Project Manager

At GSD&M, we’re on a mission to build First & Only brands, meaning the first to do it and the only ones who can. We’re able to do this because we set a high bar for ourselves and our work. We care about what we put out in the world. We’re humans who like other humans. Our ideas make a difference. Shift culture. Create a smile. Inspire change. Initiate belly laughs. Deepen our understanding of the world and ourselves. We grow. We learn. We get better. We do it all over again. Because that’s what it takes to build and be First & Only.

• Reports To:  Associate Director of Project Management
• Supervisory Responsibilities:  No
• FLSA:  Exempt
• Travel: Not Likely

Job Summary

As a Project Manager at GSD&M, you’ll be the engine driving our creative development campaigns from kickoff to final delivery. You’ll orchestrate across cross-functional teams, manage timelines and resources, and ensure that every project meets our high standards—on time, on budget, and on brand. Your role is all about turning big ideas into reality, keeping everyone aligned, and making sure the creative magic happens, every step of the way.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead Creative Campaigns: Drive the end-to-end process of creative development projects, setting clear goals, managing timelines, and delivering exceptional results.
• Project Oversight: Manage multiple projects at once—balancing scope, schedule, and resources—while ensuring outstanding quality and efficiency.
• Workflow & Communication: Act as the central hub for project communication, facilitating collaboration across departments and keeping everyone informed and engaged.
• Resource & Schedule Management: Coordinate with department leads to assign the right talent, track capacity, and anticipate staffing needs.
• Financial Stewardship: Develop and manage project budgets, monitor costs, and partner with finance teams to ensure fiscal health of each project.
• Process Champion: Standardize workflows, maintain project documentation, and share best practices for continuous improvement.
• Proactive Scenario Planning: Proactively identify risks, back-up plans, address obstacles, and keep projects on track—no surprises.
• Reporting & Transparency: Maintain and communicate project trackers and dashboards, providing real-time visibility into project health, risks, and client satisfaction.
• Departmental Contribution: Mentor peers, share process insights, support new business pitches, and continually elevate the team’s skills.

Required Skills

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 4+ years of project management in a creative, advertising, or production environment.
• Solid grasp of production disciplines—content, print, digital, and/or live events.
• Proficient in MS Office and Adobe Acrobat; working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator).
• Comfortable with project management and collaboration tools like Asana, Trello, Jira, SharePoint, Digital Asset Management systems, and agency financial platforms.
• Strong understanding of project management fundamentals (PMBOK or similar frameworks).
• Quick to learn new tech, tools, and systems.
• Experience with Adobe Workfront is a plus.

Key Characteristics

• Stellar communicator—clear, concise, and highly collaborative.
• Master multitasker—organized, detail-oriented, and adaptable in fast-paced environments.
• Proactive problem-solver—anticipates roadblocks and delivers creative solutions.
• Calm under pressure—keeps projects (and people) on track, even when the heat is on.
• Accountable and decisive—takes ownership and makes smart decisions, even with incomplete info.
• Builds trust—gains buy-in and forges strong relationships across teams.
• Positive and solutions-oriented—brings energy, leadership, and emotional intelligence to every project.
• Design-savvy—appreciates creative excellence and can lead teams to achieve it.
• Embraces change—always looking for better ways to get great work done.
• Champions transparency—shares project status and insights openly to drive informed decisions.

At GSD&M, inclusion is our superpower.  An inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are encouraged and empowered makes the work better, makes our agency better and ultimately makes the industry better. That’s why we’re proud to be recognized by the Advertising Federation’s Mosaic Awards year after year for our efforts in diversity, equity and inclusion.

We consider ourselves lucky. Every day we wake up and get to build First & Only brands in an inclusive environment where everyone matters, all while enjoying generous benefits, plenty of time off, and opportunities for growth whether you’re just starting out or have been in the biz for a while.

GSD&M is an equal opportunities employer and will never favor or discriminate against anyone based on their age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, marriage or civil partnership, gender identity, expression, or realignment.  If you require a medical or religious accommodation during the job application process, please reach out to keisha.townsend@gsdm.com for support. 

This role requires regular in-office presence with a minimum of three days per week, to engage and collaborate in in-person team interactions and meetings as required.