Merge Storytelling and Technology
We MERGE storytelling with technology by offering marketing and technology clients full-service capabilities including strategy, creative, experience engineering, performance marketing, media, and marketing operations platforms. MERGE has enduring client partnerships with American Express, T-Mobile, LG, Kate Spade NY, Coach, The Northface, Meta, Subway, BlueCross BlueShield, Abbott, Supernus, Seqirus, GE Healthcare, CVS/Aetna, Brigham Health, Indiana University Health, and Eaton Vance to name a few. With 750+ employees across offices in Chicago, Boston, NYC, Atlanta, Denver, Kansas City, Costa Mesa, and Montreal, MERGE uses a talent-to-task process that enables clients to think higher and feel deeper about their customers.
As our Sr. Project Manager, you will…
Oversee the internal management of assigned projects from inception to completion within the Agency. You will be the internal hub for all projects within the assigned client and will organize, schedule, and communicate with team members to deliver the work to complete a project within a defined scope, quality, timeframe, and budget. You must be able to manage large multi-faceted projects/accounts/campaigns and multiple projects at the same time across all execution mediums within the Pharma and/or Life Science industries.
Be Accountable and Responsible
- Work as independent liaison/communications hub between all agency team members
- Organize, manage, and be accountable for each step of the strategy, creative development process, legal reviews, and Veeva uploads from project set-up to project kick-off to delivery of final material in all mediums – collateral, print, broadcast, video, digital, email, out-of-home, direct mail
- Set up and run all necessary key touchpoint meetings in the process - kick-offs, internal reviews, status, progress meetings, development checkpoints, etc.
- Scope, estimate time of resources & create project plans & detailed schedules (from Strategy through creative development through delivery), and manage schedules throughout the life cycle of each project
- Manage and prioritize team assignments with detailed tasks for daily deliverables using agency tools (Webvantage) and clear verbal communications
- Partner with Project Manager, Broadcast Producers, Print Production, Media, and Analytics to coordinate schedules, budgets, deliverables, and approval processes on all projects
- Forecast future deliverables based on project scope and project schedules
- Review media plan and communicate necessary specs and material information to creative and studio teams
- Alert the team if a project strays out of scope or the originally set parameter
- Lead contingency planning, and problem resolution, and recommend solutions to maintain schedules, budgets, and quality deliverables
- Track actual hours per estimated project plan and run reports as requested
- Oversee general workflow capacity based on project plans, staff assignments, and capabilities per scope and work with the Department Director to manage and plan resources
- As requested, manage project out-of-pocket estimates and purchases per assigned projects and budget parameters
- Manage freelance hours and cost for copy, layout, content development, and external production
- Develop, manage, and enforce a rigorous approvals process internally (from creative development through the production phases of each project)
- Responsible for proofing process, brand guidelines, and quality standards on all projects
- Keep the Department Director aware of progress on each project and the development/deployment of the process – raising concerns as quickly as possible
- Manage Webvantage database with up-to-date detailed records of the life of a project and share information as necessary
- Implements Agency workflow process and quality assurance procedures to ensure successful execution as measured by agency goals and client satisfaction
- Provide insight on process improvements or resources/tool opportunities
- Add projects to and update the current status of projects on the Agency status report (SmartSheet)
- Ensure Studio Server organization of project naming through the final archive
- Set up, attend, and participate actively in all necessary weekly status meetings
Leadership and Communications Skills
- Command a confident leadership role
- Ability to facilitate and manage personalities
- Ability to collaborate build teamwork and manage conflict
- Confronts issues openly and quickly
- Effectively communicates relevant project/practice information to superiors and peers across all departments
- Shows ownership of the agency process and enforces the use of the process with the team
- Helps to determine new, creative ways to employ teams on projects and distribute responsibilities
- Works across departments to share lessons learned and best practices
- Understands client's needs and proposes alternative business solutions
- Continually seeks internal efficiencies to increase client satisfaction and help deepen client relationships
- Easily recognizes areas for internal improvement and develops implementation plans.
These are the qualifications we’re looking for
- A minimum of 6+ years of project management experience in pharma or life sciences – preferably from an advertising agency setting
- Excellent understanding of all production disciplines: print, digital, & broadcast/video
- Experience using project management software, Veeva, and the PRC review process
- Self-motivated, quick, and assertive
- Extremely detailed, oriented, and organized
- Exceptional time management skills
- Excellent writing and communication skills
- Cool, calm, collected, and collaborative
- Proficient in MS Office applications, Adobe Acrobat Professional
- A working knowledge of InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc., a plus
MERGE is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer
MERGE welcomes and celebrates diversity regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status or people with abilities. We believe that the more diverse we are, the more creative our work will be!
