Description

The Project Manager’s function at Wray Ward will be to lead teams professionally and seamlessly in the successful delivery of a project. A Project Manager is expected to passionately meet clients’ needs on time and on budget while managing agency resources to achieve the best workflow and greatest efficiency. This includes identifying the right people, in the right place and at the right time, enabling the agency to produce great work. A Project Manager is accountable for delivering projects as efficiently as possible to maximize direct internal/external relationships and agency profitability, along with defined success for our clients.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities as Project Manager

• Manage multifaceted projects/campaigns and clients
• Ensure that proper forecasting — budgetary and resourcing — is being done for all projects on assigned account(s)
• Organize, manage, prioritize and be accountable for workflow from creative development through delivery of materials to client, vendor, etc., negotiating and communicating with Creative, Account Management and Production team members every step of the way
• Oversee creation of detailed timing plans (from creative development through delivery) and manage timing plan(s) throughout the life of each project
• Work directly with the client to maintain project momentum and deliverables
• Work with the Resourcing Director to manage and plan creative resources
• Create and manage Scopes of Work and production/out-of-pocket estimates and work closely with client business directors in managing budgets
• Report resource utilization rates and profitability to client business directors
• Develop, manage and enforce a rigorous approvals process (from creative development through production phases of each project)
• Coordinate with production staff throughout the creative development process
• Engage in risk assessment and prepare recommended solutions
• Keep detailed records of the life of a project and share information as necessary
• Ensure that the agreed-upon agency workflow/process is followed
• Add projects to and maintain the current status of projects via weekly status reports
• Attend and participate actively in all necessary weekly agency and client status meetings 
• Work as a liaison/communications hub between all agency team members and agency partners who may touch an assigned account/project
• Set up and run all necessary key touch point meetings in the process

Communication Skills

• Clear written and verbal presentation skills and style
• Ability to manage people and projects smoothly and efficiently
• Ability to communicate in a straightforward, coherent and professional manner

Leadership Responsibilities

• Work well with others and be a team player
• Be a self-starter who goes above and beyond on tasks
• Display ability to manage and lead a room/team

Client Relationships

• Responsible for day-to-day client project management
• Keep client business directors in the loop, so they can manage the overall client relationship and account growth

Requirements

•  3–5 years of project management and/or account management experience — agency experience preferred
• Basic understanding of all production disciplines: print, digital, broadcast (multimedia) and live events production, public relations and social media marketing
• Self-motivated, quick and assertive
• Extremely detailed oriented and organized
• Exceptional time management skills
• Good writing and communication skills
• Cool, calm and collaborative
• Proficient in MS Office applications
• Bachelor’s degree

This job description serves as an overall summary of responsibilities for the position outlined. Please note it is subject to change with specific expectations associated with the position.

Culture Alignment

At Wray Ward, we firmly believe that internal and client relationships are key to our success. Certain attitudes define how we work and are important in what we seek for our culture and mission. Our key agency attitudes are:

• WE, NOT ME — We check our egos at the door. As a result, we thrive in a positive, collaborative atmosphere that welcomes diverse professionals and invites everyone to contribute their best.
• ASK “WHAT IF?” — Always going beyond what is and considering what could be, we create unexpected possibilities that differentiate our brands and accelerate their success.
• BE FEARLESS — Creativity demands that we hold nothing back. So we mutually support each other in speaking up, taking risks and courageously contributing audacious, unedited, unconventional ideas.
• NAIL IT — Everything we do is about results. We not only achieve our clients’ goals, but also continually exceed their expectations. Every person here shares individual responsibility for their own, our agency’s and our clients’ success.

Our 39,000-square-foot home promotes collaboration and productivity through inspired meeting areas, offering natural light, vibrant colors, patterns and textures. Homelike elements are found in every corner, from the open-air roof-deck to our game room with foosball, ping-pong, Connect Five, classic board games and cornhole. Brightly colored throw pillows on sofas and our town hall meeting space, smart entertainment systems and live plants are scattered throughout. From holiday parties to movie nights, bowling and dodgeball teams to yoga and walking groups, we have a warm and inviting culture. Our office ushers us in, and it welcomes us home.

Our Mission

We are a community of catalysts using insights, strategy and creativity to transform spaces into stories and materials into experiences. 

Candidates must possess authorization to work in the United States, as it is not the practice of Wray Ward to sponsor individuals for work visas. Wray Ward participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

At Wray Ward, we strongly believe that a diverse staff and inclusive culture will greatly enrich our work, our business, our industry and our lives. We are committed to an intentional approach to listening, understanding and talking, and to using our individual and collective talent, voices and influence to drive change.

Wray Ward is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.