Senior Project Manager- Freelance

WPP • Chicago, IL

12d • $100,000 - $130,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. We have been building the world's most valuable brands for 50 years and have global reach across 100+ markets, with deep local expertise. Our people are the key to our success. We're committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow. For more information, visit WPP.com. Why we're hiring: Seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Project Manager to join our Client & Business Leadership team, dedicated to the Abbott account. In this crucial contract role, you will be responsible for leading and managing complex digital workstreams and integrated marketing projects. You will drive project planning, execution, and delivery, ensuring they meet strategic objectives, are completed on time, within scope, and on budget. This is an exciting opportunity for a proactive and detail-oriented professional to make a significant impact on a key client's digital presence within a leading global agency.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Project Management, or a related field.
• 6+ years of progressive experience in project management within a creative agency or similar client-services environment, with a strong focus on digital.
• Proven track record of successfully leading and delivering complex digital projects (web, campaigns, content) from conception to completion.
• Strong understanding and direct experience with financial management for projects, including budgeting, forecasting, tracking, and reporting.
• Expertise in Smartsheet is required for project planning, tracking, and reporting.
• Demonstrated experience managing significant digital workstreams and a deep understanding of the digital marketing ecosystem, technologies, and production processes.
• Superior client-facing communication, negotiation, and presentation skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem-solving abilities, a proactive approach, and a commitment to driving results.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with large, complex clients, ideally within the healthcare or pharmaceutical industry, is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Digital Project Leadership: Lead the end-to-end management of complex digital marketing projects and workstreams, including web development, digital campaigns (banners), content creation, and other digital initiatives for the Abbott client.
• Project Planning & Execution: Develop comprehensive project plans, including detailed scopes, timelines, resource allocation, and budgets. Oversee daily project activities, ensuring adherence to established processes and quality standards.
• Client & Stakeholder Management: Serve as a primary point of contact for the Abbott client on project-specific matters, fostering strong relationships, managing expectations, and providing regular, clear communication on project status, risks, and deliverables.
• Financial Management: Own project financials, including budget creation, tracking, forecasting, reconciliation, and reporting, ensuring projects remain profitable and within allocated funds.
• Resource Coordination: Effectively collaborate with and coordinate cross-functional internal teams (e.g., Creative, Strategy, Technology, Media, Production) to ensure seamless project execution and optimal resource utilization.
• Risk & Issue Resolution: Proactively identify, track, and manage project risks, issues, and dependencies, developing effective mitigation strategies and escalating as necessary.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure all digital and integrated project deliverables meet VML's high standards of quality, accuracy, and client expectations.
• Process Optimization: Champion VML's project management methodologies, contribute to continuous improvement efforts, and ensure consistent application of best practices, utilizing tools like Smartsheet effectively.
• Documentation & Reporting: Maintain thorough project documentation, status reports, and communication records, providing transparency and accountability.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees