Careers In Client Management

The role of the Senior Project Manager (PM) is to oversee assigned projects from concept to delivery. Project Managers are responsible for organizing and managing projects as the central point of communication for both internal team and clients. Budget, schedule and quality assurance are blended responsibilities. PMs partner with Account Managers (AM) to ensure that a well-defined Statement of Work (SOW) is in place prior to work start with an associated budget and timeline. PMs distill project needs into a comprehensive project plan with key milestones and deliverables throughout. Collaboration with directors and project leads is essential to ensure project is tracked according to plan. PMs assess weekly task schedule and assign resources as needed to meet project requirements. Budget management is essential; PMs consistently monitor project progress based on percentage complete as it relates to the budget. PMs are enthusiastic problem solvers and thrive on being engaged at all levels of the project.
 
Success will be measured in a variety of areas including but not limited to:

• Ability to accurately budget and schedule project to defined SOW
• Ability to craft comprehensive project plans and provide a clear roadmap for workflow and resourcing.
• Ability to balance project financial goals as it relates to budget; labor hours, costs and expenses along with delivering innovative and high quality work.  
• Ability to distill and communicate client inputs and information that provide the team with the essential information to advance.
• Ability to be seen as a leader and go-to resource at the project level.

• Participate in sales and proposals as needed; representing Downstream’s team and culture, knowledgeable of DS’s past work experience, providing input on scope, budget, schedule, assumptions and dependencies if required.
• Project Responsibilities:
  • Schedule – Create work plan/project schedules and manage internal team and clients on deliverables. Clearly communicate changes that will affect schedule to clients.
  • Budget – Build project budgets with resource tasks and outside expenses. Review budget burn and estimated costs to complete weekly. Use DS Project Management/Accounting software to build and manage budgets and billing.
  • Meetings – Plan and facilitate appropriate meetings for projects throughout all phases: planning, reviews, status. Include appropriate team members, schedule in advance.
  • Resource Planning – Use resource planning tool to reserve resources each week. Communicate changing resource needs to Production Director and other group leads for prioritization. Set client expectations of deliveries according to resource time available. Map resource plans to budget.
  • Project Team Communication – Communicate project plan details, client direction, and DS commitments clearly and without delay to the team. Consistently utilize DS collaboration tools setting standards of best practices.
  • Vendors – Negotiate and execute vendor agreements – detailing scope of services and schedule expectations. Create fixed fee purchase order agreements using competitive market value rates.
  • Client Communication – Responsible for maintaining relationship within projects. Communicate directly with client on schedule, budget, and project specifics.
  • ASR/Change Orders – Actively monitor project risks and scope creep to foresee/identify potential problems and proactively identify solutions in advance. Notify clients of additional budget needed as soon as scope has changed and before work commences. Collaborate with account lead to negotiate ASR specifics with clients.
• Communicate and document project status and strategic recommendations regularly; escalate issues accordingly via the appropriate channels.
• Consistently manage client expectations, ensure delivery of the highest quality service, solicit and act on client feedback
• Manage projects to established processes. Make recommendations for process improvements and changes so that we continue to learn and improve our operational efficiencies.
• Support Downstream’s goals, policies and culture.

• A minimum of 8 years of relevant industry experience preferably in an agency environment specializing in at least one of the following areas: experience design, software development or digital media design.
• In-depth knowledge of environmental design and implementation and/or a proven experience producing digital media and interactive experiences.
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communications skills
• Ability to be a quick thinker and effective problem solver.
• Demonstrated ability to work with and support cross-functional project teams.
• Competencies in MS Office, Adobe Suite and other industry project management and communications tools such as Advantage, Teamwork and Box.