Senior Project Manager

AKQA; Berlin; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Required in-office days

Equal opportunity employer

Job summary

AKQA, part of WPP, in Berlin, seeks a Senior Project Manager to lead end-to-end content-production projects for German and global audiences. You’ll manage budgets, timelines and cross-functional teams, ensuring high-quality outputs and client satisfaction in a hybrid work environment.

You will coordinate internal and external partners, develop accurate estimates, and communicate progress, risks, and opportunities to stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in multidisciplinary service delivery within an agency.
• Proven ability to lead complex projects, including productions and on-location shoots.
• Strong knowledge of content-production processes and working with third-party partners.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and able to work autonomously.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end planning and delivery of strategic and creative content-production projects for the German market or global audiences.
• Deliver high-quality work on time and within scope and estimates.
• Manage projects independently from kickoff to completion with minimal supervision.
• Define and communicate project structure, governance and delivery approach for each engagement.
• Develop accurate estimates with project leads and communicate assumptions to clients.
• Agree and document the scope of work with internal teams and clients, manage changes and constraints.
• Manage budgets, forecasts and resources, track financials and flag overruns early.
• Coordinate internal teams, clients, stakeholders, suppliers and external partners for optimal outcomes.
• Keep stakeholders informed with clear updates and proactively manage risks and issues.
• Plan and facilitate effective meetings, ensuring decisions and actions are documented.
• Identify opportunities to improve delivery practices and processes.
• Plan post-project reviews and share learnings with teams and clients.

Skills

Project management

Client liaison

Budget management

Risk management

Stakeholder communication

Cross-functional leadership

Job description

At AKQA (part of WPP) we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful ideas, products and services. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we create content that captures the imagination, and design adaptive digital products and services delivering impressive returns for our clients.

The Delivery team are at the epicenter of all projects, ensuring they’re delivered to the highest quality, on time, and that clients receive the greatest possible value from their investment.

The Senior Project Manager at AKQA will acutely understand a project’s desired outcomes. Taking responsibility for assignments, ensuring completion on time, within budget and that objectives are met, the Senior Project Manager will be able to confidently address business needs, manage resources and any issues to successfully navigate and deliver all aspects of the assignment.

Located in Berlin, Germany, as part of the AKQA team, you will work in an environment that fosters a dynamic and meritocratic culture, surrounded by some of the brightest minds in their fields.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Lead the end-to-end planning and delivery of strategic and creative content-production projects, including campaign content, social activations, and digital content for the German market or global audiences.
• Deliver high-quality work on time and within the agreed scope and project estimates.
• Manage projects independently, with minimal supervision, overseeing their operational, administrative, and functional requirements from kickoff through completion.
• Define and communicate the right project structure, governance, and delivery approach for each engagement and project phase.
• Work with project leads to develop accurate estimates for agreed scopes of work, select the appropriate estimation model, and clearly communicate estimates and assumptions to clients.
• Agree and document the scope of work with internal teams and clients. Manage changes, balance client needs with project constraints, and resolve open issues promptly.
• Manage project budgets, forecasts, and resources to support delivery and profitability. Track and report financial performance against estimates, flag potential overruns early, and resolve or expedite financial issues promptly.
• Coordinate internal teams, clients, stakeholders, suppliers, and external partners to achieve the best outcomes for both clients and AKQA.
• Keep stakeholders informed through clear, timely project updates. Proactively manage expectations and communicate risks, dependencies, and issues.
• Plan and facilitate effective internal and client meetings, ensuring objectives are clear and decisions and actions are documented and followed up.
• Identify opportunities to improve AKQA’s delivery practices, processes, and procedures.
• Plan and facilitate post-project reviews, capture key learnings, and share them with relevant AKQA teams, clients, and third parties

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

• At least five years’ experience managing multidisciplinary service delivery in an agency environment, delivering innovative, interactive, consumer-focused solutions.
• Proven ability to lead complex projects, including productions and on-location content shoots.
• Strong knowledge of content-production processes and experience working with third-party production partners.
• Highly organised and responsive, helping colleagues to work efficiently and effectively.
• Self-motivated and able to work autonomously with minimal supervision.
• Commercially minded, with sound financial judgement and the ability to assess problems quickly, develop practical solutions, and manage client expectations and project workflows.
• Confident in client-facing situations, with the ability to discuss the benefits, limitations, and trade-offs of proposed projects and workstreams.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality projects.
• Systematic, methodical, and pragmatic.
• Proactive and willing to take initiative, challenge existing ways of working, and improve workflows.
• Committed to excellent client service, high standards, continuous improvement, and integrity.
• Ability to communicate professionally in writing and verbally, lead complex discussions and negotiations, and prepare formal documentation.

We provide an extensive range of benefits. To find out more click here

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.

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company - powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.