Freelance Ai Project Management Jobs in Rutherford, NJ

Agency:
McCann
Job Function:
Projects and Performance Improvement
Job Subfunction:
Project and Program Management
Job Description:
Project Management Director
Reporting into: SVP, Director of Project Management
Location: New York, NY
The Role:
As Project Management Director at McCann New York, you will play a critical role in facilitating the agency's best
work, ensuring that world-class ideas are delivered with operational excellence, commercial discipline, and
seamless cross-team collaboration. You will oversee a diverse portfolio of client accounts, working closely with
Creative, Strategy, Production, and Business Leadership, while leading and developing a team of Project
Managers across all levels.
In this role, you will implement and refine operational systems, processes, and best practices that drive efficiency
and consistency throughout the project lifecycle from briefing and scoping, to execution, delivery, and project
closure. You will be accountable for drafting and owning Statements of Work (SOWs) in partnership with other
leads, managing scope and schedules, and serving as a client-facing partner who ensures transparency and
alignment at every stage.
A key responsibility will be helping to drive profitability across clients, including burn management, while
proactively identifying resourcing needs. You will work hand-in-hand with Resource Management to ensure the
right talent is allocated to the right projects, enabling both efficiency and creative excellence.
This position requires extensive hands-on project management expertise combined with the vision of a leader
passionate about the creative process and emerging technologies (including AI). You will be relied upon to
remove obstacles, define solutions, and champion operational rigor that not only delivers best-in-class client
work, but also strengthens relationships, improves efficiency, and supports the agency's growth.
What You Do:
• Under the leadership of the SVP, Director of Project Management, support the evolution of Project
Management at McCann New York, helping build a scalable, best-in-class PMO that enables outstanding
creative work and efficient delivery.
• Act as a client-facing partner, managing scope, schedules, and budgets while ensuring internal alignment
with Business Leadership and Department Leads.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Project Managers through regular check-ins, performance feedback,
and career growth support.
• Collaborate with Resource Management to define staffing needs, secure the right talent for projects, and
optimize utilization across clients and the portfolio.
• Draft, own, and manage Statements of Work (SOWs) and change orders in partnership with business and
finance leads, ensuring commercial rigor and profitability.
• Monitor project burn rates, oversee budget tracking dashboards, and mitigate overburn risk across
clients.
• Establish and refine operational systems, workflows, and client-specific processes that enhance
efficiency, consistency, and delivery quality.
• Champion industry and agency best practices in project management, ensuring teams apply structured
approaches to estimation, scheduling, and execution.
• Drive adoption of tools, reporting, and collaboration platforms that improve cross-team coordination and
client transparency.
• Integrate AI tools to automate routine tasks, streamline operations, and free teams to focus on higher-
value strategic and creative thinking.
• Foster an inclusive, connected team culture by identifying opportunities to strengthen collaboration,
communication, and DEI-driven leadership.
• Help lead any client change management initiatives, guiding teams through evolving processes, tools,
and ways of working with clarity and confidence.
Commented [KB1]: missing bullet(s) about facilitating great
work, need something about the work in here - feels too operational
:)• Anticipate and assess risks across projects and accounts, developing mitigation strategies that safeguard
delivery, profitability, and client trust.
• Collaborate seamlessly with partner agencies and external vendors to ensure unified workflows and the
successful, integrated delivery of work.
• Support new business efforts by partnering with leadership on organic growth opportunities within
existing client relationships and contributing to net-new pitches as needed.
What You Bring:
• Proven expertise in project management, production, and/or operations within an advertising or
integrated marketing environment.
• Deep knowledge of integrated campaign delivery across all mediums, including digital, social, and
emerging technologies (such as AI).
• Advanced experience in scope management, staff planning, and leading strategic conversations with
senior leadership on resourcing and delivery models.
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills, with experience managing, coaching, and onboarding project
management talent at multiple levels.
• Demonstrated ability to manage client relationships directly, including facilitating process conversations
and ensuring operational health.
