Project Manager & Creative Operations, Stores

About this role

Marketing brings our brand to life through deep expertise and an authentic love for pets. The team is dedicated to delivering personalized experiences for our consumers, supported by best-in-class, data-driven marketing capabilities. The work spans key areas including Loyalty, Customer Analytics & Research, Brand Experience & Creative, and Omni-Channel Marketing. Each team member brings a unique perspective, working together to create meaningful and engaging experiences for both pets and pet parents.

Collaborative Work Environment:At PetSmart, teamwork and connection are core to how we thrive. This role is based at our Phoenix Home Office, with an expectation of working a minimum of four days in the office each week. In a standard work week, associates may work up to one remote "flex day" (with leader approval). Our hybrid approach is designed to foster strong collaboration while also supporting flexibility and individual success.

We're a nimble, high-energy Creative Team

Highly organized and deadline-driven, you manage budgets, resources, and schedules across complex campaigns. You know how to turn briefs into action, ask the right questions, and keep work on track - even in ambiguity.

You're well-versed in project management tools, fluent in creative process, and equipped with a versatile skill set that supports everything from digital to print. You understand Adobe Creative Suite, navigate MS Office on Mac, and have helped build scalable systems that set creative teams up for success.

Oh - and you love pets. Like, really love pets. You bring that same passion to the work because you know that when PetSmart wins, our furry friends do too.

Sr Manager Creative Operations and Project Management, Stores

Responsibilities

• Manage documentation, resources, scheduling, and project scoping.
• Request and approve production for marketing elements as needed.
• Work creatively and analytically in a critical thinking, strategic, problem-solving environment demonstrating teamwork, innovation and excellence.
• Identify potential roadblocks, mitigate risks on projects, develop contingency planning, and proactively engage in problem-solving.
• Provide status reporting regarding project milestones, deliverables, timelines, resources, risks and issues.
• Set and continually manage project and program expectations of internal and external partners.
• Provide relevant and succinct information in presentations, reviews and meetings.
• Build strong working relationships and promote clear, collaborative communication across creative, marketing, and partner teams.
• Facilitate prototyping, sampling and testing based on project needs.
• Always know what is happening under your realm of responsibility and have a general grasp of the bigger picture on the team.
• Passionately champion the creative processes and operations of the team, balancing creative quality with efficient execution.ß
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, tools, and workflows by researching best practices and evaluating emerging technologies.
• Be interested in scrappy ways of solving problems and in new technologies that can vault the team forward faster.
• Use your AI experience to spot opportunities, test tools, and help the team adopt what works.
• Support vendor partnerships through regular communication, clear expectations, and established points of connection.

Required Skills and Experience

• 6+ years project management experience on an in-house creative team or creative agency account/project management role. We're looking for the right experience and fit, not the right number of years.
• Knowledge of cross-functional creative processes and marketing practices in retail.
• Knowledge of the print production and procurement process.
• Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite programs, MAC proficient and skilled using MS Office applications.
• Experience working in a project management software tool, such as Workfront.
• Experience managing the delivery of simple to large, complex, cross-functional creative projects.
• Strong understanding of the creative development and replenishment process.
• Experience managing or working within cross-functional marketing and creative teams.
• Experience managing vendor partnerships through regularly cadenced communication and set connection points.
• Effective relationship builder to establish credibility and form partnerships with internal and external partners.
• Excellent organization and time management skills with the ability to set priorities.
• Excellent communications skills (written and verbal) with the ability to create presentations with little advance notice.
• Unbelievably organized, energetic and quick on your feet.
• Experience managing processes, resources and schedules with proven problem-solving and resourcefulness.
• Proactive and decisive. Able to quickly adapt to change and competing demands through strong critical thinking and strategic problem solving.
• A bachelor's degree in advertising, marketing, operations, or a related field is preferred but not required; equivalent professional experience is also valued.

You bring passion, energy, and precision to everything you do. As a Senior Creative Project Manager, you thrive in fast-paced environments, think critically, and always find a solution forward. With deep knowledge of creative workflows, you break down barriers and lead with clarity - even when the path is ambiguous.

You're a proactive problem-solver and confident communicator who keeps the team informed and moving. You juggle multiple projects with ease, anticipate challenges, and tackle them head-on without needing to be asked.You're a collaborative team player and creative ops enthusiast who drives results through influence, strategic planning, and process innovation. You manage timelines, expectations, and change with calm authority, always keeping quality and business needs front and center.You adapt quickly, welcome feedback with a growth mindset, and consistently deliver with professionalism and poise. Whether working cross-functionally or stepping in for leadership, you bring strategic insight and thoughtful decision-making to every interaction.

\* This is not intended to be an all-inclusive, exhaustive list of all essential job functions for this position. PetSmart retains the right to change or assign other required job duties to this position.

• This role requires collaboration, teamwork, and face-to-face interaction with colleagues, leaders, and/or clients.
• Being in the office ensures access to leaders, cross-functional partners, and resources necessary to make timely decisions and drive results.
• On-site presence in accordance with our FlexSmart policy supports our culture of innovation, mentorship, and engagement, which is integral to our success in developing the best team.
• Pet-friendly environment, bring your pets to work and enjoy the on-site dog park!
• On-Site Events & Adoptions, enjoy community-building opportunities, including pet adoption days, seasonal celebrations, family events, art events, & holiday festivals
• "Top Dog" gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists, personal trainers, and wellness spaces
• "Sit & Stay" Café serving fresh breakfast and lunch options, snacks, & more
• "Lil Paws" NAEYC-accredited onsite childcare facility providing high-quality early education
• Paid Volunteer Opportunities to spend time doing good for causes close to heart
• Print Center and Business Services, Dry Cleaning, Mother's Rooms, Sustainable Infrastructure & more