Program Manager | Account Management | Scanad Uganda

Role Summary:

As a Program Manager at Scanad Uganda, you are a vital client partner, passionately representing our agency and ensuring operational excellence. You serve as the trusted day-to-day contact for junior to mid-level clients, collaborating with account leadership to drive efficiency, speed-to-market, resource optimization, and profitability.

You are an efficient, organized, and accountable leader with strong strategic planning, commercial acumen, and business savvy. Your ability to build relationships and leverage Ogilvy's diverse capabilities is key to delivering exceptional results. You don't just fulfill requests; you proactively interrogate client briefs to understand and solve their broader business challenges, adding significant value beyond the immediate task.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as the primary project contact and lead collaborator for all stakeholders, creative teams, specialists, and agency partners.
• Manage project workflow systems, including data entry and reporting.
• Oversee brand objectives and expectations within the DigiTribe-Feed program, including project planning, execution, and monitoring for on-time delivery.
• Integrally manage internal teams, providing clear, brand-aligned briefs to facilitate effective content marketing strategies, community building, measurement, and optimization.
• Identify potential project risks and develop contingency plans to ensure alignment with strategic goals.
• Influence work efficiency and quality, advocating for strong agency-client relationships.
• Mobilize and drive integrated teams towards progress, action, and results.
• Effectively present work from a delivery standpoint.
• Collaborate with project leads to define staffing and scoping needs, ensuring efficient resource allocation for individual brands and overall program goals.
• Champion and manage compliance with the Diageo Digital Code and Diageo Marketing Code alongside community managers, content managers, and the program team.
• Partner with external agencies and third-party suppliers to deliver on briefs and business needs.
• Work with project leads and teams to define, track, and optimize campaign-specific KPIs that measure success and contribute to the brand's vision.
• Foster high levels of team effectiveness (trust, communication, collaboration, productivity, diversity, engagement).
• Understand and respect every department’s role, building strong inter-departmental relationships.
• Identify new initiatives and opportunities that contribute to overall team goals.
• Adapt to changing circumstances, such as shifts in market conditions or emerging opportunities, making informed strategic decisions.

Role Requirements:

• 3-5 years of relevant, client-facing industry experience in managing the delivery of creative or marketing programs.
• Ideally, experience delivering programs across at least three different capabilities (e.g., B2C, CPG, digital, tech, influence).
• Demonstrable knowledge of client and agency operations, with a working understanding of Ogilvy’s capabilities.
• Curious, a lifelong learner with proven negotiation skills.
• Strong project management skills in scoping, resource planning, and project planning, with proficiency in various project management tools.
• Proven ability to form strong client relationships.
• Demonstrated capability to deliver projects on budget and on time.
• Developing commercial abilities, business, and financial acumen.
• A clear understanding of the dynamics of the project management process as it relates to client business.
• Strong internal relationships, particularly with creative teams.
• An excellent listener who can read people and adapt their communication style accordingly.
• Accountable, with a calm and confident professional presence.

Company Overview – Scanad Uganda:

Scanad Uganda is the leading indigenous integrated agency in Uganda, renowned for managing an extensive portfolio of local, regional, and global clients including Airtel, dfcu Bank, Diageo (UBL), P&G, Unilever, Coca-Cola, Basco Paints, Sanlam, Upfield, and many more. With over 31 years of experience in the Ugandan market, Scanad Uganda has established itself as a pivotal partner for businesses seeking growth and innovation. As part of WPP Scangroup and the wider WPP network, Scanad Uganda benefits from unparalleled resources and expertise in the advertising and marketing industry. Our history of successful collaborations with clients has earned us numerous accolades, including Lories, UAA (Silverbacks), and the Uganda Marketing Excellence Awards, among others.