Job Description
Who We Are:
At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.
Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.
About VML Health:
VML HEALTH is a global healthcare agency that partners with healthcare clients across a broad definition of health, from high science to wellness and everything in between. It operates fluidly within the VML agency, as a core group of health specialists (a 'vertical') that has the benefit of autonomy in management, but with support of non-health expertise.
At the heart of health is the story of life – all the highs and lows, ambitions, and possibilities. But facing a health challenge can suddenly pull people away from these stories, knocking them off course.
Our purpose is to bridge this gap, bringing people closer to life and all its meaning. We gain a deeper understanding of Healthcare Professionals' and patients' needs, behaviors and lived experiences through what we call 'radical empathy'.
VML Health creates connected brands that get to the heart, bringing people closer to the lives they want to live. Get to the heart. Connect for life.
What We're Looking For:
VML Health is seeking an experienced Senior Program Manager who can quickly understand our clients' needs and objectives and effectively manage a variety of internal stakeholders across multiple departments to deliver on those objectives. The Senior Program Manager is responsible for building, coaching, and leading teams to ensure successful project delivery by monitoring and managing against process across the brand portfolio. We need individuals who are proactive problem solvers that can manage team dynamics, manage project financial performance, clearly communicate status, and drive project deliverables to meet deadlines. This role requires someone who embodies VML's core values: Connect Meaningfully, Inspire Creatively, Include Purposefully, and Approach Positively.
What You'll Do:
Lead multiple projects and/or programs of projects under one or more clients.
Manage projects as well as coach, manage, and mentor direct reports.
Continuously monitor project health via resourcing, profitability, and burn rates.
Identify project risks and create risk mitigation plans.
Work closely with Client Engagement and delivery teams to architect solutions that best meet client requirements.
Create/draft scopes of work and staffing plans.
Manage internal teams and client relationships in alignment with the Client Engagement team.
Become an expert in our health clients' medical/legal/regulatory review processes.
Be responsible for interviewing and making recommendations to hire at the Program Manager level and below.
Serve as a key point of contact and liaison for cross-divisional teams, agency peers, and management.
Partner with Client Engagement to organically grow accounts.
Support the creation of RFP responses with other teams within VML and new business engagement.
Who You Are:
Someone with extensive team management skills for teams of 8+.
Able to provide proactive and assertive leadership in problem-solving, managing financial success of projects, maintaining timelines, and reducing waste.
Someone with strong interpersonal skills and able to resolve conflict with productive outcomes.
Able to effectively work across departments with diplomacy and a firm understanding of other's roles and perspectives.
Able to manage multiple work-streams (projects) effectively and efficiently.
Able to view problems in context at the system level and align solutions with the strategic direction of our clients and company.
Experienced with multiple application lifecycle management solutions.
Proactive, adaptable, and flexible.
A lifelong learner, demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement.
Someone with strong attention to detail.
Someone with a demonstrable ability to operate under tight deadlines with complex business/technical solutions.
Able to manage workload with minimal supervision.
An excellent written and verbal communicator.
What You'll Need:
8+ years of project management experience, including working at a marketing agency and experience working with pharmaceutical brands.
PMP Certification preferred.
What we offer:
Passionate, driven people | We champion a culture of people that do extraordinary work.
Consciously cultivated culture | We aim to embody the behaviors to build an inclusive community that is in it together, bringing both positivity and active listening into the workplace as we simultaneously strive to empower creative bravery.
Competitive benefits | What we offer full time hires ranges from the full spectrum of group health coverage options (medical, dental, vision) to a generous 401k match (100% dollar-for-dollar match, up to 5% of salary contribution), and a variety of paid time off offerings that reflect our investment in all aspects of your overall life balance and wellness.
Growth-minded opportunities | We aim to nurture a culture of real-time feedback, growth-oriented mindset, and plenty of training opportunities through VML and WPP, so you can continue to grow personally and professionally.
#vmlhealthcareers
We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we've adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.
WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.
VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
When you click "Submit Application", this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through our Recruitment Privacy Policy. California residents should read our California Recruitment Privacy Notice. This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.
At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.
Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.
