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 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-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 innovation-based, 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Track and report the financial status of a project against the current estimates. Highlight potential overruns before they occur.
• 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.

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

• Please kindly note that only candidates meeting at least the below requirements will be considered
  • Experience delivering full life-cycle projects in a marketing/media agency or consultancy environment, implementing innovative, interactive, and consumer-focused solutions.
  • Experience working on digitally-led campaigns and content production. Media, data, and innovation project experience is also desirable.
• An accomplished communicator who gains the business's confidence and clients’ trust.
• Able to build strong relationships and achieve results under potentially difficult circumstances.
• Proven ability to work well under pressure with high flexibility and fluidity. Self-motivated and comfortable working independently.
• Possess good business acumen and sound judgment.
• Strong customer service ethos, committed to quality, with the will to drive improvements.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Constantly strive to improve AKQA delivery practices, processes, and procedures.

Explore our extensive range of benefits here

AKQA is an Equal Opportunities Employer, we believe that diversity is vital to AKQA’s ability to provide our clients with the best recommendations and are committed to fostering a varied and inclusive work environment. Your race, colour, ancestry, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or veteran status have no bearing on our hiring decisions. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.