Project Manager

AKQA Media; Dubai; Hybrid; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading digital agency in Dubai is seeking a Project Manager to lead and collaborate with cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate will manage project delivery phases, communicate effectively with stakeholders, and ensure projects meet scope and budget requirements. This role offers personal and professional growth within a creative environment, along with a hybrid work model.

Benefits

Ongoing personal and professional development

Meritocratic culture

Flexibility in work environment

Qualifications

• Experience in leading all phases of project delivery including research, strategy, design, and production.
• Able to build strong relationships and achieve results under pressure.
• Experience delivering full life-cycle projects in a digital agency environment.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate and lead a multi-disciplinary team.
• Manage multiple suppliers, partners, and clients.
• Prepare and submit Project Status Reports on time.

Skills

Project delivery management

Stakeholder communication

Resource management

Risk mitigation

Attention to detail

Job description

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.

As a Project Manager at AKQA, you 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 be adept at managing a wide array of stakeholders, internal and external, while consistently ensuring that the product and content delivered meets the set scope, time and budget requirements.

You employ a solutions focussed, entrepreneurial mindset to address changes, manage resources and collaborate with production partners. The result is to successfully navigate and deliver all aspects of a project. 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.

From our location in Dubai, AKQA offers our staff the opportunity to produce meaningful and award-winning work for world-class clients and brands. You will work in an environment which fosters a meritocratic culture and encourages ownership, you’ll be liaising with bright minds across KSA, UAE and Egypt. You’ll have the opportunity to learn and grow within a creative and innovative team, with access to ongoing personal and professional development. At AKQA, we’re committed to your career growth, as well as your work/life balance.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Experience in leading all phases of project delivery including research, strategy, ideation, prototyping, design, development and production.
• Identify what success looks like for each project, with client agreement, to ensure we achieve that as a team.
• Elicit and document accurate requirements internally or from clients at outset of project.
• Author well‑crafted Project Status Reports, ensuring they are submitted on time, every week (95% compliance target).
• Forecast resource requirements across teams.
• Tailor and communicate an appropriate project structure by methodology or project phase. Document this clearly in the scope of work.
• Communicate effectively to all stakeholders, both verbally and in written formats.
• Work with leads to accurately estimate an agree scope of work 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 a contract for your projects. Define and agree the scope of work internally and with client/s and ensure projects are delivered within this agreed scope.
• Track and report financial status of a project against current estimate. Highlight potential overruns before they occur.
• Set up, structure and deliver a diverse range of fast‑moving global projects that are innovation‑based, technically and organisationally complex, strategic, digital, brand and comms focused.
• Manage multiple suppliers, partners and client/s to ensure best outcome for both client/s 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.
• Present information effectively via multiple channels: at ease presenting in team meetings or to the occasional larger group setting.

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

• Experience of delivering full life‑cycle projects in a digital agency environment, implementing innovative, interactive and consumer‑focused solutions.
• Experience working on digitally led campaigns and websites. Global branding, 360 campaigns and innovation project experience is also desirable.
• Accomplished communicator who gains the confidence of the business and the trust of clients.
• Able to build strong relationships and achieve results under potentially difficult circumstances.
• Proven ability to work well under pressure with a high degree of 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.

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.