Freelance Senior Project Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION 

We are seeking a freelance/contract Senior Project Manager to join our client services team, which partners closely with our strategy and creative teams on large-scale projects. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with proven experience in a brand consultancy or advertising/communications agency environment. This role is central to the success of Prophet’s fast-paced and growing activation and production team. You will play a pivotal role in leading and guiding a wide range of brand design implementation and digital projects through to successful delivery.   

RESPONSIBILITIES/COMPETENCIES  

Client  

• Acting as the key client contact on discrete workstreams, to ensure that strategic directives are implemented, and that work is delivered on time, on budget and it exceeds client expectations. 
• To comfortably navigate mid level client stakeholder landscapes and decision-making functions  
• To demonstrate understanding of client’s strategic needs and over time, become confident representing Prophet POV where necessary  
• Winning key stakeholders’ trust (internally and externally) through consistent performance, proactive management and demonstrating well rounded understanding of the client's business: environment, customers and competitors.  

 Team  

• To scope out project plan and roadmap for brand activation work streams eg. Brand identity and campaign development, activation and roll out 
• Scheduling project/account meetings, diary management and any appropriate conflict resolution 
• Supporting the project team to define the roadmap / project plan & key milestones 
• Ensuring the project team is following the timeline / keeping things on plan 
• Working with staffing (creative + strategy) to ensure that the right resources are in place, including contractor scheduling, alignment, and internal set-up  
• Facilitating regular team stand ups throughout the week, sharing notes afterwards 
• Setting up and helping to moderate client meetings where appropriate  
• Relaying client feedback and making sure it is being addressed  
• Facilitating smooth and effective working relationships within and across teams  
• To establish working relationship with senior client director(s) and diarise regular discipline check ins  
• To maintain project reports where required and escalate up issues with Partner team members as necessary  

Commercial  

• Negotiating with 3rd parties on contractual issues and liaising with Global contract team/EMEA project finance support  
• Ensuring Prophet contractual requirements regarding freelancers and vendors are in place and tracked eg PO’s/MSA’s  
• Monitoring Prophet’s online budgeting system (pricing model); tracking and approving freelancer time allocation within the system  
• Develop efficient working relationship with Prophet’s finance team, establishing meeting cadence to review project commercials  

EXPERIENCE/SKILLS REQUIREMENTS  

• Extensive experience within a relevant consultancy or agency, gaining multi industry/sector experience (brand consultancy/comms agency) 
• Ideally an industry recognised qualification e.g. CIM, CAM, PMI or equivalent training  
• Strong PPT and Excel capabilities – Microsoft project is a nice to have  
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with business-level proficiency in spoken and written English 
• Basic understanding of financial and accounting concepts 
• Business judgement, maturity and professionalism 
• Resourceful problem solver – ability to identify issues & develop effective solutions 
• Pragmatic / can-do attitude, always solution oriented  
• Ability to prioritise, multi-task, and remain calm under pressure  
• Confident, empathetic listener, able to resolve conflicts  
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail 
• Ability to adapt to change, embrace bold ideas, challenge conventional thinking and ways of operating 
• A willingness, when and if required, to work with (and potentially travel to) clients from all areas within EMEA 
• Self-starter able to work without constant oversight