Lead Project Manager
Paper Giant, Australia

Paper Giant is a strategic design consultancy made up of creative and welcoming designers, researchers and strategists who seek to help organisations deliver better products, services and policy. Our shared belief is that better products, services and policy are ones that create a more just, equal and sustainable society.

We’re most known for our experience in design research, visual design, co-design and product strategy. We strive to create positive impact through work that considers the perspectives and lived experience of the people our projects effect.

We have offices in Naarm / Melbourne and on Ngunnawal country / Canberra and we strive to create flexibility to support you to do your best work wherever you are. We welcome people from diverse backgrounds and life experiences, and are an equal opportunity employer.

We’re looking for a Lead Project Manager to join our team. As a Lead Project Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of strategic design projects for clients in the government, not-for-profit, and private sectors. You will contribute to successful and profitable project outcomes, whilst ensuring client satisfaction and a positive working environment for our teams.

Our ideal candidate has strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills and is a confident and influential communicator. Knowledge of Human Centred Design and experience of applying a variety of project management methodologies on complex, medium-to-large scale projects is essential.

Practice and craft

• Ensure the successful delivery of complex research and design projects by managing resources to deliver to the agreed scope, budget and timeline
• Effectively and consistently communicate the project vision, objectives, risk, issues and status to clients, stakeholders and Paper Giant
• Educate clients and teams in various project management methodologies and draw on experience to optimise the project approach
• Work with the project team to define milestones and roadmaps for given projects and translate them into feasible and viable plans and requirements
• Schedule and communicate important events including internal project kick-off meetings, as well as client kick-off, showcases, and project retrospectives
• Lead projects’ research operations, including recruitment of research participants and workshop support
• Ensure all projects are delivered to our high level of quality
• Proactively identify and communicate emerging client, team, project scope, or practice issues

Governance

• Demonstrate high levels of commercial acumen and seek to understand business priorities as a basis for decision making
• Interpret contracts and provide feedback to the business on potential risks
• Ensure effective project governance activities are implemented and adhered to, including project communication, risk mitigation, and scope definition activities
• Manage changes to scope thoroughly and in accordance with the contract
• Ensure visibility and consistency of project information through setup and maintenance of projects in our online systems, including Google Drive, Harvest, Slack and Forecast

Managing client relationships

• Develop meaningful relationships with clients and stakeholders of all levels, and confidently facilitate discussions to negotiate scope, trade-offs, risk and budget
• Lead presentations to small and large groups confidently and convey ideas and information in a clear and interesting way
• Generate leads or nurture new business opportunities with input of business leaders
• Consider what value we provide to clients and tailor the project approach to deliver client value and successful outcomes
• Convince clients that they should work with us again by providing an excellent client experience

Ethics, purpose and care

• Be comfortable with the ambiguity of working in a trans-disciplinary way, be positive and willing to try new things to support your teammates
• Work to create an environment in which everybody's voices can be heard
• Create opportunities to contribute to the studio practice and culture

Requirements

• At least 5 years experience working in a Delivery Lead, Delivery Manager, Senior Project Manager or Senior Producer role;
• Experience in leading complex projects and managing budgets in excess of $500k;
• Experience using a variety of project management methodologies and are able draw on this knowledge to recommend the best approach for your project and client;
• Experience using online collaboration tools such as Miro and

Job Rewards and Benefits