Senior Project Manager

Some project managers keep the plates spinning. This role needs someone who teaches everyone else how to spin them.

My client is a creative gifting and merchandise agency behind some of the most talked-about brand moments of the past few years. They produce bespoke, story-led gifts for household-name entertainment, tech and luxury brands. They’ve recently reshaped the business around their corporate offering, built a dedicated Project Management function, and are growing internationally. They now need a senior leader to anchor that team.

Why this role matters

The project team is looking for a senior voice: someone with the presence to steady things when a brief changes overnight, the credibility to push back on a supplier or a stakeholder, and the patience and skill to bring people on with them. You’ll line manage two Project Coordinators and help raise the standard across the wider team. That means running proper 1-1s, setting clear expectations, coaching, and turning good habits into how the team works.

You’ll still be hands-on. You’ll own a busy, varied portfolio of high-value custom projects from first idea through sampling and production to delivery. No two briefs look alike, and plenty land with very little notice.

What we’re looking for

• Proven people leadership. You’ve managed and developed a team, and people who’ve worked for you would say you made them better.
• Gravitas. You’re calm under pressure, trusted by senior stakeholders and clients, and comfortable being the person others turn to when things wobble.
• Custom production know-how. You’ve run bespoke product projects end to end and know where they tend to go wrong.
• Merchandise or gifting background (ideal). Creative agency, promotional products, brand merch or experiential production would all translate well.
• Far East manufacturing experience is a real plus but not essential. If you’ve worked with overseas factories on sampling and production, tell us about it.
• A positive, solutions-first attitude. You’re flexible, energetic and happy when the plan changes.

What’s in it for you

• Line management and a genuine say in shaping a newly formed function
• Work on projects for brands people actually get excited about
• A creative, entrepreneurial business with international growth plans
• Hybrid working with a day at home each week, plus two weeks fully remote a year
• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, birthday leave, sabbatical leave, enhanced parental leave, Vitality, an Art Pass, cycle-to-work schemes and more

Please note, this role requires you in the office 4 days a week.

The client is moving quickly, with first-stage interviews available straight away. If you’re a senior PM who loves leading a team as much as delivering the work, I’d love to hear from you. Apply here or drop me a message for a confidential chat.