Onsite Senior Project Manager (Design)

Equator Design • Chicago, IL

2d • $115,000 - $125,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Marks, part of the Propelis Group, is a consumer experience agency creating engaging moments across the entire brand spectrum—from brand design and packaging, to content and consumer connections. We are a collaborative global network of 1,900+ team members across 25+ studios and 20+ countries, partnering with some of the world’s most recognized brands to solve complex business challenges through design, strategy, and craft. This role represents Marks and supports ever-evolving business needs, acting as an integral member of the team, working exclusively on a dedicated client’s business from their Chicago office. This is a hybrid role which currently requires 3 days per week in office, but is subject to change based on the client in-office policy. As the Onsite Senior Project Manager (Design), you are the brand strategy and design steward. You will partner with the client Design Lead to clearly understand the creative brief objectives and partner with the design team to add value, review/critique design concepts to meet the creative brief and key stakeholder expectations. The Onsite Senior Project Manager (Design) represents the client design team point of view in making recommendations to the client cross-function team and represents the design’s point of view to facilitate the creation of effective design. The Onsite Senior Project Manager (Design) will work closely with the client Design, Marketing, Promotions, SRA, SGX teams and other project stakeholders (as required) to support and contribute to the day-to-day project management, deliverables, and flawless execution. You will clearly understand project objectives and concisely communicate expectations to the team in a timely manner. You will facilitate and maximize the team's time to effectively develop new design concepts and/or revisions that meet project expectations, brand guidelines, and timing. In addition, always think ahead, keep an eye on the roadmap to effectively manage, plan and anticipate upcoming design project needs, team workload, and/or identify additional resources, as required.

Requirements

• Minimum 7 years of relevant Creative Project Management experience in a design/creative agency environment required
• Strong project management skills with in-depth hands-on program management and execution experience working in a fast paced CPG environment
• Demonstrated ability to communicate, present and influence brand design strategy decisions credibly and effectively at all levels of the organization across both agency and client teams
• Ability to provide industry/category and consumer insights to help guide and influence effective design development
• Experience in developing and delivering client-focused solutions based on business needs
• Superior organizational skills with proven ability to manage multiple projects at a time, while paying strict attention to the details and adhering to brand guidelines
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
• Willingness to work an extended schedule, as needed, to meet project deadlines
• Proficient using Mac OS, and Microsoft Products
• Familiarity with creative workflows, asset management systems, and project tracking/routing tools (e.g., Monday.com)

Nice To Haves

• Broad experience working directly in a high-volume, fast-paced, constantly changing creative environment and demonstrate resiliency
• Proven problem solver with expert knowledge of design workflow best practices
• Ability to construct workable solutions when presented with multiple and, often times, conflicting points of view
• Unflappable, ability to bring a sense of focus and calm assurance to high-energy interactions
• Creative and innovative thinking
• A collaborative team oriented approach to working and keeping all parties informed
• Compassion, honesty and an ability to develop trust with both internal and client teams
• A sense of humor and have passion for your job

Responsibilities

• Support design phase through conception to completion with internal and external partners.
• Maintain brand assets and toolkits.
• Be the dependable lead point of contact for any and all matters for assigned design projects.
• Challenge status quo, (as needed), clearly understand business objective and have a POV to add value in delivering the best design solutions to meet project objectives and/or exceed brief expectations.
• Develop a trusted advisor relationship with stakeholders and vendors.
• Schedule/attend project meetings, create/present presentations, actively participate and/or lead project kick-offs, and creative reviews in collaboration with the design team.
• Proactively manage assigned projects from brief through execution and release of artwork partnering with the design lead, vendors and agency teams to meet project brief objectives and deliverables in a timely manner.
• Daily collaboration with project teams and the design lead to ensure projects are progressing in an effectively and timely manner.
• Develop and lead weekly status report meetings to report on project status and highlight any challenges or potential delays. Proactively lead, anticipate and provide solutions to address any issues and keep projects on course through completion.
• Effectively manage all project requests and alert or escalate any issues to the client Sr. Design Director and Marks CSSD as needed, and keep them apprised of workload demands to best manage team resources and address potential risks.
• Step in for Design Managers in select meetings as needed.
• Develop internal relationships to earn trust and respect of Project Managers. Be a champion and mentor to the Project Managers. Lead by example, uphold high standard and reinforce best practices for success.
• Provide oversight and support PMs in developing effective and well positioned Concept Presentation set-ups to best elevate the quality of thought provoking presentations and deliverables to the client.
• Collaborate with Project Managers and Traffic Manager to ensure correct resources are assigned for each project/request and make any necessary adjustment of work in progress to ensure on time delivery and/or resource optimization throughout the life cycle of the project or special requests.
• Conduct status meetings with all teams to ensure accounts are running properly.
• Daily status updates for all projects in collaboration with the project managers; work with design lead and agency leaders to reschedule projects and reset expectations based on new or changing priorities; ensure transparency and no surprises.
• Manage communication with Marketing and XF partners.
• Demonstrate understanding of client’s brands and how each project objectives fit into the overall brand strategy.
• Ensure client expectations and projects are effectively managed: keeping our clients happy, being an invaluable resource, provide timely and successful delivery of brand/project solutions according to Brand Guidelines and brief objectives.
• Develop creative briefs and/or ensure the client issued briefs are comprehensive with necessary content to kick off new assignments.
• Develop and issue meeting recaps that outlines key discussion points, requests and/or agreements and key next steps/timing to key team members in a concise and timely manner.
• Add value to the strategic development portion of projects including brainstorming sessions, be known as the expert of the category, competitors and target audience behaviors/needs.
• Create any OOP cost estimates and secure client approvals prior to incurring costs.
• Take the lead on miscellaneous client requests for presentation material, artwork file requests, etc. and managing team resources (PMs/Traffic/Production Designers) to support deliverables.
• Participate in and supports agency business objectives appropriate to role (quality objectives, company policies, team morale).
• Actively identify and suggest workflow/processes improvement opportunities.
• Proactively contribute to the development and continuous improvements of SOPs.

Benefits

• selection of health care plans with prescription drug coverage
• dental plan
• vision plan
• basic and supplemental life insurance
• a flexible spending account for medical and dependent care expenses or a health savings account based on plan selection
• short/long term disability
• 401(k) Savings Plan

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior