Associate Director, Project Management

Agency: Carmichael Lynch Job Function: Projects and Performance Improvement Job Subfunction: Project and Program Management Job Description:

The Associate Director, Project Management is responsible for leading a team of client-specific project managers, ensuring work moves through the agency and remains on task, on time, and in scope from concept through completion. This role serves as the hub of communication and partners closely with the Director of Project Management as well as with every department within Carmichael Lynch. As a strategic operational leader, you will bring a commitment to understanding the nuances of our Subaru (the Twin Cities’ largest automotive account) business pillars and Carmichael Lynch's integrated workflows. You'll bring your full self and talents to the agency and will be a contributing factor to the agency's success and to the success of your team. Expectations:  Prioritize deep learning of client business models, market dynamics, and organizational structures across all client pillars before implementing operational changes or process modifications. Invest in comprehensive understanding of Carmichael Lynch workflows, systems, and cross-departmental dependencies to ensure seamless integration and strategic alignment. Serve as a working manager leading and owning multiple projects and workstreams across integrated channels under each of the client pillars, with demonstrated expertise in both modalities. Flex between senior strategic leadership and hands-on execution as required by job, team, and client needs, leveraging operational acumen to drive efficiency and effectiveness. Manage operations and resourcing for eight fulltime project managers, applying best practices in capacity planning and workflow optimization. Mentor and train mid- and junior-level teams from all departments on process, best practices, and essentials for client success, with particular emphasis on understanding business context before implementing change. Lead client-specific project management team status meetings and one-on-ones, ensuring teams are staffed appropriately with workloads matching client requirements and individual skillsets. Operationalize and translate how the way we work corresponds with the financial health of the account and team derived from deep business understanding (forecasting, run rates, operation metrics, individual performance, etc).  Thought leader in AI and lean in to how to leverage AI for operational process efficiencies.  Areas of Focus and Traits: This is not a one-size-fits-all position, so adaptability and flexibility are key. Being able to keep a lot of plates spinning simultaneously is essential to success in this role, and our ideal candidate knows that how work gets done is just as important — or more — as getting the work done. You possess a solid set of skills, yet you have the capacity to learn and grow. You love the energy that a fast-paced, creative environment provides. Strategic Learning and Business Acumen. You approach each client and initiative with intellectual curiosity and a genuine commitment to understanding the full scope of the business before making operational recommendations. You recognize that sustainable improvements are built on deep knowledge of the client's industry, competitive landscape, and internal priorities. You ask thoughtful questions, listen actively to stakeholders, and invest time in understanding the "why" before the "what." You're strategic in your thinking and operate from a place of informed decision-making. Operational Excellence. You bring substantial operational and leadership experience with a proven track record of improving workflows, optimizing resource allocation, and driving process efficiencies that make an impact on the work, agency and clients. You have a strong operational mindset paired with executive presence and the ability to influence at senior levels. You understand metrics that matter, know how to manage