A Day in the Life of a Project Manager | Indeed

Summary

In this video, Gillian, a project manager at RPM, an advertising agency, takes viewers through her day managing the full project lifecycle for Broadway clients. She discusses her work-from-home policy, the use of monday.com for project management, and her interactions with various teams. Gillian highlights the fast-paced nature of her role, the importance of organization, and the thrill of seeing her work in Times Square. She also mentors a new project manager and shares tips for those interested in the field.

Takeaways

• 👩‍💼 A project manager oversees the entire project lifecycle, from initiation to completion.
• 🏢 The speaker works for RPM, an agency focused on Broadway advertising clients.
• 💻 The office has a hybrid work-from-home policy, allowing flexibility in where employees work.
• 📅 The day typically starts with opening key applications like email, calendar, and project management software.
• 🛠️ The preferred project management tool is monday.com, which is customizable and user-friendly for collaboration.
• 🔥 Unexpected urgent tasks ('fire drills') often arise, requiring quick attention and turnaround.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Project managers collaborate with multiple teams, including finance, creative, and account teams, to ensure smooth project flow.
• 🚌 Current projects include managing billboard and bus advertisements for the Hamilton tour across North America.
• 👩‍🏫 Experienced project managers help onboard new team members, like Abby, teaching them essential tools and systems.
• 🏙️ A key part of the job involves seeing the real-world output of their work, such as billboards in Times Square and theater posters.

Q & A

What is the role of a project manager at RPM?

A project manager at RPM oversees the full project lifecycle, from initiation to completion. They work across various teams and ensure projects move smoothly through the agency, particularly focusing on Broadway clients in the advertising space.

What project management software does Gillian's team use, and why does she like it?

Gillian's team uses monday.com. She likes it because it’s web-based, color-coordinated, and highly customizable, which makes it easy to route tasks between teams like designers, art directors, and copywriters.

How does the hybrid work policy at RPM affect Gillian's daily routine?

The hybrid work policy allows Gillian to work from home or go into the office when needed. She appreciates the flexibility, opting to work from home when she doesn't need to collaborate in person, but she goes into the office for important tasks requiring others' presence.

What is the first thing Gillian does when she starts her workday?

Gillian begins her day by opening all her applications, including email, calendar, and project management software. She reviews anything that came in overnight and sets her priorities for the day.

What is a 'fire drill' in Gillian's job, and how does it impact her day?

A 'fire drill' refers to an urgent task that must be completed within a short time, typically to satisfy a client's last-minute request. These unexpected events can disrupt her planned schedule and shift priorities.

What are some key responsibilities that Gillian handles as a project manager?

Gillian is responsible for routing projects through the agency, ensuring tasks align with client briefs, and collaborating across teams like finance, creative, and account management. She also coordinates with designers and ensures consistency across different formats, like bus ads and billboards.

Why does Gillian enjoy working as a project manager?

Gillian enjoys her role because she interacts with many different teams and types of people, and she has the opportunity to work on a variety of creative projects. She also finds it rewarding to see the results of her work, such as billboards, in public spaces.

What challenge did Gillian face with the Hamilton tour project?

Gillian had to manage two different designers working on the same Hamilton tour creative, ensuring that both the bus sides and billboards had a consistent look and design before sending them to the client.

How does Gillian onboard new project managers like Abby?

Gillian helps onboard new project managers by walking them through the tools and systems used at RPM, such as the email system for Telecharge houses. She provides hands-on training, helping them understand how to manage campaigns like triggered emails and one-off communications for Broadway shows.

What advice does Gillian give to those interested in becoming project managers?

Gillian advises aspiring project managers to develop organizational skills, be good communicators, and build stamina to handle the fast-paced and sometimes unpredictable nature of the role.