Program Director

Job Description:

About the Role
We are looking for a Program Director to lead strategic marketing initiatives and oversee complex program portfolios for our top-tier clients. This role combines leadership, operational excellence, and client partnership to deliver impactful results across diverse markets. Do you have the ability to deliver exceptional results in fast-paced, complex agency environments serving both domestic and international markets? If so, this may be the role for you!


This is a remote/hybrid role. Employees within 90 minutes of our NY, MI, CA or IL offices may expect 3 days a week onsite.

What You’ll Do

• Lead a portfolio of enterprise-level marketing programs for Fortune 500 clients.
• Define program vision, objectives, and success criteria in collaboration with client and agency leadership.
• Develop integrated roadmaps across digital transformation, customer experience, analytics, and technology.
• Ensure alignment with client business strategies and measurable outcomes.
• Facilitate governance and decision-making with senior stakeholders.
• Oversee program execution, quality, timelines, and budgets.
• Drive continuous improvement and operational efficiency.
• Manage program budgets and resource allocation.
• Foster collaboration across creative, strategy, data, technology, and CRM teams.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Communications, or related field.
• 12–15 years of progressive program/project management experience in marketing, advertising, consulting, or digital agencies.
• 4–6 years of people leadership experience.
• Proven success managing complex programs valued at $5M–$15M+.
• Experience with enterprise-level clients and multi-year strategic initiatives.
• Strong understanding of U.S. and international market dynamics.
• Expertise in program management methodologies (Waterfall, Agile, Scrum).
• Proficiency with tools like Monday.com, Workfront, Asana, Jira, or Smartsheet.

Preferred Qualifications

• Agile/Scrum certifications (CSM, SAFe, etc.).
• Experience in leading marketing agencies or consulting firms.
• Background in digital transformation or management consulting.

What We Value

• Inclusive leadership and collaboration.
• Strong communication and influencing skills.
• Ability to navigate complexity and ambiguity.
• Commitment to continuous learning and innovation.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to work on transformative programs with global impact.
• Collaborative and diverse team environment.
• Professional growth and development support.

The annual salary range for this position is $136,000 - $206,000. Placement within the salary range is based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and other factors permitted by law.

Benefits available with this position include:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance,
• Life insurance,
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance,
• 401k,
• Flexible paid time off,
• At least 15 paid holidays per year,
• Paid sick and safe leave, and
• Paid parental leave.

Dentsu also complies with applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, in accordance with its plans and policies. For further details regarding Dentsu benefits, please visit

At dentsu, we believe great work happens when we’re connected. Our way of working combines flexibility with in-person collaboration to spark ideas and strengthen our teams. Employees who live within a commutable distance of one of our hub offices, currently located in Chicago, metro Detroit, Los Angeles, and New York City, are required and expected to work from the office three days per week (two days per week for employees based in Los Angeles). Dentsu may designate other Hub offices at any time. Those who live outside a commutable range may be designated as remote, depending on the role and business needs. Regardless of your work location, we expect our employees to be flexible to meet the needs of our Company and clients, which may include attendance in an office.

Location:

New York

Brand:

Merkle

Time Type:

Full time

Contract Type:

Permanent

Dentsu is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. We do this without regard to race, color, national origin, sex , sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, political affiliation, religious practices and observances, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Dentsu is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to, among others, individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to search and apply for a career opportunity with us, please send an e-mail to

[email protected]

by clicking on the link to let us know the nature of your accommodation request and your contact information. We are here to support you.