Syntra Antwerpen en Vlaams Brabant (Syntra AB)
Associate Director Project Management
Syntra Antwerpen en Vlaams Brabant (Syntra AB), Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Associate Director Project Management
At AbelsonTaylor Group, work that makes you feel good isn’t just what we do—it’s who we are. We believe that when you feel good about your work, you bring your best self to it. That’s why we nurture an environment where creativity thrives, teamwork flourishes, and inclusivity is more than a value—it’s a way of life. Here, you’ll help propel brands that inspire health and brighter futures while finding the support, inspiration, and growth opportunities to reach your own potential.
What You’ll Do
Lead highly visible and complex projects requiring unique technology, processes, or workflows. Develop timelines, estimates, and scenarios as needed. Monitor and adjust workflows and resources to optimize project efficiency.
Supervise Associate Project Managers (APMs) on routing, approval processes, and documentation of client changes and requests. Escalate issues to the Project Director as necessary.
Manage project budgets and timelines rigorously so projects stay within budget. Monitor scope progress, identify work breakdowns, and proactively estimate for project changes. Communicate overages to internal and client teams.
Lead discussions with clients, partner agencies, and third parties on deliverables, contingencies, and scope changes. Provide insights related to project estimates and overarching budgets.
Develop and review conference reports and meeting recaps internally and externally. Lead all project close‑out meetings, communicate action items, and provide recommendations for future optimization.
Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risks for assigned accounts. Collaborate with Account, Creative, and other departments on project‑related escalations.
Collaborate with PM leadership to develop annual Statements of Work (SOWs) from a project management perspective. Identify assets, dependencies, resources, costs, and timelines needed for execution.
Oversee client financial reporting and brand health, including monthly billing summaries and financial analysis. Provide internal financial updates to leadership as required.
Leverage Project Management Software (e.g., Workamajig, Workfront, Excel) to automate tasks, ensure quality, and promote process efficiencies. Ensure consistent adoption within the PM team.
Lead internal cross‑functional status meetings and provide project management insights to clients as needed on scopes and individual projects.
Participate in new business efforts as needed, including developing proposed SOWs, timing, estimates, and presenting to clients.
Team Management and Mentorship
Lead by Example: Be proactive, solution‑oriented, and a curious learner.
Manage the entire employee lifecycle for APMs, including recruiting, onboarding, training, development, and performance reviews. Address team HR needs and escale issues as required.
Assign projects to balance workloads and challenge team members’ skills, showcasing agency capabilities.
Provide regular feedback—both formal and informal—to help team members grow their creative sensibilities and progress.
Participate in performance reviews and coach team members to create growth plans.
Facilitate psychological safety, inclusion, and diversity of perspectives within teams and across the agency.
What Makes You A Great Fit
Minimum bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, or business administration.
Preferably 7+ years in an advertising agency, especially in account management, project management, or senior marketing roles within the pharmaceutical industry; minimum 2+ years of mentorship or leadership experience.
Proven track record of delivering best‑in‑class tactics and programs; strong understanding of product lifecycle milestones.
Experience managing projects across digital, video, and other media.
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to tackle complex challenges.
Proficiency with project management tools such as Workamajig, Workfront, and Excel.
Established leader who builds trust with clients, IT, and partner agencies, with adaptive leadership style and high emotional intelligence.
Problem‑solving mindset to navigate uncertainty and changing priorities.
Benefits and Perks
Medical, Dental and Vision coverage
401(k) with 50% company match on the first 6% contributions
Adoption assistance—up to $2,500
Company‑paid life insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability insurance
Paid parental leave for birth and non‑birth parents (4 weeks)
Summer Fridays
Flexible Time Off (FTO)
11 holidays and end‑of‑year office closure
Company‑provided learning and development opportunities
Free lunch Wednesdays
Wellness program
Compensation Range:
$115,000.00 – $130,000.00. The starting salary offer will depend on the candidate’s skills, qualifications, and experience. The company reserves the right to adjust this pay range at any time.