About VML Health:
VML HEALTH is a global healthcare agency that partners with healthcare clients across a broad definition of health, from high science to wellness and everything in between. It operates fluidly within the VML agency, as a core group of health specialists (a 'vertical') that has the benefit of autonomy in management, but with support of non-health expertise.
At the heart of health is the story of life – all the highs and lows, ambitions, and possibilities. But facing a health challenge can suddenly pull people away from these stories, knocking them off course.
Our purpose is to bridge this gap, bringing people closer to life and all its meaning. We gain a deeper understanding of Healthcare Professionals' and patients' needs, behaviors and lived experiences through what we call 'radical empathy'.
VML Health creates connected brands that get to the heart, bringing people closer to the lives they want to live. Get to the heart. Connect for life.
What We're Looking For:
VML Health is seeking an experienced Senior Program Manager who can quickly understand our clients' needs and objectives and effectively manage a variety of internal stakeholders across multiple departments to deliver on those objectives. The Senior Program Manager is responsible for building, coaching, and leading teams to ensure successful project delivery by monitoring and managing against process across the brand portfolio. We need individuals who are proactive problem solvers that can manage team dynamics, manage project financial performance, clearly communicate status, and drive project deliverables to meet deadlines. This role requires someone who embodies VML's core values: Connect Meaningfully, Inspire Creatively, Include Purposefully, and Approach Positively.
What You'll Do:
Lead multiple projects and/or programs of projects under one or more clients.
Manage projects as well as coach, manage, and mentor direct reports.
Continuously monitor project health via resourcing, profitability, and burn rates.
Identify project risks and create risk mitigation plans.
Work closely with Client Engagement and delivery teams to architect solutions that best meet client requirements.
Create/draft scopes of work and staffing plans.
Manage internal teams and client relationships in alignment with the Client Engagement team.
Become an expert in our health clients' medical/legal/regulatory review processes.
Be responsible for interviewing and making recommendations to hire at the Program Manager level and below.
Serve as a key point of contact and liaison for cross-divisional teams, agency peers, and management.
Partner with Client Engagement to organically grow accounts.
Support the creation of RFP responses with other teams within VML and new business engagement.
Who You Are:
Someone with extensive team management skills for teams of 8+.
Able to provide proactive and assertive leadership in problem-solving, managing financial success of projects, maintaining timelines, and reducing waste.
Someone with strong interpersonal skills and able to resolve conflict with productive outcomes.
Able to effectively work across departments with diplomacy and a firm understanding of other's roles and perspectives.
Able to manage multiple work-streams (projects) effectively and efficiently.
Able to view problems in context at the system level and align solutions with the strategic direction of our clients and company.
Experienced with multiple application lifecycle management solutions.
Proactive, adaptable, and flexible.
A lifelong learner, demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement.
Someone with strong attention to detail.
Someone with a demonstrable ability to operate under tight deadlines with complex business/technical solutions.
Able to manage workload with minimal supervision.
An excellent written and verbal communicator.
What You'll Need:
8+ years of project management experience, including working at a marketing agency and experience working with pharmaceutical brands.
PMP Certification preferred.
What we offer:
Passionate, driven people | We champion a culture of people that do extraordinary work.
Consciously cultivated culture | We aim to embody the behaviors to build an inclusive community that is in it together, bringing both positivity and active listening into the workplace as we simultaneously strive to empower creative bravery.
Competitive benefits | What we offer full time hires ranges from the full spectrum of group health coverage options (medical, dental, vision) to a generous 401k match (100% dollar-for-dollar match, up to 5% of salary contribution), and a variety of paid time off offerings that reflect our investment in all aspects of your overall life balance and wellness.
Growth-minded opportunities | We aim to nurture a culture of real-time feedback, growth-oriented mindset, and plenty of training opportunities through VML and WPP, so you can continue to grow personally and professionally.
#vmlhealthcareers
We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we've adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.
WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.
VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
When you click "Submit Application", this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through our Recruitment Privacy Policy. California residents should read our California Recruitment Privacy Notice. This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Senior Program Manager (Health)- job post position is now open for candidates interested in the IT Engineer & Developer Jobs sector. This role in Chicago offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in IT Engineer & Developer Jobs is a plus.
