A Day in the Life of a Project Manager | Indeed

Indeed
12 Jul 202208:31
EducationalLearning
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TLDRIn this insightful day-in-the-life video, Gillian, a project manager at RPM, an advertising agency specializing in Broadway clients, walks us through her dynamic role. From kicking off projects to seeing them through, she leverages monday.com for streamlined collaboration. Balancing work-from-home flexibility with in-office collaboration, Gillian thrives in a fast-paced environment, ensuring client satisfaction and project consistency. Her passion for project management is evident as she navigates creative coordination and mentors new team members, all while enjoying the fruits of her labor on Times Square's billboards.

Takeaways
  • πŸ˜€ Gillian is a project manager who oversees the entire project lifecycle, from initiation to completion.
  • 🏒 She works at RPM, an agency specializing in Broadway clients in the advertising industry.
  • πŸ‘©β€πŸ’» Gillian collaborates with various teams across the agency to ensure projects are completed successfully.
  • πŸ‘– The office has a hybrid work policy, allowing Gillian to work from home in comfort when necessary.
  • 🌐 She uses monday.com, a web-based project management tool, to organize and coordinate project tasks and files.
  • πŸ” Gillian's day often involves unexpected 'fire drills' where she must quickly address urgent client needs.
  • πŸ—“οΈ Mornings are spent on Zoom calls and desk work, prioritizing tasks with different account teams.
  • 🎨 As a project manager, she reviews and routes work from designers to ensure it aligns with project briefs.
  • πŸŒ† Her job involves a mix of office and remote work, with a focus on project coordination and communication.
  • 🎭 Gillian enjoys the creative aspect of her role and the satisfaction of seeing her work in public spaces like Times Square.
  • πŸ“ˆ She helps onboard new project managers, sharing her expertise and the tools she uses for email systems and project tracking.
Q & A
  • What is the primary role of a project manager in the context of the script?

    -A project manager is responsible for overseeing the entire project lifecycle, from initiation to completion, and acts as the central point of contact for various teams within the agency.

  • What agency does Gillian work for, and what type of clients does it focus on?

    -Gillian works for an agency called RPM, which is focused on Broadway clients in the advertising space.

  • How does the agency's work from home policy and hybrid model benefit Gillian?

    -The work from home policy and hybrid model allow Gillian flexibility to work remotely in her sweatpants when necessary, and to go into the office when she needs to collaborate with colleagues who are present.

  • What is the first thing Gillian does when she sits down at her desk?

    -Gillian opens all her applications, including email, calendar, and project management software, to check for any updates or tasks that require her attention overnight.

  • What project management software does Gillian mention using, and what are its advantages?

    -Gillian uses monday.com, a web-based tool that is color-coordinated and customizable to fit the company's needs, making it easy for team members to upload files and communicate effectively.

  • What is a 'fire drill' in the context of Gillian's work?

    -A 'fire drill' refers to an unexpected urgent situation that requires immediate attention and action, often involving briefing and delivering work within a very tight deadline to satisfy client needs.

  • What is the significance of the Hamilton project in Gillian's day?

    -The Hamilton project is one of the priorities Gillian is working on, which involves coordinating with her account executive, Ashley, to ensure the project's progress aligns with client expectations and internal agency processes.

  • How does Gillian create a separation between work and personal life while working from home in New York?

    -Gillian has a designated workspace in her living area, allowing her to change scenery by moving to her couch when needed, thus separating her work environment from her living space.

  • What is the role of project management in coordinating different teams within the company?

    -Project management serves as the main line of communication across various teams, including finance, account, and creative teams, ensuring all relevant parties are informed and engaged throughout the project lifecycle.

  • What is Gillian's educational background, and how did it prepare her for her role as a project manager?

    -Gillian's undergraduate degree did not specifically prepare her for project management, but it provided valuable skills in organization and staying on top of tasks, which have proven helpful in her role.

  • How does Gillian's experience working on the Hamilton tour project demonstrate her day-to-day responsibilities?

    -Gillian's work on the Hamilton tour project involves routing different projects, ensuring consistency between creative materials, and coordinating with various teams to meet client expectations and deadlines.

  • What advice does Gillian give to those interested in becoming a project manager?

    -Gillian recommends finding skills and tools for effective organization and communication, as well as building up stamina to handle the fast-paced nature of project management and being able to adapt quickly to changing situations.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ˜€ A Day in the Life of a Project Manager

Gillian, a project manager at RPM, an advertising agency specializing in Broadway clients, introduces her role in overseeing the full project lifecycle. She discusses the hybrid work policy allowing her to work from home or the office, depending on the need for in-person collaboration. Her day starts with checking emails, calendar, and project management software, monday.com, which she praises for its customization and ease of use. Gillian emphasizes the unpredictability of her job, often dealing with urgent tasks that require quick action to satisfy clients. She also highlights the importance of her role in coordinating across various teams within the agency.

