Project Manager | Creative & Marketing Operations

Placement Type:N/ASalary:$45-65 HourlyProactive Talent PipelineStart Date:May 2, 2026ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITYWe're building talent pipelines for Project Manager roles supporting a Fortune 500 home improvement retailer's creative, marketing, and brand operations. This is not an active requisition-we're identifying qualified project managers now for anticipated opportunities in 2026.Why register your interest?Early access when roles openDirect connection to hiring managersFirst consideration before public postingsTHE ROLEAs a Project Manager, you'll orchestrate the flow of creative and marketing projects from concept through execution, working across creative teams, brand managers, merchandising, and production stakeholders. You'll manage complex project lifecycles, maintain comprehensive project plans, drive accountability to deadlines, and ensure seamless communication across multiple workstreams.Core Responsibilities:PROJECT CONTROL & PLANNING (40%)Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans for creative deliverables (packaging design, marketing campaigns, brand initiatives, digital assets)Define project scope, requirements, timelines, and dependencies through stakeholder collaborationMonitor project execution against baseline plans, tracking milestones and deliverablesIdentify and document scope changes, coordinating approval workflowsMaintain detailed project logs tracking all changes, decisions, and status updatesManage project budgets and resource allocation within approved parametersEnsure timely handoffs between creative teams, internal clients, and production teamsPROJECT COMMUNICATIONS (30%)Serve as central point of contact for all project-related communicationsDevelop and distribute regular status reports, scorecards, and project dashboardsLead project kickoff meetings, defining goals, objectives, target audiences, and approval chainsFacilitate follow-up meetings to resolve blockers and maintain project momentumCreate and present project review documents to senior leadershipDocument and track project issues, driving timely resolution with appropriate stakeholdersTranslate technical/creative details into business language for executive audiencesPROJECT RISK MANAGEMENT (10%)Proactively identify potential project risks (timeline, scope, resource, quality)Develop mitigation strategies and contingency plansMonitor project activities for risk indicators and early warning signsEscalate critical risks to project sponsors and leadership with recommended actionsDocument risk events and outcomes for organizational learningPROJECT LESSONS LEARNED (10%)Capture key learnings at project completion or major phase gatesDocument what worked, what didn't, and recommendations for improvementShare insights with peer project managers through knowledge-sharing sessionsApply lessons learned to improve processes and outcomes in subsequent projectsContribute to continuous improvement of PMO standards and best practicesPROJECT ENVIRONMENT & TEAM COORDINATION (10%)Foster collaborative, inclusive working environment across project teamsEnsure roles, responsibilities, and expectations are clearly defined and understoodCoordinate cross-functional resources (creative, marketing, merchandising, production, agencies)Manage relationships with external vendors and agency partners when applicableSupport team morale and productivity throughout project lifecycleKEY PROJECT TYPES YOU'LL MANAGEDepending on team placement, you might oversee:Creative & Brand Projects:Packaging design and redesignsBrand identity and visual system updatesMarketing campaign development (seasonal, promotional, always-on)Photography and video production shootsPrint collateral and in-store signageDigital & Marketing Projects:Website redesigns or feature launchesEmail marketing campaign developmentSocial media content calendarsDigital advertising creative productionMobile app updates and releasesCross-Functional Initiatives:Product launch campaigns (coordinating creative, merchandising, operations)Private label brand developmentPromotional event planning and executionStore experience enhancements (signage, displays, customer-facing materials)REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONSMust-Haves:Experience:3-5+ years project management experience in creative, marketing, or brand environmentsProven track record managing multiple concurrent projects with competing prioritiesExperience coordinating cross-functional teams (creative, marketing, merchandising, production)Demonstrated ability to manage projects from intake through deliverySkills:Project Planning: Scope definition, timeline development, resource planning, dependency mappingStakeholder Management: Influence without authority, expectation setting, conflict resolutionCommunication: Clear written and verbal communication, executive presence, presentation skillsOrganization: Exceptional attention to detail, documentation discipline, process adherenceTools: Project management software (Workfront, Asana, Monday.com, Jira, or similar), Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word), collaboration tools (Slack, Teams)Problem-Solving: Proactive issue identification, creative solution development, decision-making under pressureCompetencies:Ability to ask the right questions to clarify ambiguous requirementsResearch skills to gather missing information and resolve open questionsDiplomatic persistence to drive accountability without formal authorityFlexibility to adapt to changing priorities and last-minute requestsBusiness acumen to balance creative vision with budget and timeline constraintsNice-to-Haves:Industry Experience:Retail or e-commerce background (understanding of merchandising, seasonal planning, promotional calendars)CPG/packaging experience (design-to-production workflows, print production, vendor management)Agency or in-house creative team experience (creative workflows, review/approval processes)Marketing operations background (campaign management, marketing resource management)Specialized Knowledge:PMP, CAPM, or Agile certifications (PMI, Scrum)Creative production processes: Print production, photography/video shoots, packaging developmentMarketing technology: DAM systems, project management platforms, workflow automationChange management experience (process improvement, system implementations)Budget management and financial tracking for projectsTechnical Skills:Workfront expertise (this is a commonly used tool at large retailers)Adobe Workfront, Asana, Monday.com, or Smartsheet power userData visualization for reporting (Tableau, Power BI, advanced Excel)Process mapping tools (Visio, Lucidchart, Miro)IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILEYou're a strong fit if you:Thrive in fast-paced environments with shifting prioritiesAre naturally organized with systems-thinking mindsetExcel at building relationships and influencing cross-functional partnersCommunicate with clarity and confidence at all organizational levelsProactively identify and solve problems before they become crisesBalance diplomacy with accountability (firm but collaborative)Stay calm under pressure and maintain positive attitudeTake ownership of outcomes and drive projects to successful completionWORK ENVIRONMENTLocation: Atlanta, GA areaWork Model: Primarily in-office (4-5 days/week expected)Company Type: Fortune 500 retail organizationTeam Structure: Embedded within creative/marketing operations teamsPace: Fast-paced, high-volume, deadline-drivenCulture: Collaborative, values-driven, customer-focusedAbout Aquent Talent:Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands.Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. More information on our awesome benefits!Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.LI-MM3