Project Management Director

Project Management DirectorReporting into: SVP, Director of Project ManagementLocation: New York, NYThe RoleAs Project Management Director at McCann New York, you will play a critical role in facilitating the agency's best work, ensuring that world-class ideas are delivered with operational excellence, commercial discipline, and seamless cross-team collaboration. You will oversee a diverse portfolio of client accounts, working closely with Creative, Strategy, Production, and Business Leadership, while leading and developing a team of Project Managers across all levels.In this role, you will implement and refine operational systems, processes, and best practices that drive efficiency and consistency throughout the project lifecycle from briefing and scoping, to execution, delivery, and project closure. You will be accountable for drafting and owning Statements of Work (SOWs) in partnership with other leads, managing scope and schedules, and serving as a client-facing partner who ensures transparency and alignment at every stage.A key responsibility will be helping to drive profitability across clients, including burn management, while proactively identifying resourcing needs. You will work hand-in-hand with Resource Management to ensure the right talent is allocated to the right projects, enabling both efficiency and creative excellence.This position requires extensive hands-on project management expertise combined with the vision of a leader passionate about the creative process and emerging technologies (including AI). You will be relied upon to remove obstacles, define solutions, and champion operational rigor that not only delivers best-in-class client work, but also strengthens relationships, improves efficiency, and supports the agency's growth.What You Do• Under the leadership of the SVP, Director of Project Management, support the evolution of Project Management at McCann New York, helping build a scalable, best-in-class PMO that enables outstanding creative work and efficient delivery.• Act as a client-facing partner, managing scope, schedules, and budgets while ensuring internal alignment with Business Leadership and Department Leads.• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Project Managers through regular check-ins, performance feedback and career growth support.• Collaborate with Resource Management to define staffing needs, secure the right talent for projects, and optimize utilization across clients and the portfolio.• Draft, own, and manage Statements of Work (SOWs) and change orders in partnership with business and finance leads, ensuring commercial rigor and profitability.• Monitor project burn rates, oversee budget tracking dashboards, and mitigate overburn risk across clients.• Establish and refine operational systems, workflows, and client-specific processes that enhance efficiency, consistency, and delivery quality.• Champion industry and agency best practices in project management, ensuring teams apply structured approaches to estimation, scheduling, and execution.• Drive adoption of tools, reporting, and collaboration platforms that improve cross-team coordination and client transparency.• Integrate AI tools to automate routine tasks, streamline operations, and free teams to focus on higher-value strategic and creative thinking.• Foster an inclusive, connected team culture by identifying opportunities to strengthen collaboration, communication, and DEI-driven leadership.• Help lead any client change management initiatives, guiding teams through evolving processes, tools, and ways of working with clarity and confidence.• Anticipate and assess risks across projects and accounts, developing mitigation strategies that safeguard delivery, profitability, and client trust.• Collaborate seamlessly with partner agencies and external vendors to ensure unified workflows and the successful, integrated delivery of work.• Support new business efforts by partnering with leadership on organic growth opportunities within existing client relationships and contributing to net-new pitches as needed.What You Bring• Proven expertise in project management, production, and/or operations within an advertising or integrated marketing environment.• Deep knowledge of integrated campaign delivery across all mediums, including digital, social, and emerging technologies (such as AI).• Advanced experience in scope management, staff planning, and leading strategic conversations with senior leadership on resourcing and delivery models.• Strong leadership and mentoring skills, with experience managing, coaching, and onboarding project management talent at multiple levels.• Demonstrated ability to manage client relationships directly, including facilitating process conversations and ensuring operational health.• Effective negotiation, problem-solving, and conflict management skills, with a solutions-oriented mindset.• Strong communication skills, able to influence and lead in high-pressure or fast-paced environments.• Commitment to inclusive leadership and applying DEI principles in team and client interactions.At McCann New York, each team member plays a significant role in our success. We recognize that our team members' contributions may extend beyond this job description. The job description is designed to outline primary responsibilities, qualifications, and role scope. It does not restrict team members or the organization to only those specified duties.Location:McCann New York team members must reside in or be willing to relocate to the New York Tristate area unless otherwise agreed upon by their manager and McCann New York's Human Resources team. McCann New York is a hybrid workplace with three days in-office per week.Salary Range:Salary: $175,000 - $200,000. Salary ranges depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position; the associated discipline market considerations; budgetary considerations; tenure and standing with the company (applicable to current employees); as well as the employee's/applicant's background, pertinent experience, and qualifications.How We Uphold McCann Values:Bravery: We embrace innovation and take thoughtful risks to drive bold ideas forward. We approach challenges with courage, resilience, and an openness to new ideas. We encourage respectfully pushing boundaries, thinking outside the box, and proposing bold, innovative solutions, even if they come with some risk. Being brave also means standing up for what we believe in, respectfully challenging the status quo when necessary, and speaking up for others.Integrity: We are honest, transparent, and hold ourselves accountable in all that we do. We consistently follow through on commitments, speak up when something feels off, and communicate openly, even when it's challenging. We take responsibility for our actions and decisions, are willing to admit mistakes, and are always aiming to do the right thing. By exemplifying integrity, we build trust within our teams and with our Clients, laying a foundation of reliability and respect across all our interactions.Generosity: We create a collaborative, inclusive environment by supporting, celebrating, and uplifting each other with kindness, compassion, and empathy. We go above and beyond for others, showing kindness and giving time and resources to help our colleagues succeed. This includes sharing knowledge, mentoring, and being a resource for others, as well as celebrating others' accomplishments and contributions. We believe in creating a collaborative and supportive environment where we lift each other up. Generosity also means being inclusive, welcoming diverse perspectives, and showing empathy for others' experiences and challenges.Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:The strength of our creative capability and innovative thinking has led to some of the world's most celebrated, effective, game-changing work for top brands. Maximizing that strength means bringing together an extensive mix of socially, culturally, and cognitively diverse talent — and creating conditions where they feel empowered to boldly share the fullest expression of their unique worldview. We fiercely believe in the power of creativity and innovation to positively influence society and inspire greater equity and inclusion within the communities we serve. So, every day we deliberately and intentionally choose to embody our global philosophy of Conscious Inclusion and, in turn, fuel our mission to help brands earn a meaningful role in people's lives.