FWD People is a full-service strategic marketing agency delivering meaningful and measurable results in the health and non-profit sectors. We take pride in being our clients' trusted strategic partner — staying ahead of the curve, and leveraging our expertise and foresight to help them navigate change and seize opportunities. We approach every challenge with a commitment to innovation, excellence, and empathy and we seek the same qualities in our leaders. As a fast-growing, senior team, we're excited to welcome more forward-thinking individuals who will help us drive growth, foster positive change within our client's industries, and have fun along the way.
As an Associate Project Director, you will be the operational backbone for complex, multi-workstream engagements. You bring structure, foresight, and calm leadership to fast-moving programs. You ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget, and at the highest level of quality. You partner closely with Account, Strategy, and Creative leaders to translate vision into execution while mentoring junior program and project managers.
At FWD, you'll thrive here if you're detail-oriented, collaborative, solutions-focused, and energized by helping teams do their best work.
What You'll Do
Own day-to-day program management across one or more complex client engagements.
Lead integrated timelines, scopes, resourcing plans, and budgets across multiple workstreams.
Identify risks early and proactively propose solutions to keep programs on track.
Partner closely with Account and Creative leadership to ensure alignment between strategy, scope, and execution.
Oversee and mentor Project Managers, supporting their growth and execution quality.
Drive operational rigor across planning, status reporting, and internal communication.
Support client communication around timelines, deliverables, and expectations.
Help refine program management best practices and workflows across the agency.
What You'll Bring
7–10+ years of experience in program or project management within a creative or marketing agency.
Proven experience managing complex, multi-disciplinary programs.
Strong organizational and communication skills.
Comfort navigating ambiguity and shifting priorities.
Experience mentoring or managing junior PMs.
Calm, thoughtful leadership style with high attention to detail.
Healthcare, nonprofit, or regulated industry experience a strong plus.
Proficiency with project management tools and platforms (e.g., Asana, Monday.com, Smartsheet, or similar).
Ability to balance multiple priorities while maintaining quality standards.
Nice-to-Haves
PMP, Agile, or similar project management certification.
Experience in healthcare, pharmaceutical, or biotech sectors.
Familiarity with MLR review processes and regulated marketing workflows.
Background managing brand launches or omnichannel campaigns.
Experience with budget development and financial tracking.
Who You Are
An operational leader who brings structure and clarity to complex programs.
A proactive problem-solver who anticipates challenges and mobilizes teams to act.
A trusted partner who builds strong relationships across account, creative, and strategy teams.
A thoughtful mentor who elevates the capabilities of junior team members.
Working at FWD People
We are a senior team that champions integrity, adaptability, excellence, and growth. Here, you'll collaborate with solution-focused colleagues to advance both our clients and our teams.
Our office is located in Brooklyn Heights, and we offer a flexible hybrid work schedule. We value in-person collaboration and connection but also understand the importance of offering the flexibility to work from home.
We are dedicated to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. As an equal-opportunity employer, we welcome differences in race, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, and more. We believe that diversity drives innovation and success, and we are committed to ensuring equal opportunities and fostering a culture of respect and collaboration.
Interviewing at FWD People
We believe in transparency and respect for your time. Our hiring process is designed to be open, fair, and as straightforward as possible, giving you a clear picture of what to expect while also giving us a chance to get to know you. Here's how it works:
Initial Conversation: A friendly chat to learn about your background, goals, and what excites you about this opportunity (and in general).
In-Depth Interview: A deeper discussion about your skills, experiences, and how you envision contributing to our team.
Scenario Conversation: A collaborative discussion where we'll walk through a few real-world scenarios together. This is an opportunity to show us how you think through challenges, make decisions, and approach problem-solving.
Final Interview: An onsite conversation with some additional folks on our team and leadership to explore how your unique talents align with our mission and values.
We know that interviewing can sometimes feel overwhelming, which is why we're committed to keeping the process clear and communicative every step of the way. We're excited to learn more about you and appreciate you taking the time to get to know us!
Benefits & Comp
At FWD, we believe in supporting our team both personally and professionally. We offer excellent benefits, including 25 days off per year +16 paid holidays, matching 401(k), medical, dental & vision, paid maternity & paternity leave, home office setup, yearly team retreats, and a comprehensive professional development program including executive coaching and a yearly professional development stipend. As we continue to grow, we enhance our benefits package to meet the needs of our team.
This role is based in NYC (Brooklyn) with a flexible hybrid work schedule.