Freelance Project Manager

Position: Project Manager (Design)

Type: Freelance / Contract

Length: 16+ months

Location: Remote (EST highly preferred)

This is a 40 hours per week remote temporary position in the US (1099 contractor).

Primary Purpose

Represent Marks and support our ever-evolving business needs and act as an integral member of the team, building partnerships and collaboration with both agency and client teams. Serve as the primary liaison between the agency and the client, working exclusively on a dedicated client’s business from our near site agency office.

As the Project Manager, you are responsible for supporting assigned projects in collaboration with the client teams and internal Sr. Project Managers and Sr. Account Managers to develop, revise project timelines to kick-off and keep all projects moving smoothly from start to finish. The position of Project Manager is critical within the agency and client teams for assessing deliverable needs in order to properly delegate projects to team members based on current workloads. This position provides continuity and ownership of key project deliverables and timelines to effectively and efficiently meet product manufacturing due dates. Primarily, coordinate and provide an interface between the client, vendors and agency teams to ensure flawless execution and on-time delivery.

In the face of demanding deadlines, multiple, rapidly changing priorities, you will support and exhibit behaviors consistent with Marks values and beliefs in a fiscally responsible manner.

Marks philosophy: Design integrity, Technical accuracy and Speed to market.

Reporting To

Design Account Director

General Overview

The Project Manager will work closely with the cross functional teams including Sr. Account Managers, Sr. Project Managers ,Traffic/Scheduling Manager, Designer, Copywriter, Regulatory, Sr. Quality Manager and Production Artists to support and contribute to the day to day project management, deliverables and flawless execution. Clearly understand client objectives and concisely communicate expectations to the team in a timely manner. Learn the workflow process to effectively and independently manager and support specific project types, such as, working with the team to modify existing SKU artwork files for vendor switch/share, maintenance, and/or partner with the team to develop new design that meet client expectations and are within brand style guidelines. This role will advocate our culture, brand and community.

Responsibilities

ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT

• Be the dependable and trusted day to day primary point of contact for any and all matters for assigned client/agency projects
• Develop and build strong, long-lasting relationships with client/agency/vendor teams
• Partner with Sr. Account Managers and other Sr. Project Managers to proactively anticipate workload, schedule project brief kick-off meetings, prepare and initiate projects in project management tool, set up folders on the server, gather necessary materials from the vendors, set and manage timeline expectations with client/agency/vendors
• Learn and understand the product life cycle, workflow process, and phases of development and timing needs to effectively manage project deliverables and meet client expectations
• Participate in weekly status meetings with client/agency teams to ensure projects are progressing in a timely manner to meet key deadlines
• Proactively engage and collaborate daily with other Sr. Account Managers and Sr. Project Managers, Lead Designers and Production Artists to track project progress and keep both client and agency teams informed of key due dates, update all parties of needs to reschedule projects and/or reset expectations based on new or changing priorities; ensure transparency and no surprises on timeliness of project deliverables
• Effectively manage all client requests and alert or escalate any issues to the Sr. Account Managers and/or Group Account Director as needed, and keep them apprised of workload demands to best manage team resources and address potential risks

CLIENT SERVICE/COMMUNICATION

• Demonstrate understanding of client’s brands and importance of adhering to brand style guidelines throughout project development
• Ensure client expectations and projects are effectively managed: keeping our clients happy, being an invaluable resource, provide timely and successful delivery of project solutions according to Brand Style Guidelines and brief objectives
• Attend creative brief kick-off meetings to learn and understand process different tier project types to gain a comprehensive understanding of project objectives to best support team needs, communicate and manage client expectations based on due dates
• Develop and issue meeting recaps that outlines key discussion points, requests and/or agreements, and key next steps/timing to key team members in a concise and timely manner
• Communicate and provide oversight on client/vendor requests with agency cross functional teams, review artwork files to ensure accuracy and flawless execution, route artwork files to client/vendor for review/approvals, route vendor contract proofs for approval. Notify all parties of any comments and final approvals, ensure timely release of final approved files
• Transparency: keep all team members informed of any and all changes and escalate as needed to communicate key dates to drive towards throughout the project and keep team on task

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

• Participate in and supports agency business objectives appropriate to role (quality objectives, process consistency, company policies)
• Maintain balance and flow of information throughout all departments. Reporting to Sr. Account Managers and leadership about current workflow and/or any team capacity issues, or delays on project deliverables
• Actively identify and suggest workflow/processes improvement opportunities
• Proactively contribute to the development and continuous improvements of SOPs

Success In The Role

Success in this role is achieved by consistently demonstrating the ability to proactively support and collaborate with Sr. Account Managers and Sr. Project Managers, effectively manage your assigned projects and collaborate with the client and agency teams to achieve business objectives, uphold the Marks Design Pillar Standard of Excellence, manage multiple priorities with internal and external clients, deliver flawless execution and meet critical deadlines. Earn the respect and trust of both internal agency and client key contacts as a reliable, knowledgeable resource to help the team achieve results

Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor degree in Marketing or related field
• Minimum 2-3 years of relevant Production/Project Management experience in a design, packaging or engineering agency environment preferred
• Understanding of the creative and production process, and CPG/packaging design and manufacturing experience is a plus
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate and manage project workflows, timelines and key deliverables across functional team members both internally and client/vendor facing
• Superior organizational skills with proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, while paying strict attention to the details and adhering to brand style guidelines
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
• Proficient using Mac OS, and Microsoft Products; and project management/routing programs

Ideal Candidate Will Possess

• Strong project management skills with hands-on project management and execution experience working on fast paced retail/CPG client business
• Comfortable working within a high-volume, fast-paced, dynamic creative environment and demonstrate resiliency, quickly adjust and adapt to changes
• Highly self-motivated, resourceful, organized and very detail oriented
• Ability to navigate and construct workable solutions when presented with multiple and, often times, conflicting points of view
• Unflappable, ability to bring a sense of focus and calm assurance to high-energy interactions
• A collaborative team oriented approach to working and keeping all parties informed
• A sense of humor and have passion for your job

Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

This is a remote temporary position in the US.