Senior Project Manager

At AKQA (part of WPP) we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful ideas, products and services. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive digital services and applications that capture the imagination, delivering impressive returns for our clients.

Our Delivery department sets the approach and standard for project management and governance, ensuring that clients receive the greatest possible value from their investment. Responsible for effective team performance, they provide team members with the right tools, support and training to empower their creativity, curiosity and craft.

Senior Project Managers at AKQA acutely understand the opportunities and constraints of a given project. They have full lifecycle experience from scoping through delivery, and can confidently navigate and prioritize business needs, resource management, schedules and financials, taking responsibility for setting and managing expectations from a wide array of stakeholders, internal and external, while consistently ensuring that the product and content delivered meet the set scope, time and budget requirements. 

As a Senior Project Manager, you will collaborate and lead a multi-disciplinary team to deliver stories through systems, products with purpose and communications that co-create a better future. You will employ a solutions focussed, entrepreneurial mindset to address changes, with excellent attention to detail and forward-thinking creativity you ensure that we exceed our clients expectations and deliver positive impact for brands, society and the planet.

Our Amsterdam studio offers teams the opportunity to produce innovative work that moves world-class companies, and their communities forward. All disciplines collaborate to find the best solution while delivering each aspect to the highest standard. You will work in an environment which fosters a meritocratic culture and encourages ownership, and you will be surrounded by some of the brightest minds in their fields. 

 

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Successfully deliver concurrent strategic, digital and comms projects with high quality deliverables, on-time and on-budget;
• Drive scoping sessions with discipline leads to align on resourcing, scheduling and costs for projects;
• Risk and dependency management skills, enabling effective communication of mitigation plans and escalation of issues where appropriate; 
• Ability to write thorough, considered statements of work that can act as a contract for your projects;
• Partnership with Client Service to manage client communications, including project status, timelines, and scope management, keeping stakeholders informed of project progress at all times;
• Familiarity with prioritization of complex products and programs;
• Leadership of day-to-day activities on complex workstreams on behalf of a highly-matrixed client organization;
• Coordinate with Strategy, Creative and Product departments to ensure a collaborative ‘One Team’ approach to solving problems;
• Engage and manage 3rd-party contractors and vendors that may be required for delivery of certain components of the project;
• Report on project health and performance, managing burn, OOP expenditure and revenue forecasting;
• Uphold internal processes and appropriate documentation related to project lifecycle;
• Set up and facilitate both internal and client post-project reviews, sharing learnings with relevant parties;
• Experience with B2B and B2C project management;
• Experience running Agile / Scrum projects;
• Knowledge of using Jira in the allocation, prioritization and management of design tickets;
• Balance specific client demands with project realities and reliably close the loop on all open issues in a timely manner;
• Tailor, adapt and implement an appropriate delivery process to that required by a client.

 

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

• Experience managing a multi-disciplined service delivery function in an agency environment implementing innovative, interactive and consumer focused solutions;
• Experience leading projects such: E-commerce website, mobile App, 360 campaign, activation, etc;
• Experience managing multiple projects at once, including planning, estimating, resource allocation and external partner management;
• Previous experience managing projects on both Kanban and Agile/Scrum methodologies including managing sprints, writing stories, leading the teams;
• Solution-focused, energetic mindset, acting as an innovation/creativity enabler to drive outstanding project outcomes;
• Autonomous and reliable, capable to meet deadlines and to help others organize their time and priorities;
• Systematic, methodical and pragmatic approach to the projects you run;
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to foster a work environment that encourages positive thinking and high commitment;
• Ability to effectively communicate and present to a wide range of stakeholders;
• Strong attention to detail;
• Ability to inspire and lead project teams to fulfill a vision

Explore our extensive range of benefits here