Program Director

Description:

As a Program Director at Havas CX, you will have two primary objectives: to define the vision and structure of client programs and oversee their execution by project managers, and to continuously improve the delivery practice. You will lead multiple projects across multiple brands or oversee a large portfolio-sized account, managing project health including financials, resources, risks, and client relationships.

You serve as the lead on large client accounts and are responsible for operational efficiencies and team health within assigned accounts. You may supervise project managers and senior project managers and collaborate closely with senior creative, technical, and executive management to ensure solutions meet client business requirements.

You are accountable for accurate financial management of assigned accounts, delivering improved margins, managing risk proactively, and participating in business development efforts.

Key Responsibilities:

Planning

• Understand client business needs and expectations deeply

• Lead project team in defining approach, deliverables, schedule, tools

• Work with client and project team to estimate costs and timelines

• Ensure project feasibility within scope, time, and budget

Execution

• Coordinate project management team activities ensuring quality output

• Review and approve invoices and timesheets timely

• Lead creation and delivery of Statements of Work (SOWs) and Change Requests (CRs)

• Ensure adherence to internal project delivery standards

• Oversee core PM functions like scheduling, team meetings, communication, and status reporting

• Update and maintain project documentation and processes

• Contribute to key client deliverables ensuring relevancy and quality

Monitoring – Scheduling, Financials, Risk Management

• Ensure scope management and change control processes are followed

• Oversee project schedule and budget compliance

• Manage financial health: estimates, forecasts, invoicing, receivables, margins

• Identify and drive solutions for project risks

• Develop and adhere to financial management processes

• Serve as escalation point for team and client issues

Client Communication

• Build and maintain relationships with key client members

• Own all client communications

• Champion client-focused culture to deepen and leverage client relationships

Team Management

• Manage direct reports, set performance expectations, provide feedback

• Foster high-performance, inclusive work environment

• Mentor and train junior team members

• Collaborate with leadership to promote best practices

Qualifications & Education:

• 10+ years managing large, complex, cross-functional interactive projects (agency preferred)

• Solid understanding of agile best practices; certification a plus

• Expertise in project delivery including budget, scope, time management

• Expert knowledge of SDLC, web/mobile technologies, digital strategy projects

• Excellent verbal, written communication, organizational and time management skills

• Experience working with Creative and UX teams

• Background or understanding of IT preferred

• Strong project management skills: risk management, work plans, resource allocation, team meetings

• Ability to manage multiple projects and project managers simultaneously

• Leadership skills to motivate and inspire teams

• Ability to solve complex account-wide problems

• Ability to balance big picture and details to drive results

• 3-5 years people management experience