across written, verbal, and presentation formats
Experience leading through ambiguity and complexity in matrixed organizations
Demonstrated emotional intelligence and ability to navigate challenging stakeholder situations
Expert-level knowledge of program management methodologies including Waterfall, Agile, Scrum, and hybrid approaches
Advanced proficiency with program management platforms (Monday.com, Workfront, Asana, Jira, Smartsheet, or similar)
Comprehensive knowledge of integrated marketing channels: digital, social, mobile, and email
Agile/Scrum certifications (CSM, SAFe, etc.) in addition to leading teams in Agile methodology
Extensive experience at recognized marketing agencies or top-tier consulting firms. (12-15 years of progressive program/project management experience in marketing advertising, consulting, or digital agencies is a MUST)
Background in management consulting or digital transformation

Responsibilities

Direct a portfolio of enterprise-level marketing programs for 1 or more Fortune 500 clients
Define program vision, objectives, and success criteria in collaboration with client executives and agency leadership
Establish comprehensive program roadmaps that integrate multiple workstreams across digital transformation, customer experience, data analytics, and technology implementations
Ensure programs align with client business strategies and deliver measurable ROI and business impact
Lead program steering committees with senior client stakeholders, facilitating strategic decision-making and governance
Manage program interdependencies, risks, and resource conflicts across the portfolio
Partner closely with Creative, Strategy, Data & Analytics, Technology, and CRM leadership to ensure integrated program delivery
Oversee end-to-end program execution ensuring deliverables meet quality standards, timelines, and budget parameters
Implement robust governance structures including escalation protocols, change management processes, and risk mitigation strategies
Monitor program health through comprehensive dashboards tracking scope, schedule, budget, quality, and client satisfaction metrics
Conduct regular program health assessments and implement corrective actions to address challenges
Ensure compliance with agency standards, client requirements, and regulatory obligations across all markets
Lead crisis management and issue resolution for high-impact program challenges
Facilitate post-program retrospectives capturing lessons learned and best practices
Manage program budgets ensuring profitability targets are achieved
Oversee resource planning and allocation across programs, optimizing utilization and capability deployment
Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and program profitability
Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance delivery quality, team productivity, and client satisfaction
Establish and refine program management methodologies, tools, and templates aligned with industry best practices
Implement and optimize technology platforms supporting program planning, execution, and reporting
Create standardized frameworks for risk management, change control, and quality assurance