Senior Program manager

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 were 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. Were here to inspire brands and people to be their true selves.

To be brave.

Be tenacious.

And above all be yourself.

Because we believe thats the only way to truly be distinctive everywhere.

Were looking for a Senior Program Manager to lead by example and deliver greater value to our clients.
Internally youll champion collaboration across teams to get to the best creative solutions through meticulous planning organisation and coordination of every workstream.

Externally youll 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 Youll Do

Project Management

• Manage and lead a range of projects with varied deliverables workflows and stakeholders inspiring client confidence through delivery that harnesses the creative intent across a variety of channels
• Manage multiple project timelines across multiple clients within a Design Hub ensuring all deadlines are met and tangibles delivered
• Create and manage project level documentation including scopes of work change requests timelines and resourcing plans
• Maintain and run project management and resourcing tools and keep burn rates and project financial reports accurate and up to date
• Initiate client and internal team reviews at the right milestones and help the team follow best in class ways of working
• Embrace new tools and technology and share what you learn with the team

Client Management

• Build strong relationships with clients as the day-to-day project lead in partnership with Client Services anticipating their needs and keeping status reports and master timelines current
• Analyse client challenges and briefs asking the right questions to understand full requirements and set right-first-time project plans in line with budget and process
• Pre-empt and respond to client requests building plans that achieve successful delivery
• Act as a key partner to Client Services proactively driving projects through the studio and enabling the team to manage client expectations effectively

Collaboration and Communication

• Partner with Creative and Strategy teams to ensure creative intent is preserved across all mediums and touchpoints
• Collaborate closely with Creative Services to determine the most suitable internal and external expertise for each client opportunity and articulate design intent so they can source the right talent for specialisms
• Proactively manage internal and external communications across diverse teams levels and priorities
• Adapt your communication style to audience and situation while always delivering a consistent message
• Champion outstanding collaboration internally and externally in pursuit of great creative output
• Listen actively and openly

Creativity and Brand Centricity

• Work with Design Directors and Client Services to determine the right talent for projects drawing on knowledge of capabilities efficiency costing and desired outcomes
• Build relationships with partners experts and collaborators encouraging them to push technical and creative boundaries to deliver on the creative vision
• Proactively offer ideas and solutions to client challenges with a clear understanding of the clients brand and business
• Keep an eye on the latest technology thinking and trends sharing knowledge internally to help realise creative ideas and define new ones
• Anticipate client needs and expectations striving to exceed them wherever possible with flexibility and adaptability

Financial Management

• Use your 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 from previous projects and experience to support negotiations
• Work closely with Creative Services to ensure quotes are reflected in resourcing requirements
• Recognise raise and resolve project issues resulting in overburn with the Hub team and Finance as necessary
• Use forecasting and reporting to flag risks early

Relationships and Teamwork

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

• Proven experience in a Senior Program/Project Management role ideally within a branding design or creative agency or a comparable in-house studio
• Track record of managing multiple concurrent projects and client relationships with strong prioritisation and time-management skills
• Experience creating and managing project documentation such as scopes of work change requests timelines and resourcing plans
• 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
• Commercial awareness including experience with project quoting resourcing burn rates and budget and profitability management
• 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
• Comfortable managing conflict and navigating change calmly under pressure
• Strong relationship-building skills both internally and with external partners experts and collaborators
• Confident using project management and resourcing tools and keen to adopt new technology
• Genuine passion for branding and creativity with curiosity about client businesses and industries

Competitive salary

Lively Shoreditch studio location

Hybrid working policy minimum 2 days pw in the Shoreditch studio

Bupa Healthcare including dental option

Income protection & life insurance

Classpass credits

Group personal pension

25 days holiday time given at Christmas and New Year

Summer Fridays x 2

Birthday day off

After probation:

• Season ticket loan
• Cycle to work scheme
• Enhanced parental leave policies
• Referral scheme for new hires
• 2 weeks work from anywhere by agreement with line manager

Required Experience:

Senior IC