Program manager

JKR

Greater London

Hybrid

GBP 70,000 - 90,000

Full time

18 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Shoreditch studio location

Hybrid working policy (2 days pw)

Bupa Healthcare (dental option)

Income protection & life insurance

Classpass credits

Group personal pension

25 days holiday + Christmas/New Year

Summer Fridays x 2

Birthday day off

Job summary

Jones Knowles Ritchie (JKR) is seeking a Program Manager to lead by example and elevate client outcomes through meticulous planning and coordination across workstreams. The role focuses on delivering consistent creative solutions while championing collaboration within the hub and with Client Services.

Ideal candidates will have proven PM experience in branding or creative agency settings, with strong prioritisation and communication skills to manage diverse client briefs and teams.

Qualifications

Proven experience in a Program/Project Management role within branding, design, or creative agency environments.
Track record of managing multiple concurrent projects and client relationships.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management across diverse teams.

Responsibilities

Lead delivery across multiple briefs ensuring the creative intent is preserved across channels.
Coordinate internal teams and external partners to drive projects through the studio.
Partner with Client Services to manage client expectations and advocate for projects.
Maintain strong relationships with clients and collaborators to attract top talent.

Skills

Program management

Time management

Communication

Relationship building

Branding/creative agency

Job description

Jones Knowles Ritchie (JKR) is a branding business, founded in 1990 and proudly independent ever since.

We started out in the world of packaging, but now we're worldwide; from three founders to more than 300 of us across the UK and USA. Together, we build and deliver brands across the entire consumer experience.

But even more important than what we do, is why we do it. We're here to inspire brands and people to be their true selves.

To be brave.

Be tenacious.

And above all, be yourself.

Because we believe that's the only way to truly be distinctive, everywhere.

We're looking for a Program Manager to lead by example and deliver greater value to our clients.

Internally, you'll champion collaboration across teams to get to the best creative solutions, through meticulous planning, organisation, and coordination of every workstream.

Externally, you'll develop client trust and advocacy through effective planning and delivery across every brief, partnering closely with Client Services to provide a consistently excellent client experience.

What You'll Do

Creative Delivery

Inspire client confidence through effective project delivery that harnesses the creative intent across a variety of channels
Analyse client challenges and briefs, asking the right questions to get to the best outcomes
Manage multiple project timelines across multiple clients within a Design Hub, ensuring all deadlines are met and tangibles delivered
Partner with the team to ensure creative intent is preserved across mediums
Act as a key partner to Client Services, proactively driving projects through the studio and enabling the team to manage client expectations effectively

Communication

Collaborate closely with Creative Services to determine the most suitable internal and external expertise for each client opportunity
Articulate design intent to Creative Services so they can source the right talent for specialisms
Proactively and effectively manage internal and external communications across diverse teams, levels, and priorities
Champion outstanding collaboration, internally and externally, in pursuit of great creative output
Build strong relationships with partners, experts, and collaborators to develop advocacy and attract the best talent
Adapt communication style to audience and situation, while always delivering a consistent message
Listen actively and openly

Creativity and Brand Centricity

Work with Design directors and Client Services to determine the right talent for projects, drawing on in-depth knowledge of capabilities, efficiency, costing, and desired outcomes
Proactively offer ideas and solutions to client challenges, considering different approaches to the brief with a clear understanding of the client's brand and business
Anticipate client needs and expectations, striving to deliver the best solutions and exceed expectations wherever possible
Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to client needs

Commercial Awareness

Use knowledge of how the business charges and resources projects to drive efficiency and profitability, while maintaining the highest level of creative output
Work in tandem with Client Services to ensure project quotes accurately reflect the work, advising based on previous projects and experience to assist negotiations
Work closely with Creative Services to ensure quotes are reflected in resourcing requirements
Recognise, raise, and resolve individual project issues resulting in overburn with the Hub team and Finance as necessary

Leadership & Relationships

Motivate, support, and inspire JKR internal teams effectively and responsibly, managing situations to positive outcomes
Display integrity, honesty, reliability, responsiveness, and openness to instil trust with clients and internal teams
Manage conflict, leaning into issues as they arise
React quickly and proactively to change, instilling calm across internal and external stakeholders

Requirements

Proven experience in a Program/Project Management role, ideally within a branding, design, or creative agency environment or comparable in-house studio.
Track record of managing multiple concurrent projects and client relationships, with strong prioritisation and time-management skills
Strong understanding of creative processes and the ability to preserve intent across different mediums and channels
Experience partnering with Client Services teams to manage client expectations and deliver a consistent client experience
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to adapt style to different audiences, teams, and seniority levels
Strong organisational and coordination skills, with meticulous attention to planning across multiple workstreams
Commercial awareness, including experience with project quoting, resourcing, and budget/profitability management
Comfortable managing conflict and navigating change calmly under pressure
Strong relationship-building skills, both internally and with external partners, experts, and collaborators
Genuine passion for branding and creativity, with curiosity about client businesses and industries

Benefits