Delivery Manager

At AKQA we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful ideas, products and services. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design innovative brand campaigns, adaptive digital services and applications that capture the imagination, delivering impressive returns for our clients.

The resource team is at the epicentre of all projects, ensuring they’re delivered to the highest quality, on time, and that clients receive the greatest possible value from their investment. The Technical Delivery Manager is responsible for the planning, development and deployment of all media work streams and has overall responsibility for the deliverables of all workstreams.

As Resource Manager, you will proactively lead the studio’s internal talent pool and partner with the wider group to promote collaboration and efficiency.

Johannesburg-based, whilst frequently collaborating with our global Studios, you will enjoy working in a team of highly skilled people, all with strong opinions about various technologies, frameworks, and approaches. You will articulate your ideas to your colleagues effectively whilst also taking on board the ideas of others. You will thrive when faced with new challenges, view them as opportunities, and constantly look to improve client deliverables and internal workstreams. You will work in a progressive environment that fosters a meritocratic culture, surrounded by some of the brightest minds in their fields.

Role Requirements

• Able to assist with the resourcing and scoping for a project.
• Ability to recognise risk and plan to mitigate.
• Strive to learn new skills and stay abreast of technical developments, successfully applying them to work practices.
• Ability to select the most appropriate supplier for the required task.
• Ability and techniques to improve processes per project, client workstreams, and the whole department.
• Successfully deliver projects with large budgets, multiple resource requirements, and across platforms.
• Identify what success looks like for each deliverable, to ensure we achieve that as a team.
• Run and manage deliverables and tasking in daily scrum.
• Assist with resource requirements across teams and proactively assist the Operations Director and Project Managers in planning.
• Communicate effectively to all stakeholders, both verbally and in written formats.
• Work with leads to accurately estimate and agree scope of work according to the most appropriate model (e.g. fixed-price, capped time and materials, by project phase).
• Assist with defining and agreeing on the scope of work internally and ensure projects are delivered within this agreed scope.
• Proactively identify, manage and mitigate risks on a project, focusing on solutions.
• Liaise with project owners and department leads across the business to ensure the smooth running of projects. Match requests to skill sets for optimal resource use.
• Monitor work schedules and utilisation data.
• Continuously drive and develop processes and best practices within departments.
• Maintain internal documentation related to operational practices and processes.
  
  

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

• Able to build strong relationships and achieve results under potentially difficult circumstances.
• Proven ability to work well under pressure with a high degree of flexibility and fluidity. Self-motivated and comfortable working independently.
• Sharp attention to detail and passion for new technology and ways of working.
• Professional written and verbal communication.
• Broad understanding, prior experience working with Resource Management, and knowledge of a project lifecycle and process.
• Experience working within a Digital, Media, or Creative agency.
• An ability to identify urgent and future skill gaps within the teams and create a strategy accordingly.
• High level of administration and planning skills. Experience using Workbook, Monday.com, or a similar business system.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Being confident in taking initiatives and working independently.
• Problem solving and a passion for innovation and business strategy.
• Proven experience operating in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where constant and demanding change occurs.
• Constantly strive to improve AKQA delivery practices, processes, and procedures.
• Contribute to the ideation process and be proactive in proposing solutions to needs that others may not be aware of.
• We are looking for someone with a Can-Do attitude who can organise, structure, plan, and execute work at different organizational levels.
  
  

We believe great work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach including required in-office days. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

AKQA is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.