Project Manager - Publishing & Journals

Square One Resources; England; Remote; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy is seeking a Project Manager to lead a strategic innovation project in the Publishing & Journals sector. This fully remote role requires proven experience in product-driven transformation, strong stakeholder management skills, and proficiency in Agile methodologies. The successful candidate will oversee the project lifecycle, ensuring alignment with business goals and driving measurable business value. This is a six-month contract, offering a competitive rate of up to £690 per day.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading product driven innovation & transformation projects end-to-end.
• Strong background in stakeholder management with the ability to influence and align diverse groups.
• Excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving, and analytical capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full project lifecycle from discovery through execution to benefits realization.
• Translate business strategy into executable delivery plans, aligned with business goals.
• Collaborate closely with product managers and teams to define project objectives.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Agile methodologies

Change management

Risk management

Strategic thinking

Problem-solving

Tools

Jira

Confluence

MS Project

Job description

Job Title: Project Manager - Publishing & Journals
Location: Fully Remote - UK Based
Salary/Rate: Up to £690 a day inside IR35
Start Date: November 2025
Job Type: 6-month notice (with scope to extend)

Company Introduction
We are looking for a results-driven Project Manager to lead end-to-end delivery of a strategic innovation project that supports our Publishing & Journals business unit.

• You will be accountable for delivering measurable business value while ensuring robust governance, stakeholder alignment, and seamless integration with the organisation's broader technology ecosystem.

About You

• Proven experience leading product driven innovation & transformation projects end-to-end in a fast-paced, complex environment.
• Mindset to drive the project forward through proactive management of risk
• Strong background in stakeholder management with the ability to influence and align diverse groups.
• Experience driving product vision and strategy into actionable delivery plans · Excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving, and analytical capabilities.
• Ability to manage budgets, resources, and delivery schedules with discipline and flexibility.
• Strong background in Agile, Lean, or Scaled Agile (SAFe) delivery methods. · Familiarity with tools like Jira, Confluence, MS Project, or other delivery management platforms.
• Prior experience in publishing and or ethics projects is a plus.

Strategic Delivery Ownership

• Lead the full project lifecycle from discovery through execution to benefits realization
• Translate business strategy into executable delivery plans, aligned with business goals and priorities.
• Collaborate with teams to deliver solutions that align with our strategy whilst enabling future innovation and revenue opportunities.
• Define, scope, and own delivery roadmaps across all areas of the transformation with clear milestones and outcome metrics.
• Ensure that the transformation supports scalable, sustainable growth and improves our customer's experience

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate closely with product managers, business sponsors, engineers, and data teams to define and align on project objectives, KPIs, and value outcomes.
• Act as a trusted partner to senior stakeholders, shaping and communicating the vision for the transformation. Ensuring transparency, alignment, and consistent communication across stakeholders at all levels.
• Build strong relationships with product managers, engineers, architects, and executive sponsors to drive alignment across all levels.
• Facilitate transparency, clarity, and decision-making to keep programs on track and stakeholders fully engaged.

Delivery Excellence

• Lead the planning and execution of a large-product innovation project, ensuring maximum long-term value.
• Define clear roadmaps for all workstreams including change management, technology delivery, business operations, customer migrations and go to market activities.
• Manage the end-to-end project, holding teams accountable on the details whilst ensuring that the holistic vision is achieved.
• Ensure scalability, sustainability, and integration into the companies wider technology ecosystem
• Champion agile principles and lead cross-functional squads to achieve delivery commitments.
• Navigate and challenge dependencies across platforms, teams, and domains, ensuring alignment and risk mitigation.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, resourcing, and change with a focus on value delivery, not just outputs.
• Ensure rigorous project governance and reporting in line with the organisations Technology standards.
• Proactively identify and manage risks, anticipate and resolve issues, challenge assumptions and implement mitigation strategies early.
• Track and report delivery metrics, escalating challenges with solutions-focused mindset.

Continuous Improvement

• Promote best practices in delivery management and change leadership across the organization.
• Mentor team members and foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and learning.
• Contribute to building a future-ready platform ecosystem that supports the company's mission of advancing science, education, and research impact.