Project Development Manager

Position Overview The Project Development Manager serves as a key link between clients, internal teams, and external partners, helping bring creative ideas to life through thoughtful planning, clear communication, and effective execution. This role combines digital project management, event planning, reporting, data management, and hands-on operational support to keep projects moving and deliver a strong client experience. As part of a creative agency, this person must be comfortable navigating ambiguity, adapting to evolving priorities, and developing practical solutions when the path forward is not fully defined. The ideal candidate is proactive, organized, collaborative, and confident working directly with clients in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Employment Type This is a project-based employment opportunity with the potential to transition to a full-time position in Q2 2027 (April–June), based on business needs and performance. A full-time transition is not guaranteed. Work Environment This role is primarily remote, with on-site work in Dearborn, Michigan, as needed. During the initial onboarding period, the Project Development Manager will work in the office at least three days per week to build relationships with colleagues across departments. An in-office presence will be required during periods when projects or client meetings call for closer collaboration, mentorship, and hands-on execution. Responsibilities Develop and manage detailed project plans for digital initiatives, events, and client programs, tracking timelines, milestones, dependencies, and deliverables. Coordinate digital project workflows across internal teams, clients, and external partners, ensuring requirements, feedback, approvals, and updates are clearly communicated. Develop event concepts and activation strategies, coordinate planning and logistics, and support execution from initial concept through completion. Work alongside on-site staff to support day-to-day event operations, address emerging needs, and help ensure a seamless experience for clients, teams, and attendees. Interface confidently and professionally with clients, serving as a primary point of contact as needed and providing timely updates throughout the project lifecycle. Prepare and maintain project status reports, progress summaries, and post-project or post-event recaps that communicate results, challenges, and recommended next steps. Organize, update, and maintain project data, databases, documentation, and tracking tools to support accuracy, accessibility, and informed decision-making. Create clear, compelling PowerPoint presentations and draft, edit, and refine client communications, briefs, and other project materials. Partner with internal departments and external vendors to align on requirements, responsibilities, timelines, and changes. Assess client and stakeholder needs, anticipate challenges, and recommend practical solutions as priorities and project requirements evolve. Take an active role in internal and client meetings, capturing decisions, clarifying next steps, and driving follow-through. Build and maintain strong client and partner relationships that support client retention and long-term account success. Travel to event sites and perform other project-related duties as needed. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience. 3–5+ years of experience in project management, account management, event management, or client services. Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and deliverables simultaneously. Comfort and confidence interfacing directly with clients, leading discussions, communicating updates, and responding professionally to feedback. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate ideas and information into clear, compelling presentations. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong client relationships and collaborate effectively across teams. Comfort working in a creative agency environment where priorities may shift, requirements may evolve, and solutions are not always clearly defined. A flexible, resourceful approach to problem-solving, with sound judgment and the initiative to ask thoughtful questions and move work forward amid ambiguity. Experience supporting digital projects, reporting, data management, and event planning or operations. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint and Excel, and presentation tools such as Google Slides. Agency experience preferred; experience in experiential marketing or the automotive industry is a plus. Ability to meet the in-office requirements in Dearborn, Michigan, and travel to events as needed.