Project Manager, Data & AI

Building a Brand Starts with a Story

 FIRST is a leading global brand experience agency providing Content, Creative, Digital Technology, Management & Delivery, and Data & Insights services. For 30 years, we have utilized three flexible delivery models: Embedded teams, Corporate Campus operations, and a Full-Service Agency.

Managing over 37,000 events & projects annually across 110 countries, FIRST serves 130+ brands, specializing in Fortune 500 companies within the Financial Services, Technology, Healthcare, Media, and Professional Services sectors. FIRST is part of the broader Encore family of companies. Encore is a global leader in event production and technology.

Consistently recognized for excellence, recent honors include 2026 Chief Marketer Agency of the Year, the Ad Net Zero Award for sustainability, and more.

Location: New York.  This is a hybrid role, must live in the NY tri state area and be able to go into office.

Learn more at www.firstagency.com

What You Would Get To Do

The Technical Project Manager is responsible for leading the end-to-end delivery of FIRST's data, analytics, and AI initiatives,, translating strategic priorities and business requirements into structured, executable project plans. This role partners closely with data engineers, analysts, data scientists, business stakeholders, technology teams, vendors, and other cross-functional partners to deliver data platforms, integrations, analytics solutions, dashboards, AI/ML use cases, and data-led products, from prototype through production launch.

The Technical Project Manager combines strong project management discipline with a working understanding of modern data and AI technologies and development practices, enabling them to effectively manage technical dependencies, facilitate delivery decisions, identify risks, and drive projects from discovery and requirements through development, testing, implementation, and adoption. The role will manage multiple concurrent initiatives, establish and operate the team's project intake and prioritization process, and help establish consistent delivery practices across the Data & AI team portfolio.

This position sits within the Data & Insights team and reports to the Director, Data & Analytics.

Your Contributions

• Lead end-to-end delivery of data analytics and AI initiatives, including data engineering, integrations, analytics, reporting, governance, AI/ML use cases and data products from prototype through validated, launched solutions.
• Own and continuously improve the team's project intake and prioritization process, ensuring incoming requests are scoped, triaged, and resourced against strategic priorities rather than handled ad hoc.
• Develop and manage project plans, timelines, milestones, resources, dependencies, risks, and budgets across multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Translate business and technical requirements into clear project scope, deliverables, workstreams, and actionable plans.
• Partner with data engineers, analysts, business analysts, Product, IT, and other stakeholders to coordinate technical delivery and resolve dependencies.
• Support new-business and existing-client opportunities involving data, analytics, or AI — partnering with Sales/Account teams on scoping, solution design, and pricing input for relevant RFPs and proactive business cases.
• Manage Agile delivery activities, including backlog prioritization, sprint planning, stand-ups, retrospectives, and release planning.
• Proactively identify and manage technical risks, issues, dependencies, and blockers, escalating and driving resolution as needed.
• Coordinate testing, data validation, implementation, release readiness, and post-launch activities to ensure successful delivery.
• Monitor project health and communicate progress, risks, decisions, and delivery forecasts to leadership and key stakeholders.
• Manage project scope and change control, assessing impacts to timelines, resources, dependencies, and outcomes.
• Ensure data governance, security, privacy, quality, and documentation requirements are incorporated into project delivery.
• Manage external vendors and implementation partners, as applicable, to ensure delivery against agreed scope and timelines.
• Track and report on delivery metrics tied to team goals, including reduction in ad hoc/BAU reporting work and adoption of launched AI/data solutions.
• Support continuous improvement of Data & Insights delivery processes, tools, and standards while fostering accountability and collaboration across teams.

 What We Are Looking For

• Bachelor's Degree preferred or equivalent practical / technical experience
• Position requires 5-8 years of experience.
• Strong understanding of data and analytics concepts, including data architecture, data modeling, data governance, data warehousing, and business intelligence.
• Working knowledge of modern data technologies, including databases, ELT/ETL pipelines, APIs, integrations, SQL, and visualization platforms such as Power BI or Tableau.
• Experience managing technical data and analytics projects through the full lifecycle, from requirements and design through testing, deployment, and adoption.
• Strong knowledge of Agile/Scrum methodologies and proficiency with project delivery tools such as Jira, Asana, or Smartsheet.
• Ability to understand technical architecture, dependencies, and risks and effectively facilitate discussions with engineers and technical specialists.
• Strong project management, analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate between technical and non-technical audiences.
• PMP, CSM, PMI-ACP, or similar certification preferred; experience with cloud data platforms, AI/ML, or data products is a plus.
• Strong communication skills and empathy for complex issues

At FIRST, we believe that our success is driven by the passion, creativity, and commitment of our teams. That's why we offer a range of benefits and perks to support your personal and professional growth

• Medical, Dental & Vision, which includes the option of a high deductible health plan (HDHP) with a health savings account (HSA)
• 401 (k) 
• Five Flexible Spending Accounts Options
• Generous Paid Time Off Allowance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Life, Disability & Pet Coverages
• Wellness Stipend
• Mobile Phone Allowance
• Complimentary access to Headspace, Teladoc, Maven, Rocket Lawyer, Mobilo & more
• Aura Identity Theft Protection
• Discretionary Bonus Structure
• Global Opportunities: With a presence in 7 countries worldwide, including headquarters in London, New York, and Singapore, you may have the opportunity to work on exciting projects across different locations.

United States Residents: The base pay for this position ranges from $117,106.00 – $134,672.00. This role is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.  

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