Senior Project Manager

Who We Are VML, part of WPP, is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human first, award‑winning work for blue‑chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate‑Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca‑Cola Company, and Wendy’s. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave™ Reports, as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. In addition, VML’s specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world’s largest and most awarded health agencies. VML’s global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55+ markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney. About WPP 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. Senior Project Manager – Overview VML is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead and manage project deliverables across major clients in the retail and CPG space. The role requires a proactive and experienced individual who understands project management across integrated campaigns, the nuances of shopper behavior, and the critical role of effective project management in delivering impactful solutions. The Senior Project Manager will be a key driver in ensuring projects across our commerce and brand campaigns are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with the client's strategic objectives. What you’ll do Work: Deliver projects that drive sales and brand engagement across various retail and social channels. Oversee the entire project lifecycle, from initial concept to final execution, ensuring alignment with client goals and retailer requirements. Identify dependencies and cascading impacts of delays, especially within the context of retailer‑specific timelines and promotional calendars. Lead resource needs and availability across the office and network, working closely with department leads and recruiting. People: Motivate, direct, and challenge cross‑functional teams (including creative, strategy, technology, and account management) to produce innovative and effective shopper marketing solutions. Establish and manage collaborative, efficient, and high‑functioning teams across different locations. Increase efficiency across a group of accounts through effective management of staff resourcing. Oversee staff aggregate bandwidth, utilization, and realization rates, as well as retention and employee relations. Process: Establish and manage project/program communication and process, specifically tailored to the demands of shopper marketing and commerce projects. Leverage existing tools and processes to monitor people and progress. Collaborate with Project and Program needs to ensure the right resources are in place to deliver the work. Financials: Responsible for project estimation, planning, and profitability, with a strong focus on ROI and measurable results. Build detailed project plans that incorporate retailer‑specific requirements and promotional timelines. Collaborate with Delivery leads for resourcing and scoping strategy across portfolio, partnering with finance and account teams. Partner with the Director of Project Management for resourcing strategy across the portfolio, and support Project Managers in resourcing to the scope. Who you are Leader: Influences without authority and fosters an environment of shared accountability. Comfortable communicating and partnering with department leads, tailoring communications based on audience and level (technology, creative, finance, client, vendor). Builder: Navigates strong collaboration between people, processes and systems. Drives projects and resource management from ambiguity to clarity. Understands digital technologies and trends. Detail Oriented: Sharp attention to detail and a drive for perfection. Excellent problem‑solving skills. Adept at completing high‑intensity, high‑volume tasks in a timely fashion. A Strong Communicator: Excellent communication and analytical skills. Conducts team and client meetings with clear, concise language and leadership acumen. A skilled, creative, confident presenter and negotiator. Shopper Marketing Savvy: Possesses a strong understanding of shopper behavior, retail environments, and the key drivers of purchase decisions. Familiar with various shopper marketing tactics, including promotions, displays, digital activations, and e‑commerce strategies. What you'll need 3–5+ years of experience managing projects in a professional environment, with agency or consulting environment preferred, specifically with a focus on shopper marketing and commerce projects for CPG clients. Experience working with major retailers and understanding their specific requirements for shopper marketing and commerce programs. Familiarity with CPG industry trends, competitive landscape, and key performance indicators (KPIs). Experience managing projects related to e‑commerce platforms, online advertising, and digital promotions. Previous work with common project management tools such as Smartsheet, Jira, Monday.com, Confluence, MS Project, and MS Teams. Experience adapting project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, Lean, Kanban) to the needs of the project. Conscientious and adept at problem‑solving through critical thinking. Experience leading team and client meetings. Ability to flex time management skills based on workload. Strong interpersonal communication skills as a team leader and team player. Flexibility, initiative, dedication, and the ability to work with minimal supervision. Compensation & Benefits Base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is $60,000 – $140,000 USD. Individual compensation varies based on job‑related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package. We believe the best work happens when we’re together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That’s why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process. WPP (VML) is an equal‑opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers. #J-18808-Ljbffr VML South Africa