Program Manager

Responsibilities

Program Specific

• Program Design & Planning Support
• Work with Brand Leadership to frame the business challenge / opportunity
• Work with Growth and Brand Leadership to create a scope of work (SOW). Identify exclusions and assumptions, as well as three-tiered pricing models (good, better, best)
• Complete Program set up activities and project initiation with internal and external partners/vendors
• Work with an internal team to define program requirements, workstreams, and system specifications.
• Program Team Integration & Communication
• Assemble the team with Brand Operations by coordinating with following department leads: Brand Leadership, Growth, Creative, Strategy, Engagement (media), and other departments as needed.
• Coordination of scope deliverables, timelines and budgets with consultants or outside, non-Barkley partners to achieve program and project success
• Continuous communication and alignment of timelines and budget of larger program initiatives with Project Manager and appropriate team members.
• Maintain daily communications and updates with key stakeholders across all initiatives/program deliverables.
  
• Program & Day-to-Day Management
• Develop and maintain Program schedule and weekly status updates with larger delivery team
• Initiate and conduct the larger (client, vendors, Barkley, etc.) program team status meetings, document and communicate risks and issues as it pertains to larger programs and swimlanes 
• Will work closely with the Project Manager to ensure alignment with internal Barkley project initiatives and understand daily status on key deliverables
• All program timelines are built out with Project Management consulted to ensure adequate time to allow for review, proofing, compliance and internal approvals before final delivery to client/brand
• Facilitate presentations and review of final assets with client and provide recommendations pertaining to budget and timing.
• Manage change requests initiated by the team to ensure delivery and completion by full team.
• Coordinate and ensure quality processes.
• Work internally with Project Manager to successfully close and complete final tasks to close out projects while maintaining a documented history of the initiative.
  
• Client Engagement and Delivery
• Work with clients on a daily basis, in conjunction with the Growth team and Brand Leadership, on client communication, timing, deadlines, assets, and budgets.
• Become the client’s go-to advisor and point-person for the program(s) managed.
  
• Program Scope, Health & Risk Assessment
• Ensure issues and risks are anticipated, identified, properly escalated, and resolved. Seek final resolution on all issues so initiatives do not stall or fall out of scope without warning.
• Identify out-of-scope activities.
• Manage the financial tracking process for the initiative (create and maintain status reports, attend financial meetings, follow burn reports, flag overages, identify delays that may affect budget, etc.)
• Prepare for and lead an internal post-mortem team meeting and record findings.

Agency Specific

• Adhere to Barkley Quality & Consistency Standards
• Ensure the agency’s standards (processes, tools, milestones and approvals) are followed on all initiatives.
• Enforce processes and systems (Approvals, Program Change Orders, postmortem, etc.).
• Develop detailed Program plans, including line-item pricing for each aspect of the initiative.
• Work with the finance team to assure profit margin goals are achieved on SOWs.
• Develop resource plans by working with department leads to ensure appropriate resources are in place throughout each initiative.
• Integrate and Contribute with Barkley Teams, and Facilitate a High-Performing Program Team Culture
• Motivate and guide the team as needed to encourage positive energy and generate high-quality work.
• Win the confidence of the team and of management.
• Provide industry-specific insights and subject-matter expertise, recommendations and guidance across the agency and to the client when appropriate.

Knowledge & Skills: 

The Program Manager will:

• Growth & Risk Spotting
• Seek opportunities for continuity of engagement with client – work to identify and secure future project engagements and revenue
• Be highly adaptable and able to anticipate issues and needs before they arise and take the necessary steps to alleviate.
• Able to Manage Multiple Tasks, People and Timelines
• Manage multiple initiatives, keep things moving forward and running smoothly.
• Have excellent multitasking and problem-solving skills.
• Thrive in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment.
• Confidently lead, motivate and influence progress of initiatives.
• Strong Communicator
• Successfully communicate with team members.
• Possess strong oral and written communication, analytical and interpersonal skills.
• Possess strong negotiation skills with an assertive approach.
• Give strong attention to detail.
• Leader & Decision-Making
• Be comfortable managing and influencing people who are not direct reports, as well as director-level personnel.
• Confidently lead, motivate and influence progress of initiatives.
• Proactively make decisions.
• Must possess outstanding interpersonal skills as well an articulate, friendly, “whatever it takes” attitude, along with a strong work ethic.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of experience.
• Bachelor’s degree. PMP certification is a plus.
• Experience assembling and managing budgets and schedules across multiple dependencies and disciplines.
• A professional presentation and strong personal presence.
• Position may require specific industry/category experience 
• Experience in managing multi-month and multi-year initiatives through successful delivery (time, quality, budget, etc.)
• Experience in managing the delivery of digital products and services a plus