Director, Program Management (Digital Marketing)

Company Description

Saatchi & Saatchi is part of Publicis Groupe Canada and an advertising agency with the belief that creativity data media and technology should all work together and we use that to influence human behavior and drive success for clients. S&S is one of the worlds largest agency networks with 114 offices and more than 6000 employees globally. Here in our Toronto office we work with some of the countries most valued brands including Toyota Buckleys and Childrens Advil as well as several under the Mondelez banner (Crispers Oreo and Chips Ahoy just to name a few). Were an award winning agency in both creativity and effectiveness so its really important for us here to convert that innovation and the great ideas into real tangible business results for the organization.

We are seeking an experienced Director of Program Management to join our Toronto this role you will lead integrated marketing digital and web initiatives for a Tier 1 client overseeing the delivery of integrated campaigns and digital programs.

This is a hands-on leadership role combining ownership of complex high-impact projects with oversight of a small team. You will ensure seamless execution across multiple workstreams while driving consistency quality and strong client engagement across the account.

Job Description

As Director of Program Management you will be responsible for both leading key client projects and managing a team of 23 project managers working on the same account.

You will directly manage and deliver complex or high-visibility initiatives while supporting your team in day-to-day execution and client engagement. Working alongside a peer Director you will help ensure alignment consistency and high standards across all workstreams.

This role requires a balance of hands-on delivery team leadership and strategic oversight with equal accountability across all areas.

We are also looking for a candidate with deep interest in digital innovation and emerging technological shifts. You should be someone who naturally seeks out modern methodologies and champions creative solutions specifically within the advancing AI this role you will be expected to uncover ways to integrate AI and new tech into our workflows enhancing team productivity and refining client deliverables. This proactive approach will directly support our commitment to operational excellence and AI-powered efficiency.

Responsibilities

Project Leadership (Hands-On Delivery)

• Directly lead and manage complex high-impact marketing initiatives and campaigns
• Own end-to-end delivery including scope timelines budgets and stakeholder alignment
• Act as a senior-tier project lead on key workstreams particularly those requiring greater complexity or visibility

Client Engagement

• Build strong relationships with client stakeholders through direct involvement in projects
• Participate in key client conversations planning discussions and escalations
• Support consistency and quality across all client interactions led by the broader PM team

Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Manage and mentor a team of 23 project managers
• Provide guidance on delivery approach prioritization and client management
• Support PMs in owning their projects and client relationships
• Ensure consistent standards across project execution communication and reporting

Program & Delivery Oversight

• Oversee delivery across multiple concurrent workstreams and campaigns
• Ensure alignment across projects timelines and dependencies
• Maintain visibility into overall account health risks and resourcing

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with creative strategy development and QA teams to deliver integrated work
• Ensure alignment and accountability across all disciplines
• Remove blockers and support efficient execution

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Contribute to marketing and digital strategy from a delivery and execution perspective
• Identify opportunities to improve processes workflows and team efficiency
• Support account growth through strong delivery and operational excellence

Agile & Risk Management

• Apply agile or hybrid methodologies across projects
• Proactively identify and manage risks dependencies and escalations
• Ensure clear consistent reporting across all workstreams

Digital Innovation & Technology

• Stay current with evolving digital ecosystems web tech and modern industry shifts
• Advocate for the integration of AI and smart tools to drive operational excellence and team productivity
• Uncover ways to use automation and modern methodologies to refine workflows and reduce manual tasks
• Encourage a spirit of experimentation and continuous learning within the project management team

Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving

• Navigate complex delivery hurdles by evaluating diverse viewpoints and proposing high-impact solutions
• Utilize data and professional intuition to lead through ambiguity and make informed decisions
• Address risks early by challenging established assumptions and building robust mitigation plans
• Balance client expectations with business goals and execution realities when providing guidance

Qualifications

• 810 years of project management experience ideally within a marketing digital or agency environment.
• Proven experience managing complex high-visibility projects end-to-end.
• Demonstrated experience delivering web development projects and working closely with development teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of web technologies digital delivery processes and the relationship between strategy design content development and QA.
• Experience leading and mentoring project managers.
• Proven track record of delivering integrated marketing and digital initiatives for large-scale or Tier 1 clients.
• Exceptional critical-thinking and problem-solving abilities with examples of driving successful outcomes in complex or ambiguous situations.
• Strong curiosity about technology and innovation with a demonstrated ability to evaluate and adopt new tools processes and AI-driven solutions that improve team performance and client outcomes.
• Excellent client management and stakeholder communication skills.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to balance hands-on delivery and people management responsibilities.
• Deep understanding of agile and/or hybrid delivery methodologies.
• Experience with project management tools (e.g. Jira MS Project).
• PMP PMI-ACP or similar certification is a plus.

Additional Information

Eligibility: Candidates must be based in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and have valid Canadian work authorization for at least 24 months.

Hybrid Work: This role is primarily remote with in-person collaboration required approximately 34 times per month either at our Saatchi & Saatchi office in downtown Toronto or at the clients office in Scarborough. Candidates must be able to attend meetings at both locations as needed.

Time Off:
- Up to 3 weeks vacation with additional paid closure between Christmas and New Years
- Extended long weekends for provincial holidays we give you both the Monday and Friday so you get a full 4-day break
- 10 personal/sick days/per year

Flexibility & Global Mobility: Work remotely for up to 6 weeks per year from any of our 50 global offices through our Work Your World program.

Benefits: Comprehensive group coverage including:
- Medical dental and vision care
- Psychological and paramedical services
- Disability insurance
- Fertility support and gender-affirming care
- Dedicated internal guidance programs for employees navigating cancer fertility treatments or gender transition

Compensation: The salary range for this position $110000$125000 per year based on experience skills and relevant certifications. We believe in pay transparency and are committed to offering competitive market-aligned compensation.

We use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of our hiring process such as reviewing applications or analyzing resumes. These tools assist our recruitment team but never replace human decision-making. We believe in a human-first approach where your experience and potential are recognized by people.

Saatchi & Saatchi is committed to building a diverse workforce representative of our community. We encourage and are pleased to consider all qualified candidates without regard to race colour citizenship religion sex marital / family status sexual orientation gender identity aboriginal status age disability or persons who may require an accommodation to apply. If you require a specific accommodation please contact Human Resources at or by email at

Required Experience:

Director

Employment Type : Full-Time
Experience: years
Vacancy: 1
Yearly Salary Salary: 110000 - 125000