Senior Project Manager

At AKQA, we blend 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 and deliver impressive returns for our clients.

The Delivery team is at the epicentre of all projects, ensuring they’re delivered to the highest quality, on time, and that clients receive the most excellent possible value from their investment.

The team’s key focus is building collaborative relationships and effective communication with project teams and clients. AKQA’s process and governance standards are industry-leading, providing the tools, training, and team support to make this possible.

Working with globally recognised and highly respected brands, the Senior Project Manager is responsible for the entire life cycle of a number of client projects from inception through to delivery. With the support of the Operations Director and Client Service Leads, the role is responsible for translating a brief into a detailed scope document, planning and budgeting projects accurately, and managing the project and team effectively.

Johannesburg or Remote in South Africa -based while frequently collaborating with our global studios, you will enjoy working in a team of highly skilled people, all with strong opinions about various technologies, frameworks, and approaches to media. You will articulate your ideas to your colleagues effectively while also taking on board the ideas of others. You will thrive when faced with new challenges, view them as opportunities, and constantly look to improve client deliverables and internal workstreams. You will work in a progressive environment that fosters a meritocratic culture, surrounded by some of the brightest minds in their fields.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Lead a diverse range of fast-moving local and global projects that are Digital Media led, technically and organisationally complex, strategic, digital, brand and comms-focused, from resourcing and scoping to delivery.
• Successfully deliver projects with high-quality deliverables, on time, and to budget.
• Work alongside the client service leads to create detailed briefs and debriefs for the team to action against.
• Identify what success looks like for each project, with client agreement, to ensure we achieve that as a team.
• Tailor and communicate an appropriate project structure by methodology or project phase. Document this clearly in the scope of work.
• Work with leads to accurately estimate a project according to the most appropriate model (e.g. fixed-price, capped time and materials, by project phase).
• Write thorough, considered scopes of work that can act as contracts for your projects. Define and agree on the scope of work internally and with clients, and ensure projects are delivered within this agreed scope.
• Forecast resource requirements across teams and assist Resource Management to plan proactively.
• Use the AKQA management information system to create, track and monitor overall projects, burn rates, and financial progress. Highlight potential overruns before they occur. Escalate and resolve financial issues as they happen.
• Strategise to maintain optimal client profitability by tracking and reporting the financial status of a project against the current estimates. Highlight potential overruns before they occur.
• Present and communicate effectively internally and externally, both verbally and in writing.
• Manage multiple resources and studios to ensure the best outcome for clients and AKQA. Keep stakeholders informed of project progress at all times and manage expectations proactively.
• Proactively identify, manage, and mitigate risks on a project, focusing on solutions.
• Balance specific client demands with project realities and reliably close the loop on all open issues in a timely manner.
• Engage in new business pitches; supporting global and regional delivery leads.
• Collaborate with the Delivery & Operations Director to craft long-term delivery strategies and implement industry best practices.
• Lead and inspire, sharing your knowledge with peers and mentoring mid / junior project managers. Cultivate a positive team environment, promoting proactivity, enthusiasm for client businesses, and continuous improvement.

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

Explore our extensive range of benefits here.

We believe great work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach including required in-office days. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

AKQA is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

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