• Effective negotiation, problem-solving, and conflict management skills, with a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Strong communication skills, able to influence and lead in high-pressure or fast-paced environments.
• Commitment to inclusive leadership and applying DEI principles in team and client interactions.
At McCann New York, each team member plays a significant role in our success. We recognize that our team
members' contributions may extend beyond this job description. The job description is designed to outline
primary responsibilities, qualifications, and role scope. It does not restrict team members or the organization to
only those specified duties.
Location:
McCann New York team members must reside in or be willing to relocate to the New York Tristate area unless
otherwise agreed upon by their manager and McCann New York's Human Resources team. McCann New York is
a hybrid workplace with three days in-office per week.
Salary Range:
Salary: $175,000 - $200,000. Salary ranges depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former
employees in the subject position; the associated discipline market considerations; budgetary considerations;
tenure and standing with the company (applicable to current employees); as well as the employee's/applicant's
background, pertinent experience, and qualifications.
How We Uphold McCann Values:
• Bravery: We embrace innovation and take thoughtful risks to drive bold ideas forward.
o We approach challenges with courage, resilience, and an openness to new ideas. We encourage
respectfully pushing boundaries, thinking outside the box, and proposing bold, innovative
solutions, even if they come with some risk. Being brave also means standing up for what we
believe in, respectfully challenging the status quo when necessary, and speaking up for others.
• Integrity: We are honest, transparent, and hold ourselves accountable in all that we do.
o We consistently follow through on commitments, speak up when something feels off, and
communicate openly, even when it's challenging. We take responsibility for our actions and
decisions, are willing to admit mistakes, and are always aiming to do the right thing. By
exemplifying integrity, we build trust within our teams and with our Clients, laying a foundation of
reliability and respect across all our interactions.• Generosity: We create a collaborative, inclusive environment by supporting, celebrating, and uplifting
each other with kindness, compassion, and empathy.
o We go above and beyond for others, showing kindness and giving time and resources to help our
colleagues succeed. This includes sharing knowledge, mentoring, and being a resource for
others, as well as celebrating others' accomplishments and contributions. We believe in creating
a collaborative and supportive environment where we lift each other up. Generosity also means
being inclusive, welcoming diverse perspectives, and showing empathy for others' experiences
and challenges.
How We Care for McCanners:
• Competitive insurance coverage, inclusive of medical, dental, and vision
• Time Well Taken: paid time off to take personal/vacation time off away from work as you deem consistent
with your duties, the Company's needs and its obligations
• 80 hours of Paid Sick Time per calendar year
• 21 paid Company Holidays
• Access to Spark, a learning and skill platform for your growth and development
• 401k Retirement with 6% employer matching
• Maternity, Adoption and Parental Leave ranging from 12 to 16 weeks
• Wellness resources, including free access to Headspace
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
The strength of our creative capability and innovative thinking has led to some of the world's most celebrated,
effective, game-changing work for top brands. Maximizing that strength means bringing together an extensive
mix of socially, culturally, and cognitively diverse talent - and creating conditions where they feel empowered to
boldly share the fullest expression of their unique worldview. We fiercely believe in the power of creativity and
innovation to positively influence society and inspire greater equity and inclusion within the communities we
serve. So, every day we deliberately and intentionally choose to embody our global philosophy of Conscious
Inclusion and, in turn, fuel our mission to help brands earn a meaningful role in people's lives.$150-200,000
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.
Omnicom is committed to hiring and developing exceptional talent. We agree that talent is uniquely distributed, and we're focused on developing inclusive teams that can bring the best solutions to everything we do. We strongly believe that celebrating what makes us different makes us better together. Join us-we look forward to getting to know you. We will process your personal data in accordance with our Recruitment Privacy Notice.
Link to Recruitment Privacy Notice: https://www.omc.com/privacy-notice
For US Job Seekers:
It is the policy of Omnicom and any of its affiliates to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, ethnic origin, gender, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law. EOE/AA/M/D/V/F.