Creative Project Manager (Experiential Production)

Bolster Digital; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading creative agency in Melbourne is seeking a Creative Project Manager to oversee the delivery of experiential and activation projects. The ideal candidate will manage various client accounts, ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget, and foster relationships with stakeholders. Key attributes include strong communication skills, budget management expertise, and a collaborative mindset. This role offers a dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Flexible working model

Career progression opportunities

Access to industry events

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in creative production and live activations.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and in fast-paced environments.
• Commercially minded with strong financial acumen.

Responsibilities

• Manage key client accounts and deliver multiple creative projects.
• Negotiate with external stakeholders and suppliers.
• Lead the delivery of activations and events on-ground.

Skills

Project Management

Communication

Budget Management

Client Relations

Problem Solving

Education

Experience in creative production

Job description

Overview

The Creative Project Manager (Experiential Production) at Bolster is the driving force behind seamless project execution, ensuring that our experiential and activation projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget. This role manages multiple clients, complex workflows, and coordination across internal teams, external contractors and stakeholders, and clients. The role monitors budgets, tracks utilisation, and provides clear visibility on project health and learnings to improve future delivery. With a deep understanding of project management, event production and activations within the live entertainment and festival landscape, the Creative Project Manager brings structure and clarity to every stage of the project lifecycle, mitigates risks, and upholds Bolster Group’s reputation for exceptional client service. The ideal candidate is a solutions-driven problem solver, an expert communicator, and a collaborative leader who thrives on bringing bold ideas to life.

What Bolster is

We are integrated communications specialists with an eye on culture. Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, we are a team of 50+ passionate individuals across four specialist teams. Foundational clients include festivals and events such as Splendour In The Grass, Beyond The Valley, Pitch, St Jerome’s Laneway Festival, and more recently RISING Festival, ALWAYS LIVE and Sydney Festival. Bolster Group has devised integrated campaigns for brands including Bacardi-Martini Australia, KFC, Google, EA Games, Samsung, Warner Music, and more. We’re the agency you bring in when you want to play meaningfully in music and broader culture. Our offering includes consulting, branded entertainment, and media, with sister agencies Aeroplane, Common State, and Going North extending our capabilities.

Ultimately, Bolster Group is famous for connecting brands to their fans.

What You’ll Be Doing

Project Delivery

• Manage key client accounts (festival properties), servicing the delivery of multiple creative projects from contracting to delivery
• Help the Client Partnerships team scope briefs and draft scope of work documentation, balancing client aspirations with feasible delivery
• Lead experiential projects by aligning all stakeholders on roles, objectives, KPIs, milestones, budget, deliverables and ways of working
• Research and source activation elements
• Negotiate with external stakeholders and suppliers to procure the best deals and rates without compromising quality
• Develop and maintain project budgets and timelines; monitor finances including team resource and scope
• Manage contracting and invoicing of externals in line with approved processes
• Prepare detailed pre-production documentation (execution plans, briefs, run sheets, etc.)
• Manage client communications during delivery, lead WIP meetings, and keep project tools up to date
• Act as the main liaison between delivery teams, external contractors, and the client during the delivery phase
• Manage expectations, provide frequent updates, and mitigate risk to ensure swift resolution
• Oversee the delivery of bar builds, events and activations on time and within budget
• Lead the delivery of activations and events on-ground including supplier and crew supervision, logistics and time management
• Support the delivery of content and production projects, as well as talent and creator partnerships
• Identify opportunities to expand services and grow accounts
• Lead compilation of internal and client-facing experiential project completion reports with accurate budget reconciliation
• Maintain an exceptional client service experience at every touchpoint

Admin & Internal Tasks

• Build and maintain relationships with external suppliers and creatives
• Assist in implementing new ways of working to reduce friction and improve delivery
• Complete timely project retrospectives to ensure client expectations are met or exceeded
• Attend internal team meetings including stand-ups, WIPs and training sessions
• Collaborate with the wider Project Delivery team across integrated creative projects
• Stay up-to-date with emerging trends in activations and experiences; share insights with clients and peers
• Represent Bolster Group at industry events and client meetings

• Commercially minded with strong financial acumen and budget management skills
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and in fast-paced environments
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple projects
• Resilience and a solutions-focused mindset
• Effective time management and attention to detail
• Proactive and self-motivated; initiative-driven
• Proven history of managing and building rapport with clients and stakeholders
• Willingness to attend events occasionally (weeknights/weekends)
• 3+ years of experience in creative production, talent and content partnerships, live activations
• Can-do attitude and willingness to tackle new challenges for the wider team
• Available full-time during the upcoming summer festival season (fixed-term or permanent)

Our Culture

Best described by our values, guiding how we interact with peers, partners and clients:

• Eyes on culture: We connect clients to culture and current affairs and immerse ourselves in the communities we serve
• We turn up: In a presentation, at a launch, at an event, in a WIP, every day for our clients and teammates
• We roll with the punches: The work is unpredictable; we do our best work when challenged
• We keep it real: Knowledge, transparency, authenticity in how we work
• It’s in our hands: We take responsibility, stay proactive, and push beyond our comfort zone

What You Can Expect From Us

• Interesting, exciting, and challenging work with an enviable list of clients
• Support, guidance, and growth including an annual learning and development budget
• Fortnightly Bolster Uni sessions with internal and external speakers
• Flexible working model with office and WFH days
• Free coffee, Class Pass credits and access to Masterclass
• Employee Assistance Program services including counselling and wellbeing resources
• Complimentary tickets to industry, music and arts events
• Career progression and recognition for your contributions

Bolster values diversity and nurtures the uniqueness of our team. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to express their interest. We aim to create a working environment where each individual can bring their full self to work and be valued for their contribution.