Project Manager

At Jones and Palmer, the Project Manager stands as the pivotal force driving the success of our corporate storytelling and communication projects. This role demands an ability to oversee and direct the intricate dynamics of project management.

This includes: 

• Strategic Oversight: As the Project Manager, you will be ensuring the seamless delivery of projects within your portfolio. This encompasses strict adherence to timelines, budget constraints, and the highest quality standards.

• Cross-Departmental Engagement: You will play a critical role in guiding various departments through their project-related responsibilities, clarifying deadlines, and specifying unique requirements. Your involvement spans initial planning through to final delivery.

• Expert Facilitation: Leveraging both theoretical knowledge and practical expertise, you will address client challenges by utilising optimal workflows and critical paths. Your role is to facilitate and control the planning and scheduling processes meticulously and ensure all internal stakeholders are kept updated and informed.

• Client Engagement: Supporting the client services team, you will foster communication channels between internal teams and clients, supporting cohesive collaboration and alignment on project goals.

• Crisis and Change Management: In high-pressure scenarios, logical thinking and problem-solving skills will be paramount. You will identify the most effective paths forward while always striving to meet client expectations and seeking the support from Senior Project Managers where appropriate.

• Proactive Leadership: As a Project Manager, your proactive approach, attention to detail, and exceptional communication skills will be crucial in driving project success and maintaining high standards of quality.

Ultimately, you are the indispensable facilitator and gatekeeper, ensuring that every project is delivered with excellence and precision, and that processes and changes are communicated in a human, engaging way to keep all parties aligned.

Project Planning: Develop project plans outlining tasks, timelines, resources, and milestones.

Resource Planning Collaboration: Working closely with our Resource Managers to allocate resources effectively, including personnel and budget, to ensure project success.

Stakeholder Communication: Facilitate clear and consistent communication with project stakeholders, including clients, team members, and management, to ensure alignment and manage expectations.

Risk Management: Identify potential risks to the project and develop strategies to mitigate them, ensuring minimal disruption to project progress.

Team Leadership: Provide leadership and direction to project teams, fostering a collaborative and productive working environment.

Quality Assurance: Ensure project deliverables meet quality standards and client requirements, implementing quality control measures as necessary.

Budget Management: Monitor project expenses and track budget utilisation, ensuring adherence to financial constraints and reporting any variances.

Change Management: Manage changes to project scope, schedule, and budget effectively, assessing impacts and communicating adjustments to stakeholders.

Problem Solving: Address challenges and obstacles that arise during the project lifecycle, implementing creative solutions to keep the project on track.

Performance Monitoring: Monitor project progress against key performance indicators (KPIs) and take corrective action as needed to maintain project alignment with objectives.

Documentation and Administration: Maintain accurate project documentation, including plans, reports, and correspondence, to support project transparency and accountability.

Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities for process improvement and implement best practices to enhance project delivery efficiency and effectiveness.

• At least 1 year experience managing projects in a complex environment. (agency or corporate communications background would be advantageous)

• A qualification in Project Management or demonstrable equivalent experience is preferred (eg Prince2 foundation or practitioner).

• Highly organised, with a structured and methodical approach to your work.

• A sound understanding of the digital and print publication processes preferred.

• Familiarity with ERP systems/project management software.

• Good understanding of Microsoft and Google software.

• Digital understanding (Umbraco) and CMS systems are advantageous but not essential.

• Exceptional eye for detail with high quality standards.

• Ability to act with discretion, integrity, respect and thoughtfulness, maintaining confidentiality at all times.

• Proactive, forward thinking and embracing of change and development.

• A problem solver with critical thinking skills, willing to challenge/be challenged, see the big picture.

• Energetic, self-motivated, with the ability to multitask and prioritise own workload.

• Outstanding communication and collaboration skills, used to working as part of a team and communicate with clients and other internal and external stakeholders in the business.

• Leadership and management skills to support  junior members of the department and the wider internal team. 

These skills should enable you to effectively plan, execute, and optimise project delivery on behalf of our clients to achieve the desired business outcomes.

We are looking for a personable individual who is self-aware and who works collaboratively with the wider team. You will be proactive whilst bringing energy and determination to every task. You will be a passionate and authentic communicator who offers engaging and thought-provoking recommendations for clients and colleagues. You strive for high quality work, with a reputation for always delivering excellence.

• Make an impact: We believe the stories we tell can make a difference in the world. Join a supportive and collaborative working environment where your expertise will make a real impact. You will have the opportunity to work on meaningful, high-profile projects for corporate clients.

• Be part of an inclusive, collaborative and fun culture: We are storytellers, creatives, and strategists who support and inspire one another. We welcome people from all diverse backgrounds and create a supportive environment where everyone can contribute to their full potential regardless of their differences or personal needs. Our culture-building team organises regular staff events to keep our work environment fun and engaging.

• Enhance your professional growth: We want you to grow—in your career and as a human. We support continual learning and encourage you to sharpen your skills in line with your personal interests and passions. .

• Join a hybrid, innovative working environment: We offer a flexible hybrid working model that includes time spent in our Birmingham head office, working from home for focused, productive work, and visiting clients at their offices. Our head office is spacious and modern, featuring a range of work environments, comfortable seating, a modern kitchen, sit-down and standing desks, and ample opportunities for face-to-face collaboration. Every day presents a new challenge, and every challenge is an opportunity to innovate.

• Prioritise your health and wellbeing: While we work hard, we are committed to fostering a healthy work-life balance, ensuring you  can work effectively and recharge fully.  We offer 34 day holidays (including bank holidays), personal support plans, mental health resources, wellbeing sessions, and family-friendly policies to help everyone perform at their best and make sure that your personal needs are supported at work.

• Create meaningful, engaging work: Our projects are varied, engaging, and meaningful. It will provide you with an opportunity to make a unique, valuable contribution to your colleagues, clients and a wider community. 

• Engage in ethical, sustainable ways of working: We care deeply about the environment and promote sustainable practices in everything we do, from our internal operations to the stories we help our clients tell. We want to do the right thing for the planet and build a better world for future generations.