Program Manager at Ogilvy Africa

JOB PURPOSE – SUMMARY

Our Program Managers bring value to our clients by passionately and professionally representing the agency on a day-to-day basis. They are the trusted partner and point of contact for junior to mid-level clients partnering with account leadership to deliver operational discipline and delivery excellence, speed to market, resource optimization, and profitability management to their business(es).

Program Managers are efficient operators, who demonstrate strong strategic planning, commercial abilities and business and financial acumen. They are organized and accountable program leaders, who are able to build relationships and collaborate with/draw on the expertise of all Ogilvy’s capabilities.

Program Managers add value by interrogating every appropriate client brief and assignment, and striving to understand solve our client’s larger business problems, not just the immediate request at hand.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

• The key day-to-day project contact and chief collaboarator with stakeholders, creative teams, specialists and other agency partners.
• Owning project management/workflow system, data entry and reporting
• Effectively manage individual brands objectives and expectation within the DigiTribe- Feed program, including project planning, execution and monitoring project completion rates tracking to ensure on-time project delivery.
• Managing and working integrally with all internal team members and providing clear briefs that align to the brands objectives to facilitate the process of developing effective content marketing strategies, community building, measurement and optimization that lead to efficient and effective work for the brands assigned.
• Identifying potential project risks and developing contingency plans ensuring that the project stays aligned with the programs and organizations strategic goals.
• Influencing the efficiency and quality of work and advocating for the agency/client relationship.
• Mobilizing and driving the integrated team towards forward progress, action and results
• Effectively presenting work from a delivery standpoint.
• Understanding and developing any additional staffing and scoping requirements together with the project lead by measuring the efficient allocation of resources withing the individual brands ensuring that resources are used effiectively to achieve program goals.
• Championing and managing compliance of the Diageo Digital Code and the Diageo Marketing code together with the community managers, content managers and program team.
• Collaborating with external agencies and third party suppliers to deliver on briefs and business needs.
• Work with the project lead and team to define and track campaign specific KPIs that measure their success and their contributions to the brands vision, optimizing where necessary.
• Developing and maintaining high levels of team effectiveness (trust, communication, collaboration, productivity, diversity, engagement).
• Understanding & respecting every department’s role in delivering great work and building relationships.
• Identify new initiatives and opportunities that contribute to the overall team goals.
• Have the capacity to adapt to changing circumstances, such as shifts in marketing conditions, emerging opportunities and make informed decisions against the strategy.

PROFESSION, TECHNICAL SKILL AND PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• 3-5 years of related, client-facing industry experience managing “the making” or delivery of great work
• Ideally, several different account experiences delivering programs in at least 3 different capabilities (B2C, CPG, digital, tech, influence, etc.)
• Demonstrable knowledge of client and Agency operations and working knowledge of Ogilvy’s capabilities
• Curious, a lifelong learner
• Proven negotiation skills
• Strong project management skills in scoping, resource planning, and project planning. Capability in using different project management tools.
• Experience forming strong client relationships
• Demonstrated capability to get things done on budget and on time
• Developing commercial abilities, business & financial acumen
• An understanding of the dynamics and workings of the project management process as it relates to the client’s business.
• Strong internal relationships (particularly with the creative team)
• A good listener, someone who reads people and those in a room well (and adapts their style and response accordingly)
• Accountability and calm, confident presence