Associate Director, Project Management Operations

Company description

Zenith is a full-service media agency with capabilities and expertise across all channels and disciplines. Zenith is part of Publicis Media, the #1 media buying network in the Americas and #2 globally. As "The ROI Agency," Zenith's expertise lies in driving real, tangible business outcomes, not just media metrics, that will have a measurable effect on our clients' business. Every investment we make has an ROI mindset-not just for our clients, but for our agency at large. We're focused on driving the maximum value for our people, our capabilities and our media investments for some of the world's leading brands.

Overview

The Associate Director, Operations Project Management is an integral role within the Zenith team, responsible for building and monitoring internal operational processes throughout the assigned account. Responsible for diverse scale projects or workstreams with multiple elements, including client contact at project level and management of resources across multiple teams and disciplines and various project types.

The Associate Director, Operations Project Management will also be responsible for monitoring and enhancing a shared software platform(s) that connects our people, data and technology and will be used heavily throughout the account. Data integrity, development of process, and accountability of adherence to process is of upmost importance, so a keen eye for detail, effectively project managing various workstreams/projects and forward thinking are key attributes required for this position.

Responsibilities

• Project management of the tools, systems, and processes that enable sound and streamlined account and investment operations including development of effective change management plans. (inclusive of setup/build and monitoring of communication rollouts, creating and maintaining timelines/milestones, training schedules, etc).
• Partner with Change Manager Leads to drive improvement projects through the enterprise
• Maintains a clear understanding of the overarching strategy and purpose on all assigned projects
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and groups, facilitating synergy between the Operations and xFunctional teams (i.e. strategy, investment, analytics, etc).
• Builds positive rapport and partnership with key clients, ensuring effective and streamlined communications/operations are in place for successful management at a project level.
• Act as the project lead, connecting agency teams and clients for an orderly and smooth project and resource flow.
• Deliver instructions and briefing of project/process plans/timelines in a clear and concise manner, providing proper enablement material and documentation as required
• Project Planning: Pro-actively manage all the details throughout the project ensuring all action-items are accomplished timely and accurately
• Proactively operates to identify, mitigate or remove project obstacles, and manage issue escalations, and provide support to teams balancing competing priorities
• Foster positive, collaborative partnerships with key clients, embodying client service excellence.
• Supports transformational changes to ways of working and holistic operations across the business in conjunction with Senior Leadership Team across Operations and cross functional team leads.
• Actively drive the enhancement of project management processes, adaption of tools and standardized templates to implement consistent workflows for effective and systemic project execution.
• Keep all timelines up-to-date based on daily changes and Identify where altered requirements will involve extra time or extra resources and efficiencies can be gained
• Assess needs and distribute work within a group from concept/development, presentation and final production
• Responsible for Scope of Work tracking.
• Communicate to large teams and across inter-departments

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree.
• 5 years of experience in operations or project/client management within an agency environment.
• Agile and/or Scrum certified or trained preferred, or project management certifications are a bonus. Additional relevant certifications are a large plus (via PMI or other qualified institute/organization).

Managerial and Operational Skills:

• Managerial experience contributing to informed strategic business decisions and enhancing overall operations.
• Experience implementing double-checks and balances team-wide for flawless execution.
• Demonstrates excellence in delivering operational workstreams/projects and conveys informed recommendations professionally.

Technical Proficiency:

• Experience with smart project management/workload Management tools and GSuite platform
• Experience or interest in AI adoption, AI tools/usage

Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills:

• Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to identify actionable insights.

Communication and Detail Orientation:

• Exhibits strong communication skills, including clear writing and professional speaking, strong listening skills and tactfully communicates positions on relevant issues
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Professional presentation, training, and client-facing skills.

Project Management Expertise:

• Proficient track record of successfully developing projects from start to completion, meeting deadlines and budget constraints.

Problem-Solving Approach:

• Hands-on problem-solving abilities with a "can-do" approach, combining thinking and doing.

Proactive and Forward-Thinking:

• Demonstrates forward thinking, ideating, and considering next steps with minimal direction.

Team Collaboration & Development:

• Ability to manage up to senior reporting managers and effectively delegate/manage down to direct reports.
• Embodies a positive, team-player attitude.
• Active and supports on overall team culture efforts
• A passion for learning new skillsets, receptive to constructive feedback and desire for career growth
• Enjoys and respects working in an innovative, collaborative environment with a diverse group of people

Reporting and Succession

• Reports directly to VP, Operations

Additional information

Our Publicis Groupe motto "Viva La Diffrence" means we're better together, and we believe that our differences make us stronger. It means we honor and celebrate all identities, across all facets of intersectionality, and it underpins all that we do as an organization. We are focused on fostering belonging and creating equitable & inclusive experiences for all talent.

Publicis Groupe provides robust and inclusive benefit programs and policies to support the evolving and diverse needs of our talent and enable every person to grow and thrive. Our benefits package includes medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401K, as well as parental and family care leave, family forming assistance, tuition reimbursement, and flexible time off.

If you require accommodation or assistance with the application or onboarding process specifically, please contact USMSTACompliance@publicis.com. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Compensation Range: $95,950- $124,735 annually. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third-party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. Temporary roles may also qualify for participation in our 401(k) plan after eligibility criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 6/30/25.

Veterans Encouraged to Apply