Senior Program Manager
Company: VML
Location: Schiller Park
Posted on: January 13, 2026
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Job Description:
Who We Are: At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in
an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of
combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse
perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and
Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner
that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology
powerhouse. Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees
across 150 offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture
that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences.
Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep
insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data,
production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that
result in revolutionary work. Who We Are Looking For: VML is hiring
a Senior Program Manager to oversee commerce program delivery for a
large CPG company in a client-facing capacity. You have commerce
expertise and a proven track record of managing delivery of
commerce/shopper marketing programs across various retailers. What
Youll Do: People | Partner with Account leads to provide ongoing
client satisfaction. Youll oversee the development of integrated
project and program deliverables across teams and agency partners,
handling concurrent workstreams for multiple retailers across North
America. Process | Establish and maintain project and program
communications. Oversee project estimations and staffing
recommendations, while implementing new processes across large
workstreams. Ensure calendars and deployment schedules are
maintained for multiple operating units globally. Leverage AI where
possible to optimize delivery and efficiency. Financials |
Responsible for project profitability. Plan, track, and approve
project expenses, billing, and invoices. Partner with the finance
team to develop a consistent profitability and utilization view
across all workstreams. Manage resource allocation on an ongoing,
weekly basis, and monitor project burn rates, budgets, and
reconciliations. Work | Drive projects forward from point A to
point B, ensuring excellent and timely delivery. Provide purpose,
direction, and motivation to the team. Youll be a champion for the
work and internal project team by taking notes, following up,
building timelines and plans, etc. Youll also build slides, create
compelling stories, and manage comprehensive documentation. Who You
Are: A builder | Process-oriented and an innovator with a strong
point of view and distinct voice. You have experience standing up
new commerce clients and establishing streamlined operations. Open
and collaborative | Comfortable with ambiguity and a champion of
team environments that encourage collaboration. You thrive in
client-facing roles, with an innate ability to understand client
problems and provide tailored solutions. Optimistic and resilient |
You dig in and work around challenges, providing the balance and
stamina needed to keep the team motivated and positive. Ego-less |
Willing to wear multiple hats to contribute to the teams success,
regardless of the task. What Youll Need: 7 years of experience in a
PMO organization and delivery management, ideally within an agency
setting. Shopper Marketing and Commerce experience is a must, with
a background in CPG brands and omnichannel programs. Proven track
record of managing direct reports. Experience working with
integrated agency teams and external partner agencies. Familiarity
with Smartsheet, Excel, Monday.com, Workday, and Jira. Experience
with Workfront or Proof HQ is a plus. Interest in AI and how to
leverage it as a delivery tool. Strong project management
operations skillset, including effective meeting management and
capturing actionable next steps. Ability to prioritize tasks,
navigate challenges, and build operational rigor. The base salary
range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated
below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors,
including location, business needs, level of responsibility,
experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits
package $75,000-$180,000 USD We believe the best work happens when
were together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection.
Thats why weve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office
an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or
flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the
interview process. WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and
considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or
regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture
of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same
opportunities to progress in their careers.
Keywords: VML, Cicero , Senior Program Manager, IT / Software / Systems , Schiller Park, Illinois