At AbelsonTaylor Group (ATG), we love science, art, and data. Since our beginnings in 1981, ATG has been singularly focused on health, wellness, and pharma products. We value a diverse and inclusive workforce and strive to bring together people with unique skills and varied backgrounds to work toward common goals. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without discrimination regarding age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
This position follows a hybrid schedule, requiring employees to be onsite Tuesday‑Thursday each week in our Chicago office. We make reasonable accommodations for employees and applicants with disabilities who require schedule accommodations.
We are an E‑Verify employer.
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What You’ll Do
Lead highly visible and complex projects requiring unique technology, processes, or workflows. Develop timelines, estimates, and scenarios as needed. Monitor and adjust workflows and resources to optimize project efficiency.
Supervise Associate Project Managers (APMs) on routing, approval processes, and documentation of client changes and requests. Escalate issues to the Project Director as necessary.
Manage project budgets and timelines rigorously so projects stay within budget. Monitor scope progress, identify work breakdowns, and proactively estimate for project changes. Communicate overages to internal and client teams.
Lead discussions with clients, partner agencies, and third parties on deliverables, contingencies, and scope changes. Provide insights related to project estimates and overarching budgets.
Develop and review conference reports and meeting recaps internally and externally. Lead all project close‑out meetings, communicate action items, and provide recommendations for future optimization.
Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risks for assigned accounts. Collaborate with Account, Creative, and other departments on project‑related escalations.
Collaborate with PM leadership to develop annual Statements of Work (SOWs) from a project management perspective. Identify assets, dependencies, resources, costs, and timelines needed for execution.
Oversee client financial reporting and brand health, including monthly billing summaries and financial analysis. Provide internal financial updates to leadership as required.
Leverage Project Management Software (e.g., Workamajig, Workfront, Excel) to automate tasks, ensure quality, and promote process efficiencies. Ensure consistent adoption within the PM team.
Lead internal cross‑functional status meetings and provide project management insights to clients as needed on scopes and individual projects.
Participate in new business efforts as needed, including developing proposed SOWs, timing, estimates, and presenting to clients.
Team Management and Mentorship
Lead by Example: Be proactive, solution‑oriented, and a curious learner.
Manage the entire employee lifecycle for APMs, including recruiting, onboarding, training, development, and performance reviews. Address team HR needs and escale issues as required.
Assign projects to balance workloads and challenge team members’ skills, showcasing agency capabilities.
Provide regular feedback—both formal and informal—to help team members grow their creative sensibilities and progress.
Participate in performance reviews and coach team members to create growth plans.
Facilitate psychological safety, inclusion, and diversity of perspectives within teams and across the agency.
What Makes You A Great Fit
Minimum bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, or business administration.
Preferably 7+ years in an advertising agency, especially in account management, project management, or senior marketing roles within the pharmaceutical industry; minimum 2+ years of mentorship or leadership experience.
Proven track record of delivering best‑in‑class tactics and programs; strong understanding of product lifecycle milestones.
Experience managing projects across digital, video, and other media.
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to tackle complex challenges.
Proficiency with project management tools such as Workamajig, Workfront, and Excel.
Established leader who builds trust with clients, IT, and partner agencies, with adaptive leadership style and high emotional intelligence.
Problem‑solving mindset to navigate uncertainty and changing priorities.
Benefits and Perks
Medical, Dental and Vision coverage
401(k) with 50% company match on the first 6% contributions
Adoption assistance—up to $2,500
Company‑paid life insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability insurance
Paid parental leave for birth and non‑birth parents (4 weeks)
Summer Fridays
Flexible Time Off (FTO)
11 holidays and end‑of‑year office closure
Company‑provided learning and development opportunities
Free lunch Wednesdays
Wellness program
Compensation Range:
$115,000.00 – $130,000.00. The starting salary offer will depend on the candidate’s skills, qualifications, and experience. The company reserves the right to adjust this pay range at any time.
At AbelsonTaylor Group (ATG), we love science, art, and data. Since our beginnings in 1981, ATG has been singularly focused on health, wellness, and pharma products. We value a diverse and inclusive workforce and strive to bring together people with unique skills and varied backgrounds to work toward common goals. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without discrimination regarding age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
This position follows a hybrid schedule, requiring employees to be onsite Tuesday‑Thursday each week in our Chicago office. We make reasonable accommodations for employees and applicants with disabilities who require schedule accommodations.
We are an E‑Verify employer.
#J-18808-Ljbffr