Project Manager

Community of Practice: Project Management

Reports To: Senior Project Manager

Locations: Ohio is the preferred hiring location.

Remote candidates may also be considered in Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas, provided they meet role qualifications and business needs.

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.

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

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 are seeking a dynamic and results-driven Project Manager to join our innovative marketing agency. As a Project Manager, you will play a pivotal role in orchestrating and guiding projects from inception to successful execution. You'll collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, leveraging your exceptional organizational, communication and problem-solving skills to deliver exceptional outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with account service and team leads to define project scope, requirements, deliverables and success measures.
• Develop and manage project plans, timelines, budgets, dependencies and documentation.
• Coordinate team assignments and support resource planning based on project needs and team capacity.
• Lead projects from initiation through launch, keeping 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.
• Manage changes in scope, priorities, timing and resource needs.
• Communicate project status, decisions and concerns clearly to internal teams, clients and other stakeholders.
• Support project profitability through accurate budget tracking, resource planning and scope management.
• Build productive working relationships across large, cross-functional account teams.
• Help teams stay focused and solution-oriented when projects become difficult or priorities change.
• 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

• Four to six years of project management experience, including experience independently managing projects from initiation through completion.
• Experience managing project scope, timelines, budgets, dependencies and changing priorities.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams and keeping people aligned around responsibilities, deadlines and decisions.
• 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.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to provide clear direction, surface concerns and adapt communication for different audiences.
• Ability to ask thoughtful questions, seek context and continue learning when approaching unfamiliar work.
• Experience identifying project risks and working with others to develop practical mitigation plans.
• Working knowledge of project management practices and tools.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for budget tracking, reporting and basic data analysis.
• Experience in marketing, advertising, creative services, media or another client-service environment, or transferable experience in a similarly fast-paced setting.
• 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 projects across multiple channels, such as digital, print, social, broadcast or experiential.
• Experience supporting resource planning, including team capacity, assignments and changing staffing needs.
• Experience working with large account teams or 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.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Long-Term Partnerships: Our clients stay with us for more than 12 years, a reflection of trust and collaboration.
• Award-Winning Work: Be part of campaigns recognized for creativity, strategy and results.
• Flexibility and Balance: Hybrid schedules and flexible hours support your life and your best work.
• Inclusive Culture: Our workplace values every perspective and creates space for all voices.
• Growth and Learning: Experience opportunities for professional and personal development through ongoing learning programs.

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.

Team Values

At Marcus Thomas, our values shape how we work with each other and with our clients.

• Community: We contribute to the growth of our agency, industry and communities.
• Accountability: We keep our commitments and take responsibility for our work and results.
• Collaboration: We lead with empathy, listen actively and make room for different perspectives.
• Curiosity: We ask thoughtful questions, seek context and remain open to new information and ideas.
• Diversity: We respect different identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives because they strengthen our teams and our work.
• Make Work Play: We bring creativity, energy and enjoyment to the work while respecting that people may express those qualities differently.

Our Hiring Process

Our hiring process is designed to help us learn about your experience and give you a clear understanding of the role, team and agency. The process typically includes an initial conversation with our recruiting team, a hiring manager interview, a team or leadership interview, and final selection.

We use AI-assisted tools to support organization and consistency during parts of the hiring process. An AI assistant may compare the experience and skills listed on a résumé with the qualifications in the job description and highlight relevant information for our recruiting team. Candidates may opt out of AI-assisted résumé screening when applying.

With candidate consent, we may also use AI-assisted tools to record and transcribe interviews. These transcripts help us maintain accurate interview records and review whether candidates received a consistent and respectful experience. Candidates may opt out of recording or transcription at any stage without affecting their consideration for the role.

AI tools don’t make hiring decisions. Members of our recruiting and hiring teams review candidate information and make every decision about who moves forward.

Marcus Thomas provides reasonable accommodations throughout the application and interview process. If you need an accommodation to participate, please contact [email address or contact method]. Requesting an accommodation won’t affect your consideration for the role.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

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

We encourage applications from people whose identities and experiences have been historically underrepresented in the advertising and marketing industry, including women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ people, people with disabilities, veterans and people from different cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Marcus Thomas provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, marital status, or any other status protected by applicable law.