Project / Operations Manager [211326]

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead creative operations and project delivery within a fast-paced creative studio. Acting as the central point of coordination across creative teams, workflow, clients, and business support functions, this role provides structure, visibility, and continuous improvement across all studio activities.

The successful candidate will combine operational excellence, project leadership, commercial awareness, and stakeholder management to ensure creative work is delivered efficiently, consistently, and to the highest quality standards across print, digital, and video channels.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Project Management function within the creative studio, establishing best practice frameworks, processes, governance, and ways of working.
• Take ownership of high-value and technically complex projects across video, print, and digital production.
• Provide operational leadership across planning, scoping, estimating, resource management, risk management, and project delivery.
• Partner closely with Creative Directors, designers, production teams, workflow coordinators, and key stakeholders to ensure seamless execution.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

Operational Excellence

• Develop and enhance studio operational processes and governance frameworks.
• Maintain and improve:
  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
  • Process documentation
  • Knowledge management resources
  • Root Cause Analysis (RCA) processes
  • Audit readiness and compliance standards
• Produce operational performance reporting, identifying trends, bottlenecks, risks, and improvement opportunities.

Project Management

• Develop and implement a studio-wide project management framework, including:
  • Briefing templates
  • Scoping and estimation tools
  • Service level agreements (SLAs)
  • Quality assurance checkpoints
  • Governance processes
  • Status reporting
  • Resource planning and pipeline management
• Manage projects from initiation through to completion, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to agreed quality standards.
• Coordinate project schedules, deliverables, client communications, and production activities.
• Identify project risks, manage changes, and ensure effective communication throughout the project lifecycle.
• Work closely with creative leadership to balance workload, resource availability, and project priorities.
• Facilitate post-project reviews to capture lessons learned and drive continuous improvement.

Quality & Creative Standards

• Establish and maintain studio-wide quality standards, including:
  • Version control
  • File management
  • Quality assurance processes
  • Handover procedures
  • File naming conventions
• Develop templates, guidelines, and best practice documentation to support consistent delivery.

Workflow & Systems Management

• Oversee end-to-end creative workflow processes.
• Act as the primary escalation point for workflow and operational issues.
• Drive improvements that reduce rework, missed deadlines, and unclear project briefs.
• Improve workflow efficiency, utilisation, and overall productivity.
• Support implementation and enhancement of production and workflow systems in collaboration with technical specialists.

Commercial & Financial Management

• Monitor project budgets, purchase orders, financial tracking, and commercial performance.
• Review client invoicing and management reporting.
• Ensure financial transparency, accurate forecasting, and early identification of commercial risks.
• Support business growth through effective project governance and commercial insight.

Performance & Reporting

• Define, monitor, and report on key performance indicators, including:
  • Delivery performance
  • Resource utilisation
  • Revision cycles
  • Workflow efficiency
• Develop dashboards and reporting frameworks to support informed decision-making and continuous improvement.

Skills & Experience

• Demonstrable experience leading or developing a project management function within a creative studio, agency, in‑house creative team, or production environment.
• Proven track record delivering complex, multi‑channel projects across print, digital, and video.
• Strong knowledge of project management methodologies, operational processes, and governance frameworks.
• Experience working with workflow management systems and production platforms.
• Commercially aware, with experience managing budgets, financial reporting, and project forecasting.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and relationship‑building skills.
• Strong analytical skills with a data‑driven approach to performance improvement.
• Highly organised with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Self‑motivated, proactive, and solutions‑focused.
• Confident working in fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environments.
• Strong leadership skills with a collaborative and hands‑on approach.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance operational delivery and continuous improvement.

Client Description

Aquent is dedicated to improving inclusivity and is proudly an equal‑opportunity employer. We encourage applications from under‑represented groups and are committed to providing support to applicants with disabilities. We aim to provide reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process to those with a medical condition, disability or neurodivergence.

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