Creative Project Manager

Aquent; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Aquent is seeking a Creative Project Manager for Print & Direct Mail to partner with Creative Directors, Designers, and vendors, moving projects from concept to final delivery.

You’ll own file construction, proofs, stock selection, and direct mail data. Manage budgets, negotiate costs, drive bids, and build timelines while guarding quality and compliance with mailing regulations and fulfillment.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of print production management experience.
• Proficient with Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Photoshop).
• Familiar with workflow tools (Workfront, Basecamp) and procurement systems (Ariba, PeopleSoft).
• Deep knowledge of paper weights, ink configurations, coatings, and postal regulations.
• Excellent attention to detail and vendor negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Creative Directors, Designers, and vendors to move projects from concept to final delivery.
• Own file construction, CMYK/color proofs, paper stock selection, and direct mail data handling.
• Manage project budgets, negotiate vendor costs, drive bids, and build razor-sharp timelines.
• Serve as QA lead for resolution, fonts, construction, mailing regulations, and final fulfillment.

Skills

Print production management

Adobe CC tools

Workflow tools

Procurement systems

Attention to detail

Negotiation skills

Tools

InDesign

Photoshop

PDF preview

Workfront

Basecamp

Ariba

PeopleSoft

Job description

The Role: Creative Project Manager (Print & Direct Mail)

Ever look at a flawlessly crafted, beautifully embossed piece of direct mail and think, “I know exactly how they picked that paper stock”? If you love bringing wild creative visions to life down to the millimeter—and on budget,we want you on our team.

What You’ll Do

• Make Magic Real: Partner with Creative Directors, Designers, and vendors to take projects from blue-sky concept to final delivery.
• Master the Specs: Own file construction, CMYK/color proofs, paper stock selection, and direct mail variable data (XML geekiness welcome!).
• Run the Money & Timelines: Manage project budgets, negotiate vendor costs, drive competitive bids, and build razor-sharp timelines.
• Guard the Quality: Serve as the ultimate QA hawk for resolution, fonts, construction, mailing regulations, and final fulfillment.

What You Bring

• Experience: 2–5 years of print production management (agency or in-house studio).
• Tech & Specs Savvy: Familiar with Adobe tools (InDesign, Photoshop, PDF preview), workflow tools (Workfront, Basecamp), and procurement systems (Ariba, PeopleSoft).
• Print Expertise: Deep knowledge of paper weights, ink configurations, coatings, and postal regulations.
• Superpowers: Incredible attention to detail, strong vendor negotiation skills, and a cool head under tight deadlines.

Ready to obsess over GSM paper weights and make beautiful things happen?