Senior Project Manager, Digital Investment Optimization
Kao EMEA & Americas · Utica-Rome Area
- On site
- Full-time
- $125,000 / year
- Utica-Rome Area
Email the hiring manager to get a response.
Get their verified email + an intro that's ready to send.
Subject: Interested in the Senior Project Manager, Digital Investment Optimization role at Kao EMEA & Americas
Hi Taylor — I came across the Senior Project Manager, Digital Investment Optimization opening and wanted to reach out directly. I've spent the last few years doing exactly this kind of work, and Kao EMEA & Americas stood out because…
✎ Personalized to your résumé after sign-up.
- ✓ Verified email of the hiring manager
- ✓ Intro email personalized to your résumé
- ✓ $9/mo = unlimited — any job link
Secure checkout · cancel anytime
Job highlights
- Lead digital investment optimization for AEMEA region.
- Manage agency and partner performance and governance.
- Drive regional standards for measurement and effectiveness.
- Engage senior stakeholders for funding and decisions.
- Collaborate with Accenture on strategic initiatives.
About the role
Senior Project Manager, Digital Investment Optimization
Kao is recognized as one of the world’s most ethical companies, a distinction held for 19 consecutive years. Our diverse brand portfolio spans three key sectors: Consumer Care (John Frieda, Bondi Sands, Bioré, Jergens, Curél), Professional Hair (Goldwell, Oribe, KMS Hair, Kerasilk), and Molton Brown. Our guiding principle, the Kao Way, emphasizes integrity, courageous innovation, and mutual trust and respect.
About the Role
Reporting to the Head of Strategic Partnerships & Investment Optimization, AEMEA, this role is pivotal in leading the AEMEA performance and investment effectiveness mini squad. You will set the regional standard for 'plan, do, check, act' execution, manage agency and partner performance, and oversee investment governance. Your focus will be on capability building and achieving measurable business impact at scale, in close collaboration with Accenture and senior AEMEA stakeholders, with a clear emphasis on return on investment.
At Kao, we provide comprehensive benefits starting on your first day, including healthcare, 401(k) with company match, and generous paid time off (37 days total). The competitive salary range for this position is $110,000 - $125,000. We support a hybrid work environment.
What You Will Do
- Lead partnership with Accenture, focusing on joint delivery plans, capability programs, tools, and impact reporting.
- Drive the strategy, roadmap, and operating model for the performance and return on investment mini squad across AEMEA.
- Establish regional standards for measurement, learning agendas, experimentation, and benefits realization, ensuring adoption and quality.
- Own regional agency performance governance, including evaluation frameworks, scorecards, improvement plans, and escalation paths.
- Manage investment governance through decision forums, prioritization principles, and business case quality, ensuring transparency and accountability.
- Engage with senior stakeholders to communicate progress, risks, and impact, influencing funding and decisions with clear rationale.
What You Will Need
- University-level education.
- Advanced training in measurement, media effectiveness, experimentation, or finance for marketers is preferred.
- Minimum 10 years of experience in digital transformation, digital marketing, e-commerce, analytics, or consulting.
- Over 5 years of experience leading regional programs, capability building, or performance governance.
- Strong experience influencing senior stakeholders and aligning markets to shared standards.
- Demonstrated strong business, financial, and analytical thinking, with expertise in data, measurement, and optimization to drive effective digital investment decisions and business outcomes.
- Strong leadership capabilities, including the ability to raise standards, coach and develop others, foster accountability, and build high-performing teams and partnerships based on trust.
- Excellent stakeholder management, influencing, and executive communication skills, capable of conveying complex topics clearly and persuasively across various audiences, including teams in Japan.
- Proven experience managing agency and partner relationships with a focus on governance, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Ability to navigate ambiguity and complexity, with strong prioritization, program management, and structured execution skills in dynamic regional environments.
- A curious, open-minded, and proactive approach to challenging existing ways of working through evidence-based thinking and innovative solutions.
