Associate Programme Director

AKQA; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

AKQA is looking for an Associate Programme Director in Amsterdam to lead complex, technology-driven production programmes. This role involves managing project portfolios, enhancing client relationships, and ensuring that AI and CGI methods are effectively integrated. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in project management methodologies and digital production, as well as skills in budgeting and financial forecasting. The position offers a collaborative environment focused on innovation and excellence.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience delivering complex digital production programmes in technology-led environments.
• Expert understanding of project management methodologies including Agile, Hybrid, and Waterfall.
• Strong awareness of AI, CGI, and emerging production technologies.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a portfolio of projects ensuring on-time delivery and adherence to budget.
• Act as primary client interface for senior relationship building and advising.
• Lead end-to-end delivery of digital programmes, ensuring excellence across teams.
• Define delivery approaches and work closely with resource managers.

Skills

Budget management

AI integration

Stakeholder management

CGI expertise

Agile project management

Job description

At AKQA (part of WPP), we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create ideas, products, and services that shape culture and drive meaningful outcomes. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative spirit, we design adaptive digital experiences that combine creativity, technology, and craft.

The Delivery team sits at the heart of everything we do, ensuring work is delivered with precision, care, and commercial clarity. As Associate Programme Director for the Amsterdam office, you will lead a portfolio of complex, technology‑led production programmes, including work shaped by AI and advanced CGI techniques. You will steward programme health end‑to‑end, balancing client ambition with agency capability, and building delivery models that are efficient, scalable, and future‑facing. A key part of your role is helping evolve how AI‑enabled workflows and modern production methods are applied across creative output. You will partner with clients as a trusted advisor, helping them navigate opportunity, complexity, and change – while leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver work of exceptional quality. In doing so, you will help shape how emerging technologies are meaningfully integrated into delivery practice. Based in central Amsterdam, you will collaborate across AKQA’s European studios in a culture built on ownership, curiosity, and craft, working alongside specialists who push the boundaries of creative technology and production.

Role & Responsibilities

• Oversee a portfolio of projects (up to €2M), ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and aligned with AKQA standards across modern production and technology‑enabled workflows.
• Act as primary client interface, building trusted senior relationships and advising on delivery strategy, including the effective use of AI and CGI where relevant.
• Lead end‑to‑end delivery of complex digital programmes, ensuring excellence in execution, strong coordination across teams, and resolution of delivery challenges.
• Own project financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, and risk of overrun. Understand key cost drivers such as compute, tooling, and rendering, and contribute to portfolio‑level planning.
• Define delivery approaches (fixed‑price and T&M), leading scoping, estimation, scheduling, and SoW creation for complex programmes. Work closely with resource managers to ensure the right blend of specialist capability is applied.
• Partner with internal teams and clients to shape solutions and support new business opportunities, contributing to growth in AI‑enabled production and advanced CGI work.
• Identify and mitigate delivery risks, including ethical considerations, data usage, and production complexity. Maintain high standards through structured reviews and continuous improvement of tools and ways of working.
• Coach and develop delivery teams, strengthening capability in modern production pipelines and emerging technologies, while fostering a high‑performance, collaborative culture.

Qualities & Characteristics

• Extensive experience delivering complex digital production programmes in fast‑moving, technology‑led environments.
• Strong grounding in CGI, animation, real‑time, or generative production workflows.
• Expert understanding of programme and project management across Agile, Hybrid, and Waterfall approaches.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, forecasting, and commercial delivery with strong attention to value and efficiency.
• Confident in working with business metrics, forecasting models, and financial principles.
• Strong commercial awareness with a focus on ROI, delivery effectiveness, and long‑term value creation.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, including engagement at senior and executive level.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, compelling business narratives.
• Experience mentoring and developing multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong understanding of emerging technologies, ethical considerations, and modern production models.
• Strong alignment with human‑centred design, creative craft, and outcome‑driven delivery.
• Strong understanding of creative technology, AI ethics, and emerging production models.
• High affinity with human‑centred design, creative craft, emerging technologies, and OKR-driven outcomes.

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.