Deputy Program Manager Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Agency:
TBWA
Job Function:
Account Management and Growth
Job Subfunction:
Account Management
Job Description:
Title: Deputy Program Account Manager
Reports to: Program Account Manager
Client: US Army
THE ROLEReady to lead? We're looking for a sharp, strategic Deputy Program Account Manager (DPAM or Deputy) to join our Chicago office and own client relationships that matter.
The Deputy is a strategic orchestrator who reports to the Program Account Manager for the U.S. Army Account, with primary accountability for leading all recruitment marketing activity. This role demands deep expertise in understanding and orchestrating modern, integrated marketing capabilities enabled by emerging and integrated technologies-serving as the essential bridge between internal agency partnerships and external Army stakeholders. As the central point of contact for the Director of Marketing for the Army Enterprise Marketing Office (AEMO), the Deputy must combine technical acumen with strategic vision to assess program effectiveness, identify and evaluate new technology capabilities to drive measurable results, and champion continuous marketing advancements. Success requires coordinating across the entire cross-agency functional leadership team (IAT) and U.S. Army Workstreams to ensure seamless program execution, issue escalation and resolution, while engaging with Senior Level Army leadership.
CRITICAL SKILLSTechnology Orchestration and Digital Capability Leadership Demonstrates deep understanding and mastery of modern, integrated technology capabilities-from data platforms and AI to digital marketing systems. Comfortable advocating for and orchestrating tech solutions that expand digital and AI capabilities to unlock effectiveness and efficiencies. Actively identifies emerging technologies, evaluates their strategic fit for the Army account, and leads cross-functional teams in seamless integration of tech-enabled marketing solutions to drive program transformation and measurable results.
Business and Category Acumen Drives accountability and understanding of the U.S. Army Recruitment Mission at a fundamental level and leads the account management team in creating innovative marketing solutions in a clear and smart manner that demonstrate a true understanding of the business, environment and problems. Projects critical future drivers and opportunities with foresight and strategic vision.
The Chief Unifier Complex business problems require multi-faceted ecosystem solutions. The DPAM must smartly unify the right cross-discipline experts-including technology, creative, strategy, and operations-for the best program outcomes. Neutralizes conflict throughout the broader Integrated Agency Team and fosters collaboration that advances excellence in the marketing program.
Operational Excellence An essential enabler and partner to the PMO lead in steering operations for the overall U.S. Army account. Drives process consistency, proposal development, activity planning, budgeting, and cross-agency staffing. Demonstrates mastery of contractual and operational boundaries, managing cost, schedule, and performance against agreed deliverables within cost-type/project-based contracts.
Full-Funnel Marketing Experience Seamlessly shifts between strategic and program conversations across call center operations, data & privacy management, content development, prospect experience, and political atmospherics. Demonstrates adaptability, agility, multitasking capability, and comprehensive understanding of the $300MM+ marketing ecosystem.
Critical Thinking, Both Intuitive and Analytical Comfortable with data across all aspects of the program (research, media, performance, etc.). Digs deep to tell a story in multiple ways. Asks the right probing questions to drive insights.
Opportunity Hunters Acts as a tireless identifier of important business Army challenges and converts them into strategic and creative opportunities for the agency.
Developing People Leads by example, establishing work ethic expectations. Challenges, inspires, and holds teams accountable. Develops growth plans, provides timely feedback, and coaches individuals with clarity and momentum. Advances team members' acumen as marketing professionals and leaders.
Relationship Builders Builds positive and productive relationships that engender trust and open the door to ideas the client needs but might not have asked for.
Persuasion Skills Confidently presents CMO-level decks, thinks on feet, and redirects as necessary and answer questions confidently. Can comfortably go off script. Commands a room and persuades through thoughtful logic and emotion.
Creative Advocacy Takes a leadership role in creating an environment that encourages the pursuit of big ideas. Diplomatically pushes the creative envelope while respecting boundaries. Guides sell-in strategy development, pre-conditions the client and protects the big idea once sold.
Inspiration and Direction Acts as an energizer that sparks team motivation towards success. Fosters a positive work environment with maturity and good judgment while respecting the dynamics of a creatively-driven agency.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FORCharacteristics and Qualification
Requires at least 12+ years experience in marketing or communications
Bachelor's degree or higher
Confidence to lead teams and represent the agency
Fosters effective teamwork and strong relationships
Strong problem-solving skills, initiative, and consistently adds value.
Great creative instincts and passion for helping develop and sell award winning creative work.
Commands and fosters an environment of respect and trust • Adaptable and flexible
Mindset & Behaviors
Problem-solver first: You anticipate issues, propose solutions proactively, and stay calm under pressure
Relationship builder: You earn trust across teams-clients, creatives, strategists, producers-and collaborate naturally
Strategic advocates for creativity: You balance business pragmatism with passion for great ideas
Resourceful and flexible: You adapt to change, ambiguity, and shifting priorities without losing focus
Team-focused leader: You genuinely invest in your team's success and growth, not just task completion
Always learning: You ask good questions, seek feedback, and look for ways to improve processes and work quality
WHY JOIN US?Our Culture We're driven by a simple belief: Good enough is not enough. We're bold, collaborative, and human-centered. We value curiosity, integrity, resourcefulness, and teams that work like pirates-creative, fearless, and committed to the mission. Here, you'll work with people who genuinely respect each other and bring their full selves to the table.
Your Growth This is a launchpad role. You'll develop hands-on expertise in campaign strategy, project management, and client relations-skills that lead directly to coordinator, manager, and senior leadership roles in the agency world. You'll have mentorship built in and real opportunities to own projects and drive impact.
$250,000-275,000
Omnicom's policy requires employees to work in the office for a minimum of three days a week, unless additional in-office days are directed by their agency or manager. Our objective is to increase this requirement over time, and many of our agencies as well as Omnicom's corporate group already require five days of in-office attendance.
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