Senior Program Manager

VML, part of WPP, is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human-first, award-winning work for blue-chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave™ Reports as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services, and Marketing Measurement & Optimization. VML’s global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55+ markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney.

Hudson Rouge is an integrated luxury boutique marketing and communications agency within WPP that works solely on luxury brands and is the exclusive agency of record for the Lincoln Motor Company business across all channels. We combine brand strategy, media strategy, activation, digital, social, earned media, production, and analytics to provide exquisitely crafted creativity. We are a small, globally distributed team with offices in New York, Detroit, Shanghai, Toronto, and Mexico City.

About the role

We are seeking an exceptionally skilled, strategic, and experienced Senior Digital Program Manager to join our dynamic delivery team. This is a critical leadership role responsible for the successful planning, execution, and delivery of complex, multi-channel digital marketing campaigns that are audience-centric and results-driven. You will act as the central orchestrator, guiding cross-functional teams and managing all aspects of digital production, with a particular emphasis on .com development, online advertising, and email marketing initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage complex digital projects from inception to completion, encompassing scope definition, detailed project planning, resource allocation, budget management, and timeline adherence.
• Drive the successful delivery of multi-channel marketing campaigns, including significant .com content development and implementation in a CMS, robust online advertising programs, and sophisticated email marketing journeys.
• Develop and manage comprehensive project documentation, including SOWs, functional specifications, project plans, risk assessments, and status reports.
• Possess a strong understanding of the technical, creative, and strategic requirements for each digital channel (.com, online advertising, email marketing).
• Identify and manage interdependencies between channels, ensuring cohesive campaign execution and integrated audience experiences.
• Oversee content delivery to various platforms and channels (CMS, ESP, Ad Servers, DMPs).
• Oversee the production lifecycle for website development, landing pages, and other digital experiences, from discovery and wireframing through design, development, QA, and deployment.
• Ensure adherence to best practices for web content development, speed optimization, and SEO technical requirements.
• Facilitate QA testing and deployment processes.
• Manage the production of various online advertising assets (display, rich media, video, social ads), including asset gathering, trafficking, and quality control.
• Oversee dynamic creative optimization (DCO) implementations and manage ad server integrations.
• Coordinate with media teams to ensure creative assets meet technical specifications and are delivered on schedule for campaign launches.
• Lead the development and execution of email marketing campaigns, including template design/development, audience segmentation setup, automation flows, and A/B testing implementation.
• Coordinate with partner agencies for development and delivery.
• Ensure compliance with email deliverability best practices and privacy regulations (e.g., CAN-SPAM, GDPR).
• Serve as the primary point of contact for internal teams on project status, risks, and changes, building strong, trusted relationships.
• Lead internal project kick-offs, stand-ups, and review meetings, ensuring clear communication and alignment across creative, strategy, media, technical, and account teams.
• Effectively manage and coordinate with client-based teams, partners, and external vendors.
• Define, implement, and optimize project management methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Waterfall) tailored to project needs.
• Establish and enforce rigorous quality assurance (QA) processes for all digital deliverables.
• Continuously seek opportunities to improve production workflows, efficiency, and overall project delivery.
• Proactively identify potential project risks, develop mitigation strategies, and escalate issues appropriately.
• Demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, navigating technical challenges, resource constraints, and scope creep.
• Maintain a flexible and adaptable approach in a constantly evolving digital landscape.
• Manage large-scale project budgets, track actuals against estimates, and ensure project profitability.
• Assist in forecasting and resource planning for future projects.

Requirements

• 7+ years of progressive digital project management/production experience within an agency environment, with a significant portion in a global or large-scale agency (WPP agency experience preferred).
• Proven track record of successfully delivering complex, multi-channel digital marketing campaigns.
• Deep understanding and hands-on experience with .com content implementation (CMS platforms like AEM), online advertising campaigns (ad servers, DSPs), and advanced email marketing.
• Expert-level knowledge of project management methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, Hybrid approaches).
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana, Trello, MS Project, Workfront, SmartSheet).
• Strong technical acumen – ability to understand and discuss development processes, integration points, and digital technologies.
• Exceptional client-facing communication skills, including presentation, negotiation, and expectation management.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and motivate cross-functional teams, partners, and external vendors.
• Proactive risk identification and mitigation, with a solution-oriented mindset.
• Strong financial management and budgeting skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects concurrently under pressure.
• Strategic thinker with a keen understanding of how digital projects contribute to overall business objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Project Management, or related experience.
• PMP, CSM, or other relevant certifications are a strong plus.

Pay

$75,000—$180,000 USD

Schedule

Hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week.