Summary
Overview
Work history
Skills
volunteer Mentor
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Sally McDonald

Great Dunmow

Summary

Experienced Head of Project Management and Integrated Project Director with a strong background in creative production and agency operations. Proven track record of leading and scaling high-performing project teams, implementing effective systems, and aligning delivery with business strategy. Skilled in streamlining workflows, improving cross-functional collaboration, and delivering complex, multi-disciplinary projects on time and on budget. Adept at mentoring teams, driving operational change, and balancing creative ambition with commercial objectives. Passionate about building strong team cultures and enabling end-to-end project excellence in fast-paced, creative environments.

Overview

13
13
years of professional experience

Work history

Head of Integrated Project Management

Sainsburys's Zest
London
05.2024 - Current
  • Grew and led a 16-person project team, including 4 Integrated Project Directors and 12 Project Managers, to meet expanding business needs.
  • Implemented Adobe Workfront to streamline workflows, increase visibility, and boost efficiency agency-wide.
  • Collaborated closely with the finance team to lead regular billing and forecasting meetings, ensuring accurate financial tracking and resource planning.
  • Defined clear performance goals and led structured performance reviews with the IPD's to support career development and accountability.
  • Designed and rolled out comprehensive training programs to enhance team capability and broaden understanding of agency-wide operations.
  • Acted as key liaison with senior leadership to ensure project delivery aligned with broader business strategies and objectives.
  • Mentored and supported project managers, resulting in improved delivery outcomes, stronger team cohesion, and increased staff retention.
  • Proactively identified and mitigated project risks, reducing delivery delays and maintaining project momentum.

Design Project Director / Studio Manager - Freelance

Specsavers Creative
London/Guernsey
07.2023 - 01.2024
  • Managed design projects across departments, ensuring alignment with client objectives.
  • Led weekly meetings to guide teams, monitor progress, and provide support.
  • Collaborated with Heads of Design and business leads to align creative vision with project goals.
  • Engaged directly with clients to refine briefs and maintain clarity throughout projects.
  • Coordinated with internal studios and external suppliers, delivering detailed briefs for smooth execution.
  • Oversaw project scoping, scheduling, resourcing, reviews, and production workflows.
  • Utilized Workfront and Smartsheet to plan projects, track progress, and optimize resources.

Integrated Project Director - Freelance

VML
London
10.2022 - 01.2023
  • Project director for Bayer and Danone accounts.
  • Scoped fees for each job and diligently monitored costs to ensure budget adherence.
  • Collaborated closely with Creative Directors and business leads.
  • Worked closely with account teams and creatives to facilitate seamless project execution.
  • Organised all project reviews to ensure timely feedback and alignment.
  • Maintained close liaison with global clients to address their needs and concerns effectively.
  • Produced animatics complete with voiceovers, music, and sound effects.
  • Produced various assets including out-of-home, print, press, digital, and social media.
  • Workbook for scoping work and Smartsheets for timeline management.

Integrated Project Director - FTC

Specsavers Creative
London/Guernsey
08.2021 - 10.2022
  • Project director for Newmedica, overseeing the production of new brand collateral.
  • Conducted financial planning for Newmedica, developing yearly budgets.
  • Scoped all project requirements and ensured appropriate resource allocation.
  • Produced various collateral, including leaflets, in-store point of sale materials, print, press, OOH, tool kits, radio ads, digital assets, and social media content.
  • Collaborated closely with photographers to organise and execute photo shoots at the Newmedica clinics.
  • Worked on new clinic openings helping to provide the imagery, logos, reception material and the interiors of the clinic.
  • Managed print production, working closely with the printers.
  • Maintained close communication and collaboration with clients and senior stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Utilised Workfront and Smartsheets

Integrated Project Director - FTC

VML
London
01.2021 - 08.2021
  • Managed the financial scopes of work for clients Danone and DFT, ensuring fiscal responsibility and profitability.
  • Oversaw the operational performance of the team for each client, ensuring efficient delivery of services.
  • Collaborated with Business Development and Finance Directors to forecast the scope of work for Danone for the upcoming year.
  • Implemented operational procedures with the account team and creatives to track timesheets and adhere to budgets for all projects.
  • Estimated project costs, maintained control of the financial tracker, and ensured adherence to budgets.
  • Maintained tight control over budgets and expenditures for each project to ensure profitability.
  • Promptly and efficiently addressed any issues or challenges that arose during project execution.
  • Managed each project from client brief to producer handover, collaborating closely with the producer throughout the process.

