Program Director - Temporary Worker

Job Description: **TEMP ROLE       ** ASAP –   12 week   engagement ** Anticipated   40 hours   per week   ** Hourly,     Non -Exempt on Dentsu Payroll, W2       **Remote   or Hybrid depending on Location     ** Work in EST Time Zone with some flexibility   **Must be US Based        Company Description       Merkle, a  dentsu  company, powers the  experience  economy. For more than 35 years, the company has put people at the heart of its approach to digital business transformation. As the only integrated experience consultancy in the world with a heritage in data science and business performance, Merkle delivers holistic, end-to-end experiences that drive growth, engagement, and loyalty. Merkle's  expertise  has earned recognition as a "Leader" by top industry analyst firms, in categories such as digital transformation and commerce, experience design, engineering and technology integration, digital marketing, data science, CRM and loyalty, and customer data management. With more than  16,000 employees , Merkle operates in 30+ countries throughout the Americas, EMEA, and APAC.       Position Overview       We are seeking an experienced   Temporary   Program Director   to lead transformational marketing initiatives for our premier client portfolio while driving excellence across our program management practice. This senior leadership position requires a strategic and operationally sophisticated professional who can oversee one or more high-stakes programs, develop organizational capabilities, and serve as a trusted advisor to client executives. The ideal candidate brings deep marketing   expertise , proven team leadership, and the ability to deliver exceptional results in fast-paced, complex agency environments serving both domestic and international markets.     Travel may be required upon request. Key Responsibilities       Program Portfolio Leadership       Direct a portfolio of enterprise-level marketing programs for 1 or more Fortune 500 clients       Define program vision,   objectives , and success criteria in collaboration with client executives and agency leadership       Establish comprehensive program roadmaps that integrate multiple workstreams across digital transformation, customer experience, data analytics, and technology implementations       Ensure programs align with client business strategies and deliver measurable ROI and business impact       Lead program steering committees with senior client stakeholders,   facilitating   strategic decision-making and governance       Manage program interdependencies, risks, and resource conflicts across the portfolio       Delivery Excellence & Governance       Partner closely with Creative, Strategy, Data & Analytics, Technology, and CRM leadership to ensure integrated program delivery       Oversee end-to-end program execution ensuring deliverables meet quality standards, timelines, and budget parameters       Implement robust governance structures including escalation protocols, change management processes, and risk mitigation strategies       Monitor program health through comprehensive dashboards tracking scope, schedule, budget, quality, and client satisfaction metrics       Conduct regular program health assessments and implement corrective actions to address challenges       Ensure compliance with agency standards, client requirements, and regulatory obligations across all markets       Lead crisis management and issue resolution for high-impact program challenges       Facilitate post-program retrospectives capturing lessons learned and best practices       Financial & Resource Management       Manage program budgets ensuring profitability targets are achieved       Oversee resource planning and allocation across programs,   optimizing   utilization   and capability deployment       Identify   opportunities to improve operational efficiency and program profitability       Operational & Process Excellence       Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance delivery quality, team productivity, and client satisfaction       Establish and refine program management methodologies, tools, and templates aligned with industry best practices       Implement and   optimize   technology platforms supporting program planning, execution, and reporting       Create standardized frameworks for risk management, change control, and quality assurance       Required Qualifications       Education & Experience       Bachelor's degree in Marketing , Business Administration, Communications, or related field   required       12-15   years of progressive program/project management experience in marketing advertising, consulting, or digital agencies is   a   MUST       4-6 years of people management experience       Proven   track record   managing complex programs valued at $5M-$15M+ individually       Extensive experience with enterprise-level clients and multi-year strategic initiatives       Deep understanding of both US and international market dynamics and client expectations       History of delivering programs that drive significant business outcomes and client satisfaction       Leadership Competencies       Exceptional leadership presence and influencing skills, comfortable engaging with senior executives       Outstanding communication skills across written, verbal, and presentation formats       Experience leading through ambiguity and complexity in matrixed organizations       Demonstrated emotional intelligence and ability to navigate challenging stakeholder situations       Technical Expertise       Expert-level knowledge of program management methodologies including Waterfall, Agile, Scrum, and hybrid approaches       Advanced   proficiency   with program management platforms ( Monday.com, Workfront, Asana, Jira, Smartsheet, or similar)       Comprehensive knowledge of integrated mar