Hi, we’re Bunsen. We do creative work for science companies who are solving some of the toughest problems on the planet. Mostly, we help these folks be understood so that they can achieve their most ambitious goals. We’re creators who need the collaborative support of a client-facing project operations pro. Maybe that’s you?
Job description
As a Project Manager, you’re the glue: the main point of contact for our clients and the coordinator of our in-house team. Once our projects are signed, you are the lynchpin to make sure they are delivered smoothly — on time, on budget, and with high quality. You don't wait for things to come to you — you bring clarity, next steps, and accountability to every client relationship.
When it comes to managing client expectations, you’ll bring a sense of ease by always looking for ways to increase clarity and good feels while keeping scope and budget in line. You’ll be reporting back on the progress of daily and weekly tasks so everyone understands what’s happening. The internal team you’ll support sometimes need reminders and taps on the shoulder because they’re creatives and hands-on makers. Everyone at Bunsen looks forward to your playing a much-needed role by supporting the team to be their best selves — including blocking distractions when necessary. You’ll have support from us. We’ll be your biggest fans.
Role
Project Support
Own the overall project schedule both internally and externally and have tools up your sleeve to ensure that we consistently share this with our clients so they are always aware of where we are at
The main point of contact for our clients, providing proactive updates and timely responses and ensuring there is never a surprise on their end as to what we are working on and where we are at in the process.
Create space for the creative and technical team to do their best work by fielding and coordinating client communication.
Providing weekly status reports which include any risks or blockers the team is encountering and working to mitigate against these in a proactive manner before a thing becomes a thing
Ensure the Bunsen team is always aware of what is on deck on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. You are the go-to person for all things project process related.
Ability to succinctly capture client feedback and turn it into actionable tasks for the Bunsen team
Driver of approvals. Ensuring clients know when approvals are needed and the repercussions (budget or scope) of not hitting milestones
Understand and own project budgets. You understand the margins we are trying to hit and ensure that the right people are in place at the right time so that we are able to grow as a business against our project work
Are able to surface risks to a project early and often with leadership so that we can proactively react to situations before a client even knows a situation exists ;)
Manage retainer projects: implementing and managing systems for intake, scoping, and delivery; tracking and projecting retainer usage; proactively coordinating with clients to surface needs
Using and improving PM tools, workflows, and templates at the project level; identifying gaps, risks, and opportunities to improve project management infrastructure and sharing recommendations with the team
Overall
Seeing our work should be the best part of our client’s day. This role should be about making our clients feel comfortable, excited, and confident that they are in great hands at Bunsen, while keeping the work on track and running smoothly
Build strong and genuine relationships with our clients, maintaining regular contact to keep them updated on overall project progress, highlighting any potential delays or scope creep so that a solution can be agreed upon mutually
Experience
2-4 years in an agency environment
Experience working hands-on on multiple concurrent projects and/or client relationships
Understanding of latest technology, principles, and approaches to responsive design, copywriting, info architecture, design principles, and web development at a high level, and have good taste! (kidding, not kidding)
Ability to successfully scope and estimate digital products (such as websites and decks)
Appreciation for great design and its ability to propel companies forward. Bonus points if you love science and the possibility it brings the world.
Comfortable with project and company financials — understand how to think about project profitability and how PM decisionmaking affects our margins
Personal qualities: Sincerity in and appreciation for self and others. Excellent communication skills — including sharing your own needs out loud. Emotional intelligence and empathy is clutch. Skillful expectation management, and great attention to detail are essential. Negotiation skills, staying adaptable, organized, curious, and an overall willingness to learn new things are table stakes. A great sense of humor or even humour if you are inclined toward English dry wit would fit real well.
Opportunity
Time: Open to full-time and part-time opportunities. We are remote-first but require ~5 hours overlap with EST.
Compensation: We welcome applicants from a range of geographies; compensation determined based on experience and location.
Think this might be you?
Please send your resume as well as your current bandwidth and availability to start work. Consider highlighting 2-3 past projects you feel align to our work (hint: delivery of digital projects dealing with complex subject matter).
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