Integrated Project Director / Creative Producer - Freelance

Specsavers Creative
London/Guernsey
11.2019 - 05.2020
  • Led as Project Director for the major integrated global campaign Quality encompassing video, digital, social, print, in-store, point of sale, and radio.
  • Developed and upheld schedules and project plans to ensure the successful execution of the defined scope of work.
  • Scoped fees and production costs for the global campaign, meticulously assessing scope against timelines and ensuring appropriate resource allocation.
  • Maintained close collaboration with senior client leads throughout finance, timing, and production-related meetings.
  • Managed client and Managing Director expectations, proactively addressing potential issues and proposing alternative solutions as needed.
  • Fostered collaboration among strategy, creative directors, digital teams, designers, legal professionals, and clients, fostering a cohesive team dynamic.
  • Orchestrated and supervised photographic shoots, adhering to global requirements.
  • Coordinated closely with artwork studios, illustrators, external CGI suppliers, digital teams, and transcreation services to ensure delivery of multiple language assets globally.

Senior Project Director / Creative Producer - Freelance

Mullen Lowe London
London
09.2017 - 07.2019
  • Lead Project Director and Producer for Unilever Knorr global campaigns, overseeing end-to-end delivery across TV, radio, digital, social, and print.
  • Managed annual scopes, budgets, timelines, and creative resources.
    Collaborated with senior clients and internal teams to ensure smooth production and timely delivery.
  • Handled supplier negotiations and coordinated global asset distribution.
  • Oversaw all financials, including post-project analysis for ongoing optimisation.

Project Director and Senior Creative Producer

JWT, adam&eve, BBH, Wieden & Kennedy, The Martin Agency
London
01.2013 - 03.2017
  • Freelance Project Director and Senior Creative Producer, delivering integrated campaigns for leading agencies across clients such as Honda, Barclays, Vespa, Tesco's, Maybelline, Aviva, and Orange.

Skills

  • Project management
  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Problem solving
  • Budget & financial management
  • Resource management
  • Time management
  • Stakeholder management
  • Art buying
  • Print buying
  • Sustainability
  • Producing - video, print, OOH, radio, social, digital, exhibitions, POS, DM
  • Proficient project management tools
  • Microsoft office
  • Project management workflow systems - eg Workfront, Workbook

volunteer Mentor

Who'sYourMommaLondon, Proud Mentor Momma, I volunteer as a mentor to women in advertising, design and marketing, with the mission to help them achieve their career goals and unlock their full potential.

Affiliations

  • Row for Cambridge City in a woman's 8

Timeline

Head of Integrated Project Management

Sainsburys's Zest
05.2024 - Current

Design Project Director / Studio Manager - Freelance

Specsavers Creative
07.2023 - 01.2024

Integrated Project Director - Freelance

VML
10.2022 - 01.2023

Integrated Project Director - FTC

Specsavers Creative
08.2021 - 10.2022

Integrated Project Director - FTC

VML
01.2021 - 08.2021

Integrated Project Director / Creative Producer - Freelance

Specsavers Creative
11.2019 - 05.2020

Senior Project Director / Creative Producer - Freelance

Mullen Lowe London
09.2017 - 07.2019

Project Director and Senior Creative Producer

JWT, adam&eve, BBH, Wieden & Kennedy, The Martin Agency
01.2013 - 03.2017

Similar Profiles

Create profile
Sally McDonald