At Kao, we believe that diversity strengthens our global mission. We foster a culture of trust, respect, and collaboration within a friendly and inclusive environment to achieve outstanding results.
What You Can Expect From Us
- An entrepreneurial environment with passionate and innovative teams.
- A culture centered on respect, teamwork, and collaboration.
- A workplace that prioritizes employee wellbeing.
- A comprehensive benefits package, including flexible working, competitive salaries, health and wellbeing programs, retirement, and insurance options.
- Opportunities for learning and development.
Your voice is valued here – we encourage entrepreneurial thinking and innovation.
Explore careers at Kao and discover our purpose, Kirei – Making Life Beautiful, by visiting: https://www.kao.com/americas/en/careers/ and https://kao.voyse.io/
Kao is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to diversity and inclusion for all individuals, including disabled and veterans.
Key skills/competency
- Senior Project Manager
- Digital Marketing
- Investment Optimization
- Performance Management
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Agency Management
- Digital Transformation
- Analytics
- Program Management
- Financial Acumen
Skills & topics
- Senior Project Manager
- Digital Marketing
- Investment Optimization
- Performance Management
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Agency Management
- Digital Transformation
- Analytics
- Program Management
- Financial Acumen
- Media Effectiveness
- Experimentation
- Consulting
- Leadership
- AEMEA
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight 10+ years in digital marketing, transformation, or consulting, emphasizing regional program leadership and stakeholder influence for Kao.
- Showcase analytical skills: Detail experience in measurement, experimentation, financial acumen, and driving business outcomes through data-driven optimization.
- Demonstrate leadership: Provide examples of building high-performing teams, coaching others, and managing complex agency/partner relationships for Kao.
- Prepare for behavioral questions: Be ready to discuss how you navigate ambiguity, challenge existing processes, and collaborate with global teams, aligning with Kao's values.
- Research Kao's culture: Understand their commitment to ethical practices and the 'Kao Way' to articulate your fit during the interview process.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the typical career progression for a Senior Project Manager at Kao?
- While specific paths vary, a Senior Project Manager at Kao can potentially advance into roles such as Head of Strategic Partnerships, Director of Investment Optimization, or lead larger cross-functional initiatives. Success in this role, demonstrating strong leadership and impact on digital investment, is key to future growth opportunities within Kao's AEMEA or global structure.
- How does Kao approach hybrid work for this Senior Project Manager role?
- Kao offers a hybrid work environment for this position. This typically means a balance between working from the office and remotely, allowing for flexibility while ensuring collaboration. Specific team arrangements are usually discussed during the interview process.
- What are the key performance indicators for the Senior Project Manager, Digital Investment Optimization at Kao?
- Key performance indicators will likely revolve around improving return on investment for digital marketing spend, successful implementation of regional standards, effective agency/partner performance, measurable business impact, and successful stakeholder alignment. The role emphasizes driving tangible business outcomes.
- Does Kao offer opportunities for professional development for this role?
- Yes, Kao emphasizes learning and development. For this Senior Project Manager role, expect opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like digital transformation, advanced analytics, and strategic partnership management, supported by the company's commitment to employee growth.
- How important is experience with specific digital marketing platforms for this role?
- While deep experience with specific platforms isn't the primary focus, a strong understanding of digital marketing channels, measurement frameworks, and how to optimize investment across them is crucial. Expertise in analytics, experimentation, and financial acumen for marketers is highly valued.
- What is the relationship between the Senior Project Manager and the Accenture partnership?
- The Senior Project Manager plays a lead role in managing the partnership with Accenture. This involves collaborating on joint delivery plans, capability programs, leveraging tools, and ensuring measurable impact reporting, making Accenture a key strategic ally for driving digital investment effectiveness.
- How does Kao foster an inclusive and respectful work environment?
Similar roles
Open positions we recommend based on this role.