Program Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Salary: $60,000 - $75,000

About the Role

As a Program Manager,you'llbe responsible forthe day-to-day management of multiple packaging design projects, ensuringthey'redelivered on time, on budget, andatthe quality our clients expect.You'llbe the operational hub for your projectscoordinating timelines, managing resources, tracking budgets,facilitatingcommunication between creative teams and clients, and solving problems as they arise. Partnering witha Client Success Director,you'llhave the opportunity to learn agency operations from the ground up while making an immediate impact on project success. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, loves bringing order to complexity, and wants to build a career in creative operations.

Core Responsibilities

Day-to-Day Project ManagementYou'll manage several packaging design projects simultaneously, serving as thecentral pointof coordination for each. This includes leading project kickoffs, creating andmaintainingdetailed project timelines, schedulingmeetingsand reviews, tracking deliverables, following up on action items, and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.You'llbe the person who knows exactly where every project stands at any givenmomentwhat'son track,what'sat risk, and what needs attention. Your organizational skills and attention to detail will be critical to keeping projects moving smoothly from brief through final delivery.

Resource Coordination & SchedulingYou'll work with the Client Success Director to build project staffing plans, then coordinate the day-to-day workflow across your assigned creative teams. This means scheduling designers, strategists, and production artists; managing their workload to ensure they have what they need when they need it; communicating timeline changes or shifts in priorities; and flagging capacity constraints early.You'lldevelop strong relationships with the creative team, understanding their workingstylesand helping them balance multipleprojectdemands while protecting time for their best work.

Client Communication & Relationship SupportYou'll serve as a key day-to-day contact for clients, managing project communications, responding to questions, coordinating feedback cycles, and ensuring they feel well-informed and supported throughout the process. While the Client Success team ownsthestrategic relationship,you'llbuild your own rapport with client project managers and brand managers through reliable, responsive service.You'lllearn to navigate client dynamicsunderstanding when to escalate issues, how to manage expectations diplomatically, and how to turn potential problems into opportunities todemonstrateour professionalism.

Timeline & Milestone ManagementYou'll create realistic project schedules that account for creative development time, review cycles, revision rounds, and productionrequirements.You 'llmonitorprogress against these timelines,identifypotential delays early, and proactively problem-solve to keep projects on track. When timeline challenges arisecompressed deadlines, unexpected revisions, clientdelaysyou'llwork with yourDirectorand the creative team to develop solutions that balance client needs with team capacity and quality standards.

Process Execution & Quality ControlYou'll ensure projects follow the agency's established processes and workflows, from intake and briefing through delivery and archival.This includes preparing thorough creative briefs,facilitatingproductive review sessions, managing approval processes, coordinating with production vendors, and ensuring all deliverables meet our quality standards before they reach the client.You'llbe a guardian of our standards, catching mistakes or inconsistencies before they become client issues.

Meeting Facilitation & CommunicationYou'll run efficient, productive project meetingskickoffs, status updates, creative reviews, client presentationskeeping them focused, documented, and action-oriented.You'llprepare agendas, take detailed notes, distribute recaps with clear action items and owners, and follow up to ensure things get done. Your meeting facilitation skills will help teams work more efficiently and ensure everyone stays aligned throughout the project lifecycle.

Problem-Solving & EscalationProjectsdon 'talways go according to plan, andyou'llneed to think on your feet when challenges arise. Whetherit'sa scope change request, a resource conflict, a technical production issue, or client feedback that requires rethinking the creative approach,you'llassess the situation, explore solutions, and escalate to yourDirectorwhen needed.You' lldevelopjudgmentabout what you can handle independently and when to bring in senior support.

Reporting & DocumentationYou' llmaintainaccurateproject documentation, including timelines, budgets, meeting notes, and creative briefs.You'llalso provide regular status updates to yourDirector, flagging risks, celebrating wins, and contributing to the broader operational visibility that helps leadership make informed decisions.You'llensure project files areproperly organizedand archived for future reference.

Continuous ImprovementYou'll actively contribute ideas for how we can work more efficiently,identifyingprocess bottlenecks,suggestingtemplateimprovements, andsharinglearnings from your projects.You'llalso be open to feedback and committed to developing your own skills, working with yourDirectorto build capabilities in areas likefinancial management, client relationship building, and strategic resource planning.

What You Bring

Experience &Expertise

• 3-5 years of project or program management experience, preferably in a creative agency, design studio, or marketing environment

• Experience managing creative projects from concept through delivery, with understanding of design and production workflows

• Familiarity with CPG packaging design processes a plus, but notrequired
• Experience working with Supercenter/Hypermarket business model

• Proficiencywith project management tools (Monday.com, Asana, Basecamp, or similar)

• Basic understanding of project budgets and financial tracking

• Experience with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace

Core Competencies

• Exceptional organizational skills with ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously without losing track of details

• Strong time management and prioritization abilities, knowing what needs attention now versus what can wait

• Proactive mindsetyouanticipateproblems before they happen and take initiative to solve them

• Process-oriented thinking with appreciation for why structure andmethodologymatter

• Analytical skills with comfort working with numbers, tracking data, andidentifyingpatterns

• Problem-solving abilities, especially when faced with timeline conflicts, resource constraints, or unexpected challenges

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

• Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills

• Diplomatic approach to managing different personalities, opinions, and working styles

• Ability to build trust and rapport with both creative teams and clients

• Comfortable facilitating meetings and keeping discussions productive

• Active listening skills with ability to ask clarifying questions andtruly understandneeds

• Grace under pressureyou stay calm and constructive when things get hectic

Working Style & Mindset

• Detail-oriented without losing sight of the bigger picture

• Adaptable and comfortable with ambiguityyou can pivot when plans change

• Collaborative team player who builds bridges between disciplines

• Accountable and reliablewhen you sayyou'lldo something, you follow through

• Curious and eager to learn, open to feedback and committed to growth

• Positive attitude with ability to bring energy and constructive problem-solving to challenges

Success Metrics

Project Performance

• 90%+ of assigned projects delivered on time and within budget (with guidance from Director)

• Positive client feedback on responsiveness, organization, and communication

• Creative team feedbackindicatingstrong supportand effective coordination

Operational Excellence

• Accurate,timelyproject status reporting with clear visibility into risks and issues

• Consistent adherence to agency processes and quality standards

• Timely escalation of problems with thoughtful analysis and potential solutions

• Clean, well-organized project documentation and file management

Professional Development

• Demonstrated improvement in capabilities over 6-12 months (betterfinancial management, more strategic thinking, stronger client relationships)

• Proactive contribution to process improvements and operational discussions

• Positive trajectory toward increased responsibility and project complexity

What Success Looks Like

In this role,you'llhave succeeded when your projects run smoothly, your creative teams trust you to protect their time and set them up for success, and your clients feel well-cared-forthroughout the process.You'llbe known as someonewho'son top of the details, communicates clearly, solves problems proactively, and makes everyone else's job easier. YourDirectorwill rely on you to manage your portfolio with minimal oversight, andyou'llbe ready to take on increasingly complex projects and responsibilities.

Why This Role Matters

Program Managers are the operational backbone of ouragencyyou'rethe reason great creative work gets delivered on time and on budget, the reason clients feel supported and informed, and the reason our teams can focus on doing their best work. This role offers the opportunity to learn agency operations from experienced leaders, work with talented creative professionals, and contribute to projects for some of the most recognized CPG brands. Ifyou'reenergized by bringing order to complexity, love the satisfaction of checking things off the list, and want to build a career in creative operations, thisis an excellent place to start.

Seeking candidates ideally in or near the following cities: Cincinnati, OH or Fairfield, CT.