05:02
🎨 Balancing Creative Projects and Onboarding New Team Members

The script continues with Gillian's day, focusing on her work with creative projects, like billboards and bus sides for the Hamilton tour, and the challenge of ensuring consistency between different designers' work. She also mentors Abby, a new project manager, teaching her about the email system used for Telecharge houses, which sends automated and one-off emails to ticket buyers. Gillian wraps up her day by checking proofs, updating project statuses in monday.com, and ensuring all communications on Slack have been addressed. She concludes by visiting the Phantom of the Opera theater to confirm the installation of new creative materials, reflecting on the typical pace and demands of her job, and offering advice for aspiring project managers to develop organizational skills and resilience.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Project Manager
A project manager is an individual responsible for the planning, execution, and closing of a project. They oversee the project's entire lifecycle, from initiation to completion. In the video, Gillian, the project manager, is the central figure who ensures that all aspects of a project are coordinated and completed successfully. The role is crucial in the advertising space, as seen in the script where Gillian is the last person to see a project through.
πŸ’‘Full Project Lifecycle
The full project lifecycle refers to the complete sequence of stages a project goes through from its start to its finish. This includes initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, controlling, and closing. In the context of the video, Gillian's role as a project manager involves managing all these stages, ensuring that projects are successfully initiated and brought to completion.
πŸ’‘RPM (Agency)
RPM is the name of the agency where Gillian works. It is an organization focused on Broadway clients within the advertising industry. The agency's focus on Broadway clients indicates that the projects managed by Gillian and her team are likely related to theatrical productions and their associated advertising campaigns.
πŸ’‘Hybrid Work Policy
A hybrid work policy allows employees to split their work time between the office and remote work. In the video, Gillian's company has implemented such a policy, giving her the flexibility to work from home in her sweatpants or go into the office when necessary. This policy reflects a modern approach to work-life balance and the increasing trend of remote work in the professional world.
πŸ’‘Project Management Software
Project management software is a tool used to plan, organize, and manage projects from conception to completion. In the script, Gillian mentions using monday.com, a web-based tool that helps her and her team track project progress, assign tasks, and collaborate effectively. The software is essential for managing the complex workflows and multiple stakeholders involved in advertising projects.
πŸ’‘Zoom Calls
Zoom calls are virtual meetings conducted using the Zoom platform, which has become popular for remote work and collaboration. In the video, Gillian's morning is spent on Zoom calls, indicating that virtual communication is a significant part of her day-to-day activities as a project manager, especially when coordinating with different teams and clients.
πŸ’‘Account Executive
An account executive is a professional responsible for managing client relationships and ensuring client satisfaction. In the script, Gillian mentions a meeting with Ashley, her account executive, to discuss priorities for the Hamilton project. This role is crucial for understanding client needs and communicating them within the project management process.
πŸ’‘Creative Teams
Creative teams in an advertising agency are responsible for the conceptualization and production of advertising content. In the video, Gillian works across different creative teams, such as designers, art directors, copywriters, and proofreaders, to ensure that the project's creative output aligns with the client's brief and the project's goals.
πŸ’‘Hamilton
Hamilton is a reference to the Broadway musical that Gillian and her team are working on. It is used in the script to illustrate a specific project that Gillian is managing. The mention of Hamilton shows the type of high-profile clients that Gillian's agency, RPM, works with and the importance of project management in the advertising of such productions.
πŸ’‘Onboarding
Onboarding is the process of integrating a new employee into an organization and its culture. In the video, Gillian helps onboard new project managers, like Abby, by training them on the systems and processes used in the company. This is an essential part of her role as a seasoned project manager, ensuring the continuity and efficiency of project management within the agency.
πŸ’‘Fire Drill
A fire drill in a project management context refers to an unexpected, urgent situation that requires immediate attention. Gillian mentions that her day can be disrupted by a 'fire drill,' where something needs to be addressed and resolved quickly to keep the client satisfied. This term illustrates the unpredictable nature of project management and the need for adaptability.
Highlights

Introduction to the role of a project manager with a focus on the full project lifecycle.

Working at RPM, an agency focused on Broadway clients in the advertising space.

The flexibility of working from home or in the office as part of a hybrid work policy.

Daily routine includes checking emails, calendar, and project management software for overnight updates.

Utilization of monday.com as a project management tool for its customization and ease of use.

Managing unexpected 'fire drills' that require quick action to satisfy client needs.

Coordination with various teams including designers, art directors, copywriters, and proofreaders.

The importance of being organized and having good communication skills in project management.

Experience of working with creative types and the satisfaction of seeing work displayed in Times Square.

Onboarding new project managers and sharing knowledge about email systems used for campaigns.

Managing multiple projects and ensuring consistency across creative materials for different mediums.

The role of a project manager in helping to launch new projects and overseeing their progress.

End-of-day routine includes checking email, updating project statuses, and ensuring all messages are read.

Visiting the Majestic Theater to confirm the installation of new creative materials.

Advice for aspiring project managers on building stamina and being adaptable to a fast-paced environment.

Closing remarks and invitation to like, subscribe, and follow Indeed's channel for more content.

Transcripts
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