Community of Practice: Project Management

Reports To: Senior Project Manager

Position Level: Associate to Mid Level

Locations: Cleveland or Cincinnati, OH (hybrid) or remote in an approved state

Approved states: Ohio, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas

Who Is Marcus Thomas?

Marcus Thomas is one of the country’s leading independent advertising and marketing agencies. From our offices in Cleveland and Cincinnati, Ohio; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Santiago, Chile, we bring together thinkers, makers and storytellers who help brands grow by creating meaningful connections with people.

We offer a full range of services: creative, media, digital, PR, social, search and CRM, all working together to build ideas that make an impact. Our integrated approach has earned national recognition for work that blends strategy, creativity and technology to move businesses forward.

Location and Work Arrangement

Local candidates are preferred for this role.

• Cleveland: Employees in the Cleveland area work from the Cleveland office each Wednesday and one additional day per week based on team needs.
• Cincinnati: Employees in the Cincinnati area work from the Cincinnati office each Wednesday and one additional day per week based on team needs.
• Remote: Employees elsewhere in Ohio or in an approved state may work remotely.

Candidates must have an established primary residence in an approved state before an offer can be issued. We can’t issue an offer based on a planned future move without a valid address.

Employment Eligibility

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Marcus Thomas is unable to provide employment visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future.

About the Role

We’re looking for a Project Manager to help lead integrated marketing and creative work across our agency. You’ll manage client projects and campaigns from kickoff through delivery, partnering closely with Account Management and teams across creative, production, media, social and other disciplines.

This role combines hands-on project management with day-to-day resource coordination. You’ll own timelines, budgets, scope, dependencies and project communication while helping teams understand capacity, assignments and competing priorities. You’ll also work directly with clients alongside account partners, helping translate needs into clear plans and keeping work moving when priorities, timing or scope change.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Planning & Delivery

• Partner with Account Management, clients and discipline leads to define project scope, requirements, deliverables and success measures for integrated marketing work.
• Develop and manage project plans, timelines, budgets, dependencies and documentation.
• Lead client projects and integrated marketing campaigns from kickoff through launch, keeping cross-functional teams informed and aligned at each stage.
• Clarify responsibilities, next steps and deadlines for project team members.
• Track progress, identify risks and work with stakeholders to resolve issues before they affect delivery.

Resource & Team Coordination

• Coordinate assignments across creative, production, media and other agency teams, supporting resource planning based on project needs, deadlines and team capacity.
• Build productive working relationships across large, cross-functional account teams.
• Help teams stay focused and solution-oriented when projects become difficult or priorities change.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Manage changes in client direction, scope, priorities, timing and resource needs, working with account and discipline partners to determine the best path forward.
• Communicate project status, timing, decisions, risks and concerns directly with internal teams and clients, partnering with Account Management to keep expectations aligned.

Financial & Process Management

• Support project profitability through accurate budget tracking, resource planning and scope management.
• Identify opportunities to improve project workflows, documentation and agency processes.

What Success Looks Like

Within 3 Months

• Develop a working understanding of the agency, its clients, teams and project management processes.
• Build productive relationships with key internal partners.
• Learn the agency’s approach to resource planning, including team capacity and project assignments.
• Consistently execute assigned work with appropriate support and communicate progress, needs and concerns clearly.

Within 6 Months

• Independently manage assigned projects from planning through completion.
• Manage project scope, timelines and budgets with limited oversight.
• Take ownership of day-to-day resource coordination for assigned work.
• Keep teams aligned and respond effectively when project needs or priorities change.

Within 12 Months

• Lead more complex projects with confidence and sound judgment.
• Identify and support improvements to project management and resource planning processes.
• Share knowledge and provide guidance to colleagues when appropriate.
• Connect project decisions to client needs, agency priorities and business outcomes.

Required Qualifications

Project Management Experience

• Four to six years of project management experience, including experience independently managing client-facing projects or campaigns from initiation through completion.
• Experience managing project scope, timelines, budgets, dependencies and changing priorities.
• Experience identifying project risks and working with others to develop practical mitigation plans.
• Working knowledge of project management practices and tools.

Marketing, Client & Cross-Functional Experience

• Experience managing projects in marketing, advertising, creative services, media or another client-service environment involving marketing or creative deliverables. Experience within an advertising or integrated marketing agency is helpful, but not required.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams across disciplines such as Account Management, creative, production, media, social or other marketing functions, and keeping people aligned around responsibilities, deadlines and decisions.
• Strong communication and client-facing skills, including the ability to provide clear direction, communicate project status, surface concerns, manage expectations and adapt communication for different audiences.

Working Style & Problem Solving

• Ability to work effectively when information is incomplete, priorities are shifting or the path forward isn’t fully defined.
• A steady, constructive approach when projects become difficult, with the ability to help teams stay focused and work toward solutions.
• Ability to ask thoughtful questions, seek context and continue learning when approaching unfamiliar work.

Tools & Education

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for budget tracking, reporting and basic data analysis.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent practical experience.

Preferred Qualifications (Nice to Have)

These qualifications may help someone ramp up more quickly, but they aren’t required for consideration.

• Experience managing integrated marketing campaigns or creative deliverables across multiple channels, such as digital, print, social, broadcast or experiential.
• Experience supporting resource planning across cross-functional teams, including team capacity, assignments and changing staffing needs.
• Experience working with large, cross-functional client or account teams and multiple stakeholder groups.
• Familiarity with Workfront, Hive or a comparable project or resource management platform.
• PMI, PMP or another relevant project management certification.
• Experience improving workflows, documentation or agency processes.

Benefits Highlights

• Time Off: A flexible time-off policy, with most employees taking approximately four to six weeks annually.
• Family Support: Twelve weeks of fully paid parental leave.
• Health and Wellness: Medical, dental and vision coverage, plus telemedicine, behavioral health resources.
• Lifestyle Support: Wellness and creative stipends, phone plan support and partner discounts.
• Financial Benefits: A 401(k) with company contributions, student loan repayment support and college savings options.

Our Hiring Process

Our hiring process helps us learn about your experience while giving you a clear understanding of the role, team and agency. It typically includes an initial recruiter conversation, a hiring manager interview, a team or leadership interview, and final selection.

We may use AI-assisted tools to help organize and review application materials. These tools may compare résumé information with job qualifications and highlight relevant experience for our recruiting team. Candidates may opt out of AI-assisted résumé screening when applying.

With candidate consent, we may use AI-assisted tools to record and transcribe interviews. Candidates may opt out of recording or transcription at any stage without affecting their consideration.

AI tools don’t make hiring decisions. Our recruiting and hiring teams review candidate information and decide who moves forward.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Marcus Thomas, different perspectives strengthen our teams and our work. We’re committed to fair access to opportunity and an environment where employees can contribute, develop and succeed.

We encourage applications from people with a wide range of identities, experiences and backgrounds, including those historically underrepresented in advertising and marketing.

Marcus Thomas provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees. Employment decisions are made without regard to any status protected by applicable law.