Senior Program Manager- Freelance

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. 
 
We have been building the world's most valuable brands for 50 years and have global reach across 100+ markets, with deep local expertise.
 
Our people are the key to our success. We're committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow. 
 
For more information, visit WPP.com.
 

Why we're hiring:

Seeking a highly experienced and dynamic Senior Program Manager to join our Client & Business Leadership team. In this crucial contract role, you will be responsible for leading a comprehensive program of marketing and digital initiatives for a key client, ensuring excellence in execution and fostering strong client relationships. You will manage diverse workstreams, from traditional broadcast (TVC) to digital campaigns (banners, web), and will play a pivotal role in financial oversight and team mentorship. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned professional to make a significant impact on a major client account within a leading global agency.

What you'll be doing:

• Program Leadership: Lead and oversee a broad program of interconnected projects for an assigned client, encompassing TVC, digital banners, web development, and other marketing deliverables.
• Project Management: Drive the successful planning, execution, and delivery of multiple concurrent projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within scope, and on budget.
• Client & Stakeholder Management: Serve as a primary point of contact for the assigned client, building strong, trusted relationships and effectively communicating project status, challenges, and solutions.
• Team Management & Mentorship: Guide, mentor, and manage junior program/project team members, fostering their development and ensuring cohesive team performance.
• Financial Management: Own the financial health of the program, including budgeting, forecasting, tracking, and reconciliation for all assigned projects, ensuring profitability and accurate financial reporting.
• Digital Workstream Oversight: Lead and manage complex digital workstreams, demonstrating a deep understanding of digital marketing ecosystems, technologies, and best practices.
• Production Expertise: Oversee end-to-end production processes across various media, including broadcast (TVC), digital display, and web, ensuring high-quality output.
• Risk Management: Proactively identify potential risks and challenges, developing mitigation strategies to keep projects on track.
• Process Improvement: Champion best practices and contribute to the continuous improvement of VML's program management methodologies and tools.
• New Business Involvement: Potentially contribute to new business pitches as required, leveraging program management expertise to help secure new opportunities.

What you'll need:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Project Management, or a related field.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in program or senior project management within a creative agency or similar client-services environment.
• Proven track record of successfully leading a program of diverse and complex projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing and mentoring junior team members.
• Exceptional financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, tracking, and reporting.
• Extensive experience overseeing digital workstreams and a strong understanding of digital marketing tactics and technolo