Project Manager

ABOUT MESSAGE LAB

Message Lab is a fast-growing content marketing agency that combines journalism, data, and design to create content that resonates with audiences. We have a strong point of view on how editorial, design, and data work together in the service of a singular goal. It starts with identifying great stories that support the ideas our clients care about and bringing them to life in a range of formats. Our work spans the gamut of a modern publication—from full ground-up publications to individual high-end interactive storytelling pieces, and everything in between. We focus on partnering with our clients to find what they really need to get the job done and use our top-tier skills in strategy, editorial, design, and analysis to deliver.

We run a number of programs and publications for a roster of business and technology clients (including Google, the Gate Foundation, SoftBank, ServiceNow, and others), creating and producing well-sourced, deeply-reported stories. Our editorial team comes from the WSJ, NY Times, Bloomberg, and similar places, and we hold the work we’re doing now to the standards of those publications. To be clear: We’re an agency that does work for companies. You should be someone who thinks that’s interesting and an opportunity to learn exciting new skills (which we don’t expect you to have right away). We have a team focused on using analytics to understand and improve reader engagement who you’ll be expected to work closely with — another great opportunity to learn.

We are looking to add to our team of employees from diverse backgrounds who want to create content that improves the people's experience with our client’s brands and helps rid the world of content no one cares about.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

Message Lab is seeking a Content Operations Project Manager for our Delivery operation team. The role will be responsible for the day-to-day management and delivery of projects to clients. As a member of the operations team, with other project managers, you will be a part of, and building out, Message Lab’s operational excellence for projects.

As the Project Manager, you will be expected to speak to the full scope of project activities and services and lead internal teams to be organized on the delivery of work. You’re often the main POC for clients, and you’re expected to determine when to pull in resources, raise flags on a project, and maintain the project schedule.

Role location: This role is fully remote, and Message Lab will accept applicants within the San Francisco Bay Area, Boston Area, Portland, OR, and New York, NY. Unfortunately, at this time, we are not accepting candidates outside of the United States. All of our teams are fully remote and require employees to be available and online during our core business hours (10am-2pm PT), regardless of their physical location. 

 

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

As a Content Operations Project Manager on the Operations team, you will…

• Lead the development of project documentation—client and internal briefs, meetings, project plans, scope, and risk assessments ongoing throughout the project
• Effectively manage changing client needs and requirements throughout the engagement
• Ensure high quality of deliverables by verifying deliverables against client needs, scope, and ML quality standards
• Manage day-to-day client interaction and set and manage client expectations
• Develop relationships with client personnel that foster client loyalty, and build a knowledge base of each client's business, organization, and objectives
• Collaborate with strategists, designers, writers, editors, project managers, clients, and other stakeholders to make deliverables and meet deadlines
• Track and report team progress (against scope) internally and to clients on an ongoing basis
• Manage project budgets in collaboration with the VP of Client Experience and Finance team
• Handle ongoing management/knowledge on the use of hours by team members against estimates for your project

Essential skills:

• Minimum 4+ years of client management experience in an agency or consultancy environment
• A deep understanding of the agency <> client environment and what is required to maintain successful accounts, relationships, and projects
• Familiarity with managing technical projects that involve website development
• Familiarity with editorial content development, digital advertising, marketing and communications, branding and campaign development
• Bias for action and ability to course-correct and problem-solve
• Detail-oriented with the ability to see the big picture and challenge the traditional
• Strong decision-making skills
• Comfort using tools that support remote collaboration and account tracking, such as G-suite, Slack, Miro, and Notion
• Possess a general understanding or willingness to understand the basics of key tools like:
  • Smartsheet, Airtable, Google Analytics, SEM Rush, Ahrefs, Google Search Console, MailChimp, Marketo, and paid Social on LinkedIn and Twitter
• Knowledge of Content management tools such as:
  • WordPress, AEM (Adobe Experience Manager)
• Familiarity with marketing tools such as Hubspot
• Experience with task management tools, including Asana 
  
   

WORKING AT MESSAGE LAB

Hiring philosophy: Message Lab doesn’t just accept differences; we fundamentally celebrate and seek out diversity. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind and are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunities for all employees and to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment.

All employment decisions, including decisions to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, are based on business needs, job requirements, merit, and qualifications. These decisions are expressly made without regard to any status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.

If you are interested in the job but don’t know if you meet every single requirement, please apply. Nobody checks every box, and we know that you are more than just a resume.

The salary range for this role is commensurate with experience and is as follows: 

• Starting minimum: $100,000
• Role cap: $115,000 

Benefits: 

• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability
• 401(k) retirement plan and FSA accounts for medical and dependent care
• Flexible PTO, paid sick, and wellness days
• Parental and pregnancy revival leave
• Fully remote and distributed teams across the US
• A flexible work-from-home policy as needed (even post-COVID)
• Office equipment purchase for new employees and monthly and annual tech budgets
• A growing team that’s motivated to create high-quality, industry-leading work
• A fun environment that includes lots of laughing, outings, and camaraderie

 

 

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We're part of Orchestra, the first communications company built for today’s media landscape. Since 2022, it’s acquired nine firms, including: BerlinRosen, Civitas Public Affairs Group, Derris, Glen Echo Group, Inkhouse, M18, Message Lab, Onward and Small Girls PR. It also launched Brightmode, a talent acquisition firm for your communication professionals. Learn more at: www.orchestraco.com.

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