Program Lead

The Shipyard is a leading, independent agency that builds performance-driven brands audiences can’t help but love.

By applying modern mindsets to established models, we fuel brand and marketing decisions that are more courageous and more validated.

Our ability to align bold creativity with individual consumer motivations lets us do more than hope for brand love – we methodically engineer it throughout the consumer journey. That’s how we activate the synergistic power of brand building and performance marketing.

Engineering Brand Love through the courageous ambitions of our people and our clients.

The agency has significant momentum and is on a roll with new business. Our team continues to expand across four cities (Columbus, Newport Beach, Sacramento, and San Diego) and we’re still growing. Come join our team!

SUMMARY

We are looking for a smart, experienced, and motivated Program Lead to join our San Diego, CA team. 

The Program Management Department loves collaborating with partners, inspiring creative solutions, driving progress, evolving process, and seeks the feeling of getting things accomplished – in the most strategic way possible. As Program Lead you are a central role in delivering world-class work, connectors across the business, inspiring and guiding teams towards shared goals. This role establishes significant trust and support internally and sometimes externally and will ensure that we build a future of success for the Agency and our clients. This also means serving as a leader through inspired internal connection that is on time, on budget, while embracing new ways of problem-solving.

This is a hybrid work from home/office position (in-office attendance is required on Tuesdays & Thursdays) and the candidate must live near San Diego, CA.

At The Shipyard, we know that it's your unique talents, backgrounds, and perspectives that make you who you are, just like our team, who come from various career paths and experiences. We believe we can't be truly diverse without bringing your most authentic self to the agency.  

Studies show that people from marginalized communities may not always apply for positions if they don't meet every single requirement in a job posting. At The Shipyard, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the requirements. We believe that your passion for what we stand for — our values and purpose — is just as important as meeting every checkbox. 

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Client Services Partnership: Managing Against On Time & On Budget Parameters (80%)

• Lead as primary point of contact for the Agency’s larger clients on all program related elements, including inquiry and issue resolution.
• Successfully manage multiple, complex programs of work with multiple stakeholders and teams in a fast-paced environment simultaneously.
• Define “how” and “when” and empower teams to deliver against shared expectations and goals.
• Responsible for encouraging a strong two-way communication channel between leadership, ensuring leadership is aware of direction, challenges, and required decisions or guidance.
• Collaborative planning through orchestrating and managing workflows ensuring project plans reflect the collective expertise of the team.
• Manage and oversee program budgets, including forecasting, tracking expenses, and optimizing resource allocation.
• Be a strong presenter of process, project health (budget, timelines, resources) and plans.
• Develop and articulate solution-oriented approaches to all logistical roadblocks, leveraging experience, tools, and methodology.
• Excel at managing expectations, and clearly articulate alternative solutions when challenges arise.
• Action-oriented nature in proactive and strategic approaches.
• Development, execution, and maintenance of Estimate Workbooks.
• Develop project estimates, timelines, and resources based on deep familiarity of program management and the trajectory of client partnership.
• Demonstrate collaborative team leadership in workflow through facilitating effective communication cross-operationally, coaching, mentoring, and motivating peers and teammates.
• Foster a mindset where everyone feels a personal stake in project success.
• Keen and active understanding of internal dynamics and desire to understand client dynamics.

Leadership: Agency & Department Expectations (20%)

• Develop and maintain an environment in which innovation and creativity thrive.
• Proactively identifying, assessing, and acting on workflow optimization recommendations.
• Understand and balance the perspectives, motivations, personalities, and needs of others.
• Lead by example, demonstrate a willingness to give and receive feedback, connecting with others on approaches and solves.
• Identify, execute, communicate, and influence process enhancement solutions Agency-wide.
• Awareness of what is happening within and across the Agency, industry, and community, and solving challenges through the strategic lens of business needs and state of the business.
• Stay updated on industry best and next practices and contribute to the professional development of the Department.
• Exhibit collaborative team leadership by actively engaging with Department leaders across the organization to identify synergies, optimize workflows, foster connections, and drive the ongoing integration of Program Management.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

4+ years of experience as a Program Lead or similar role.

Execution Management (15%)

• Take initiative, make independent decisions, and proactively prioritize responsibilities (time management).
• Understand the difference between being effective vs being efficient.
• Be comfortable in the gray – we are not box checkers.

Financial Management (20%)

• Comprehend the financial components and how they impact the overall margin.
• Balance when to escalate vs when to mitigate.
• Ask questions or request training as this continues to evolve.

Relationship Management (20%)

• Manage sideways, manage down, manage up.

Leadership (15%)

• Understand business overview & analysis; trends & themes vs band-aid solutions.
• Pair observation and opinion with action and initiative.
• Lead and influence the team with attitude and overall effect on culture.

Direct Report Management (10%)

• Keep a pulse on projects, client work, and overall morale and the performance tied to these.
• Have a lens of accuracy, creativity, and partnership.
• View your success as a reflection of your direct reports’ success.
• Teach vs do.

Emotional Intelligence (20%)

• Have context and situational awareness & understand different personalities.
• Pick and choose which challenges to take on – high conflict vs healthy conflict.
• Actively listen & engage.

WHAT YOU’LL GET

• The overall target range of base compensation for this role is $90,000 - $110,000. Compensation offered will be determined by additional factors such as location and experience.
• Open PTO
• 40 hours of paid sick time (annually)
• Flexible work hours and remote work
• Paid holidays + holiday closure between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day
• Company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance and disability benefits
• 401k program with employer matching
• 6 weeks paid parental leave
• Employee bonus referrals
• Dog-friendly offices
• Company-provided snacks and beverages (yes, beer/wine included)
• … and lots more!

Requirements

• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for visa sponsorship.