Director, Program Management (Marketing)

Company description

Saatchi & Saatchi is part of Publicis Groupe Canada and an advertising agency with the belief that creativity, data, media and technology should all work together, and we use that to influence human behavior and drive success for clients. S&S is one of the world's largest agency networks with 114 offices and more than 6000 employees globally.

Here in our Toronto office we work with some of the countries most valued brands including Toyota, Buckley's, and Children's Advil, as well as several under the Mondelez banner (Crispers, Oreo, and Chips Ahoy just to name a few). We’re an award winning agency in both creativity and effectiveness, so it’s really important for us here to convert that innovation and the great ideas into real tangible business results for the organization.

We are seeking an experienced Director of Program Management to join our Toronto team. In this role, you will lead integrated marketing, digital, and web initiatives for a Tier 1 client, overseeing the delivery of integrated campaigns and digital programs.

This is a hands-on leadership role, combining ownership of complex, high-impact projects with oversight of a small team. You will ensure seamless execution across multiple workstreams while driving consistency, quality, and strong client engagement across the account.

Overview

As Director of Program Management, you will be responsible for both leading key client projects and managing a team of 2–3 project managers working on the same account.

You will directly manage and deliver complex or high-visibility initiatives, while supporting your team in day-to-day execution and client engagement. Working alongside a peer Director, you will help ensure alignment, consistency, and high standards across all workstreams.

This role requires a balance of hands-on delivery, team leadership, and strategic oversight, with equal accountability across all areas.

We are also looking for a candidate with deep interest in digital innovation and emerging technological shifts. You should be someone who naturally seeks out modern methodologies and champions creative solutions, specifically within the advancing AI environment.

In this role, you will be expected to uncover ways to integrate AI and new tech into our workflows, enhancing team productivity and refining client deliverables. This proactive approach will directly support our commitment to operational excellence and AI-powered efficiency.

Responsibilities

Project Leadership (Hands-On Delivery)

• Directly lead and manage complex, high-impact marketing initiatives and campaigns
• Own end-to-end delivery, including scope, timelines, budgets, and stakeholder alignment
• Act as a senior-tier project lead on key workstreams, particularly those requiring greater complexity or visibility

Client Engagement

• Build strong relationships with client stakeholders through direct involvement in projects
• Participate in key client conversations, planning discussions, and escalations
• Support consistency and quality across all client interactions led by the broader PM team

Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Manage and mentor a team of 2–3 project managers
• Provide guidance on delivery approach, prioritization, and client management
• Support PMs in owning their projects and client relationships
• Ensure consistent standards across project execution, communication, and reporting

Program & Delivery Oversight

• Oversee delivery across multiple concurrent workstreams and campaigns
• Ensure alignment across projects, timelines, and dependencies
• Maintain visibility into overall account health, risks, and resourcing

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with creative, strategy, development, and QA teams to deliver integrated work
• Ensure alignment and accountability across all disciplines
• Remove blockers and support efficient execution

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Contribute to marketing and digital strategy from a delivery and execution perspective
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, workflows, and team efficiency
• Support account growth through strong delivery and operational excellence

Agile & Risk Management

• Apply agile or hybrid methodologies across projects
• Proactively identify and manage risks, dependencies, and escalations
• Ensure clear, consistent reporting across all workstreams

Digital Innovation & Technology

• Stay current with evolving digital ecosystems, web tech, and modern industry shifts
• Advocate for the integration of AI and smart tools to drive operational excellence and team productivity
• Uncover ways to use automation and modern methodologies to refine workflows and reduce manual tasks
• Encourage a spirit of experimentation and continuous learning within the project management team

Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving

• Navigate complex delivery hurdles by evaluating diverse viewpoints and proposing high-impact solutions
• Utilize data and professional intuition to lead through ambiguity and make informed decisions
• Address risks early by challenging established assumptions and building robust mitigation plans
• Balance client expectations with business goals and execution realities when providing guidance

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of project management experience, ideally within a marketing, digital, or agency environment.
• Proven experience managing complex, high-visibility projects end-to-end.
• Demonstrated experience delivering web development projects and working closely with development teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of web technologies, digital delivery processes, and the relationship between strategy, design, content, development, and QA.
• Experience leading and mentoring project managers.
• Proven track record of delivering integrated marketing and digital initiatives for large-scale or Tier 1 clients.
• Exceptional critical-thinking and problem-solving abilities, with examples of driving successful outcomes in complex or ambiguous situations.
• Strong curiosity about technology and innovation, with a demonstrated ability to evaluate and adopt new tools, processes, and AI-driven solutions that improve team performance and client outcomes.
• Excellent client management and stakeholder communication skills.