Sr. Associate Project Manager - Buffalo, United States - Mattel, Inc.

Description

POSITION TITLE: Sr. Associate Project Manager

DEPARTMENT: Integrated Marketing Communications - Marketing Ops

REPORTS TO: TBD

LOCATION: East Aurora, NY, U.S.A.

NOTE: This is a hybrid position that will require on-set presence 2+ times per week in our East Aurora campus per the individual needs of each project. We are specifically requiring someone who lives in the Buffalo/Niagara area and/or 716 area code. Please do not apply if you are not located in that area. Please note this is a contract position with full-time hours.

THE OPPORTUNITY:

The Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) - Marketing Operations Division is looking for a Senior Associate Project Manager with a passion and focus on operational structure, procedures and team collaboration. This position will produce and support design projects, interfacing with cross-functional teams to ensure on-time/on-budget delivery on all projects. Ideal candidate should have a project management or producer-type experience at an in-house creative team or creative agency model.

CORE COMPENTENCIES:

· Timeline & resource management ​

· Campaign and asset tracking ​

· Operational KPI tracking and reporting (project duration, throughput, burn-rate, asset utilization) via Adobe Workfront​or similar management tool (Monday, Jira, smartsheet).

· Scheduling / workflow organization ​

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Independently lead day-to-day project management from inception to completion for small-to-mid-level projects (such as, but not limited to): guides, brand identity, 360 campaigns, retail/eComm assets, live events, trade shows, demand creation videos (DCVs), sizzle videos and pitch materials.

· Manage intake and project setup of all briefs in Adobe Workfront​ or similar management tool.

o Maintain project status dashboards and reports with real-time communication to the team as well as contributing to status meetings or daily stand-ups for assigned projects.

· Coordinate with Creative Team to ensure deliverables are all met from brief

o Interface and maintain relationships with key cross-functional partners as well as outside design/production resources to complete all project deliverables.

· Develop and maintain timelines for all projects, in support of Account Management ​to deliver on-time

o Communicate with entire project team to develop project plan and schedule in order to ensure on time delivery within a fluctuating workload and ever-changing business environment

· Tracks resource allocation for all projects and inform resourcing plans & scope​

· Partner with Account Management, Production and Operations Center of Excellence (COE) to open and track budget line-items and tasks at project initiation​

o Maintain budgets based on available funds, obtain estimates with internal and external sources using various finance/accounting software to track project expenditures, open purchase orders, identify if scope or budget changes are needed, assist with monthly billing processes, and reconcile jobs upon completion.

· Lead all submissions of creative development work through Legal/Standards & Practices in support of Account Management​

· Monitor and document global approvals in Workfront or similar management tool, in support of Account Management​

o Liaison with client groups, internal creatives and external vendors to facilitate timely and successful completion of creative

· Partner with Channel/Asset Management teams on trafficking of final assets

• Upload final files to Digital Asset Management (DAM) system for global distribution and archiving.
• Fulfill and respond to asset requests submitted to department on a daily basis.
• Gather information from requestors on what assets are being used for, timing, and preferred file format and method of delivery
• Thorough understanding of all file/asset delivery methods and which method is most appropriate based on request/requestor

· Document and tracks asset utilization, globally

· Assist with prioritization and drive focus for the IMC team.

o Flexibility and agility to shift priorities quickly to meet the needs of the business

· Assist in identifying project workflow improvements and drive efficiencies.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR:

· 5+ years of relevant experience in creative/marketing/communications; and/or B.A./B.S. Marketing, Business, Communications or related field (or equivalent). PMP certification a plus, but not required.

· Demonstrated Project Management experience working on creative and production projects at in-house and/or agency environment.

· Experience with a variety of media including print production, broadcast, e-comm, social media, consumer good and/or retail.

· Excellent computer skills: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat/Signature are required; familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud programs (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) and Sketch a plus.

· Experience with cloud-based work management software (Adobe Workfront, Asana, Trello, Monday, Wrike, smartsheet etc.).

· Project management knowledge and theory (Agile, Kanban, SCRUM).

· Familiarity with Digital Asset Management (DAM) software and metadata, file taxonomy, nomenclature.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING TO THE TEAM:

· Excellent organizational and time management skills

· Ability to juggle and prioritize multiple tasks and projects

· Problem solver and ability to act with urgency

· Ability to navigate within a complex corporate structure (lots of stakeholders within a meeting-heavy culture)

· Collaborative team leader and player

· Initiative and sound critical judgment in extremely fast-paced environment

· Excellent written and oral communication skills (written and verbal); must have strong executive presence to effectively liaison with Senior/Executive management

· Strong attention to detail and follow-through

· Positive attitude and willingness to learn

· Proactive, self-starter with the ability to work independently or as part of a team

· Strict attention to detail with strong follow-up skills