What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Project Manager position at SimpsonScarborough?
At SimpsonScarborough, we spend our days building brands that endure, inspire, and elevate the all-important work of colleges and universities in shaping our future. Recognized as a leader in the higher education marketing industry, we are a fully remote team of approximately 70 employees working coast to coast.
We're looking for a Senior Project Manager to lead complex, cross-functional engagements with precision, accountability, and a sharp eye for both delivery and process. This role is central to how we do our best work for clients — managing project plans, budgets, timelines, and teams with the kind of ownership and rigor that keeps high-stakes initiatives on track and on budget.
The Senior Project Manager partners closely with clients, practice area leads, and internal teams to drive clarity at every stage of a project — from initial scoping through final delivery. If you're someone who thrives on structure, communicates proactively, and knows how to navigate complexity without losing the thread, we'd love to connect.
What You'll Do
- Lead end-to-end project management on complex, cross-functional engagements — developing project plans that include budgets, timelines, RACIs, and resource plans.
- Serve as a key client contact throughout the project lifecycle — providing updates, addressing concerns, and ensuring client satisfaction from kickoff to close.
- Manage internal project infrastructure: set up and maintain projects in the PM system, assign tasks, track progress, and ensure all timelines and resources are accurately reflected.
- Identify, communicate, and mitigate project risks — including financial risks — keeping projects on budget and escalating deviations appropriately.
- Lead internal project calls including phase kickoffs, status check-ins, and post-mortems.
- Partner with the sales team on project scoping, bringing expert insight to define requirements, timelines, and budgets accurately.
- Continuously look for opportunities to improve processes, increase efficiency, and drive innovation in how projects are delivered.
What We're Looking For
- At least 5 years of project management experience, including at least 1 year in a Senior PM role within a marketing agency environment.
- Proven track record managing large-scale, complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
- Hands-on experience with project planning, task management, budgeting, resourcing, and forecasting in an agency setting.
- Proficiency with project management software (Wrike, Asana, ClickUp, or comparable platforms).
- Strong data fluency — able to analyze and interpret project and financial data to inform decisions.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; confident leading meetings across teams and organizational levels, in person and remotely.
- Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to independently prioritize, problem-solve, and meet deadlines.
Salary, Benefits & Perks
- Salary starts at $80,000 and will be commensurate with experience
- Comprehensive benefits package including nationwide health, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance and short-term disability
- Flexible time off (FTO) with additional time-off options, including sick, volunteer & bereavement leave, paid parental leave, a day off on your birthday PLUS two agency-wide closures in the summer and winter
- Monthly lifestyle stipend to supplement your routine wellness costs like streaming subscriptions, gym, or phone/internet costs
Our Commitment to Inclusion
At SimpsonScarborough, we believe diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are central to our core values and critical to our long-term success. This work requires consistency, intentionality, vulnerability, and accountability. Through our efforts, we strive to make meaningful impact in our work, our workplace, and our industry.
SimpsonScarborough is an equal opportunity employer. We have a strict anti-harassment policy and a zero-tolerance non-discrimination policy. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds regardless of nationality, race, religion, gender identity, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Questions?
For all recruitment-related inquiries, please email PeopleAndCulture@simpsonscarborough.com.
Salary : $80,000