About this role
The Senior Project Manager, Marketing Program Management is responsible for leading the planning, coordination, and execution of high-priority marketing initiatives across the organization. Reporting to the Director of Program Management, this role serves as a critical partner to Marketing leadership and cross-functional teams, ensuring programs are strategically aligned, operationally sound, and delivered with excellence.
This individual will manage complex, cross-functional marketing projects spanning campaign execution, technology implementations, process improvements, product or promotional launches, customer lifecycle initiatives, and enterprise-wide marketing priorities. The ideal candidate is highly organized, proactive, and skilled at balancing strategic oversight with day-to-day execution, while driving accountability across stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
Project & Program Leadership
• Lead end-to-end execution of complex marketing projects and programs, from intake and planning through launch, adoption, and post-implementation review.
• Translate business goals into actionable project plans, timelines, milestones, dependencies, and resource requirements.
• Manage multiple concurrent initiatives with competing priorities while maintaining quality, speed, and alignment to business objectives.
• Ensure project scope, risks, assumptions, and decisions are clearly documented and proactively managed throughout the lifecycle.
Cross-Functional Coordination
• Partner closely with Marketing leaders and cross-functional stakeholders, including Creative, Media, CRM, Analytics, Operations, Product, IT, Legal, and external vendors, to drive execution.
• Facilitate project meetings, status reviews, working sessions, and decision forums to maintain momentum and remove roadblocks.
• Build strong relationships across departments to improve collaboration, clarify ownership, and ensure timely delivery of key initiatives.
Planning, Governance & Process Management
• Support the Director of Program Management in establishing and maintaining project governance standards, workflows, and delivery discipline across the Marketing organization.
• Drive project intake, prioritization, timeline development, and workback scheduling for major marketing initiatives.
• Monitor project progress against deadlines, deliverables, budget inputs, and strategic objectives, escalating issues as needed.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve team efficiency, and strengthen project delivery capabilities across the department.
Risk, Change & Issue Management
• Anticipate project risks, dependencies, and constraints, and develop mitigation plans to minimize impact to deliverables and timelines.
• Manage changes to scope, timeline, or stakeholder expectations with clear communication and documented alignment.
• Escalate critical risks and decisions to the Director of Program Management and senior stakeholders with recommendations for resolution.
Communication & Reporting
• Provide clear, concise, and actionable status reporting to project teams, department leadership, and executive stakeholders.
• Prepare project updates, dashboards, and summaries that communicate progress, risks, business impact, and next steps.
• Ensure alignment across teams through timely communication, transparent documentation, and proactive follow-up.
Execution Excellence
• Drive accountability for deliverables across matrixed teams without direct authority.
• Maintain a high standard of organization, detail, and follow-through to ensure seamless execution.
• Support a culture of operational rigor, continuous improvement, and results-driven project management within Marketing.
Qualifications
Required
• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, Project Management, or related field.
• 5–8+ years of project management, program management, or marketing operations experience, preferably within a complex, fast-paced marketing environment.
• Proven experience leading large-scale, cross-functional projects with multiple stakeholders and dependencies.
• Strong understanding of marketing workflows, campaign development processes, and integrated go-to-market execution.
• Excellent organizational, communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage ambiguity, solve problems, and drive execution in matrixed environments.
• Proficiency in project management tools such as Asana, Workfront, Monday.com, Jira, Smartsheet, or similar platforms.
• Strong presentation and reporting skills, including the ability to distill complex information into executive-ready updates.
Preferred
• Experience in a corporate marketing, retail, consumer, or multi-channel business environment.
• PMP, CAPM, Agile, Scrum, or other project/program management certification.
• Experience supporting marketing technology, customer journey, campaign, or operational transformation initiatives.
• Familiarity with budgeting, resource planning, and change management principles.
Core Competencies
• Project and program leadership
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Strategic planning and prioritization
• Risk and issue management
• Process improvement
• Executive communication
• Organizational agility
• Attention to detail and follow-through
• Influence without authority
• Results orientation
Success Measures / Key Performance Indicators
• On-time and on-budget delivery of assigned marketing initiatives
• Achievement of project milestones and launch readiness
• Stakeholder satisfaction and cross-functional alignment
• Reduction in project bottlenecks, delays, and execution issues
• Improved visibility, governance, and accountability across projects
• Adoption of standardized processes and project management best practices
• Demonstrated contribution to marketing efficiency, speed to market, and business outcomes
Exciting Benefits and Perks Await You:
• Competitive compensation and 401k matching
• Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with insurance plans (health, dental, vision) and maternity benefits.
• Associate purchase and discount programs for new and pre-owned vehicles, services, parts, collision, accessories, and AutoGear
• Access amazing deals and discounts through YouDecide, a website with offers from top providers and retailers
• Join our DRVPNK mission to raise and donate millions of dollars to cancer research and treatment, partnering with cancer charities nationwide
AutoNation is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offering innovative products, exceptional services, and comprehensive solutions, empowering our customers to make the best decisions for their needs. With a network of dealerships nationwide strengthened by a recognized brand, we offer a wide variety of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and provide expert maintenance and repair services. Through DRV PNK, we have raised over $40 million for cancer-related causes, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of our Associates, Customers, and the communities we serve. AutoNation is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment in our workplace and the services we provide. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds who are passionate about making a positive impact. Even if you do not meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. Join our team and help us foster a culture of belonging while contributing to our revolutionary work in the automotive industry. We value innovation, teamwork, and a commitment to making a positive impact in the world.