Project Director

About Ogilvy  

Ogilvy, part of WPP, has been creating impact for brands through iconic, culture-changing, value-driving ideas since the company was founded by David Ogilvy 75 years ago. It builds on that rich legacy through Borderless Creativity – innovating at the intersections of its advertising, public relations, relationship design, consulting, and health capabilities with experts collaborating seamlessly across over 120 offices in nearly 90 countries. Ogilvy currently ranks as the #1 global agency network for creative excellence and effectiveness by WARC, signifying its ability to deliver creative solutions that drive unreasonable impact for clients and communities. Ogilvy is a WPP company (NYSE: WPP). For more information, visit Ogilvy.com, and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook.

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.

Project Director
Large Tech Organisation 

Department: Social & Influence 
Location: Sea Containers, London 
Contact type: 12-Month Fixed Term Contract 
Full Time/Part time: Full Time 
Reporting into: Project Management Lead 

About Ogilvy: 
Ogilvy UK has been creating iconic ideas that deliver impact at scale for clients ever since David Ogilvy founded the company in 1948. Ogilvy UK specialises in bringing together brand advertising, customer experience marketing, PR, influence and consulting, all fuelled by Behavioural Science. Our world-class award-winning creative campaigns deliver solutions for clients including Molson Coors (owner of Madrí beer), Valeo Foods UK (owner of Kettle Chips and Rowse Honey), Argos, Mondelēz International, Unilever, TK Maxx and Pernod Ricard.   

In 2023, Ogilvy UK celebrated their 75th anniversary and was the most awarded agency in Europe. Ogilvy is home to the largest influencer marketing practice globally, and hosts the world’s biggest festival of behavioural science and creativity, Nudgestock – now in its 12th year.  

The Role:   

As a Project Director, your experience will be invaluable as you navigate complex project landscapes. Your primary focus will be on guiding cross-functional teams to efficient collaboration, ensuring project milestones are met with precision. You'll orchestrate the synchronisation of resources, creating an environment where ideas evolve into tangible outcomes. Your strategic insight and seasoned judgment will be instrumental in propelling projects forward, adapting to evolving circumstances and unforeseen challenges while keeping business objectives front and centre. 

Your leadership will also extend to mentoring junior team members, fostering their growth, and enhancing the overall capabilities of our teams. With strong communication skills, you'll be a reliable collaborator, working in harmony with account managers, creatives, and stakeholders to ensure a unified approach that consistently exceeds client expectations. Your dedication to detail will play a pivotal role in maintaining the high standards our agency is known for, ensuring that every project deliverable is of exceptional quality. 

Key Responsibilities:  

• Act as the main liaison between different agency functions to coordinate resources effectively. 

• Oversee end-to-end execution of integrated projects, ensuring seamless delivery.  

• Manage project setup, budgeting, and resource coordination.  

• Handle a variety of projects across social, and influencer campaigns.  

• Cultivate strong relationships with project teams, the commercial division, and the PMO Lead. 

• Develop a deep understanding of client remuneration and commercial models. • Monitor project finances and proactively address resource allocation challenges.  

• Effectively manage project schedules, adhering to scope, timelines, and budgets.  

• Identify and mitigate potential project risks, ensuring smooth delivery.  

• Collaborate effectively with multi-agency teams for streamlined project execution.  

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry-standard project tools, processes, and platforms. 

• Strategically schedule meetings to ensure comprehensive participation of key team members. 

• Oversee thorough review and approval processes prior to client engagement.  

• Initiate purchase orders (POs) if  for projects.  

• Collaborate closely with the resource manager and PMO Lead for efficient resource management. 

• Uphold professionalism, precision, and excellence across project documentation. 

Requirements: 

• Proven expertise as a Project Manager in a creative agency or similar setting.  

• Solid understanding of project management principles and methodologies.  

• Proficiency in effective project setup, budgeting, resource management, control, and reporting. 

• Experience with integrated accounts and understanding of global project dynamics.  

• Financial acumen for managing project budgets, monitoring financial status, and projecting resource allocation. 

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, essential for building relationships with diverse project teams.  

• Effective collaboration with stakeholders including account management, creatives, design, strategy, and production.  

• Strong organisational and time management abilities for managing multiple workstreams, schedules, and deliverables.  

• Proactive approach to identifying potential project risks and implementing mitigation strategies. 

• Familiarity with industry-standard project tools, processes, and platforms.  

• Experience in strategic meeting scheduling to ensure comprehensive team involvement.  

• Attention to detail and commitment to maintaining high-quality standards across project documentation and deliverables.  

• Solution-oriented mindset, particularly in challenging scenarios.  

• Adaptability to navigate change and innovation in a dynamic work environment.  

• Understanding of digital opportunities and evolving trends. 

How we help you Thrive:     

•  25 days annual leave + 1 Volunteer Day  

• Bupa Healthcare 

• Enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Shared Parental Leave 

• We have a Flexible Working Model with core working hours: 10am – 4pm 

• A 1.5:1 Matching Pension Structure 

• Wellbeing and Health: Up to £25.00 per month towards physical or online exercise class membership, Unmind membership, LifeWorks tool and annual eye tests and development budgets and Wellbeing incentives and activities throughout the year  

• Season Ticket Loan and Cycle to Work Scheme 

• Life Assurance