Experiential Project Manager - Downstream

Downstream is looking for a Project Manager to work with our team of designers, strategists and developers. You will be an enthusiastic problem solver with a thirst for understanding. An analytical mind and quick thinking in a fast-paced environment are essential. Confidence in your ability, experience, skills and a ‘take-the-lead’ attitude make you the perfect candidate.

Budget, schedule and quality assurance are blended responsibilities. The Project Manager partners with account leads to ensure that a well-defined Statement of Work (SOW), project plan and working budgets and resources are place prior to work starting. Project Managers are enthusiastic problem solvers and thrive on being engaged at all levels of the project.

Essential Duties

• Strategic thinking to create and implement project plans designed to meet project delivery
• Ability to accurately budget and schedule projects to a defined SOW
• Create comprehensive project plans and provide a clear roadmap for workflow and resourcing
• Balance project financial goals as it relates to budget; labor hours, costs and expenses along with delivering innovative and high-quality work
• Drive projects and 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, providing input on scope, budget, schedule, assumptions and dependencies

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. Regularly review project budgets and costs. 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.

Work Experience & Education

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant industry experience in architectural project management or in an agency environment specializing in at least one of the following areas; construction management, environmental/interior design, content production or software development.
• 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