Lead Project Manager in Manchester

Ride Shotgun is a bit different. Not only are we one of the fastest growing strategic brand, activation and production agencies in the UK but we think big, go big creatively and deliver big in production to deliver fully joined-up brand journeys for clients of all shapes and sizes. We are seeking an experienced Lead Project Manager to take full ownership of all projects primarily for a single, large-scale client. This is a senior, CGI- and technology-led role, responsible for ensuring projects are scoped, resourced, and delivered to a consistently high standard across multiple workstreams.

Acting as the central point of accountability, the role will sit above day-to-day project management, providing oversight, escalation, and strategic direction across all client projects. You will work closely with client stakeholders and internal delivery teams to ensure timelines, budgets, and quality expectations are met, while proactively identifying and mitigating risks. A strong understanding of CGI pipelines, technical workflows, and emerging AI-enabled processes is essential to successfully manage complexity, dependencies, and scale.

Responsibilities

• Project Leadership & Oversight
  • Hold overarching responsibility for the successful delivery of all projects for the assigned client.
  • Act as the escalation point for Project Managers and Producers, resolving issues around scope, timing, resourcing, and budget.
  • Maintain a forward-looking view across early-stage, in-flight, and upcoming projects, identifying risks and opportunities well in advance.
  • Ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to agreed quality standards.
• Client & Stakeholder Management
  • Serve as a senior, client-facing lead, liaising directly with key stakeholders and managing expectations throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Attend client site visits as required, while remaining primarily focused on internal delivery excellence.
  • Provide regular client status updates, highlighting progress, risks, mitigation plans, and upcoming milestones.
• CGI, Tech & AI Delivery Expertise
  • Apply strong knowledge of CGI production pipelines, technical processes, and AI-enabled workflows to accurately assess timings, dependencies, and delivery approaches.
  • Advise internal teams and clients on efficient ways of working, technical feasibility, and process optimisation.
  • Ensure technical complexity is appropriately reflected in scoping, resourcing, and scheduling.
• Risk, Capacity & Resource Management
  • Take an overarching view of the client’s total workload and forecasted pipeline to proactively identify bottlenecks and pinch points.
  • Work closely with Resource Management, Production, Studio, and Post teams to ensure appropriate Project Managers and Producers are assigned across all work.
  • Balance competing priorities across multiple projects to minimise clashes and delivery risk.
• Brief Refinement & Scoping
  • Partner with Client Services to refine and shape client briefs, ensuring requirements are clearly defined and technically viable.
  • Support the gathering of relevant information at brief stage to reduce ambiguity and downstream risk.
  • Lead early-stage scoping across multiple projects, providing guidance on costs, timings, resourcing models, and recommended ways of working.

Skills and Experience

• Proven experience in a senior project or production management role within CGI, tech-led, or digital production environments.
• Strong understanding of CGI workflows, technical pipelines, and AI-driven production processes.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-project client accounts with confidence and authority.
• Excellent client stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to challenge constructively.
• Highly organised, proactive, and comfortable operating with a wide, strategic view.

LOCATION AND WORKING HOURS

You will be based from London or our Manchester office, Monday – Friday, 9am – 5.30pm. This role is open to hybrid working. (London client meeting attendance required)

WHAT KIND OF PERSON ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

We expect all our team members to share the same behaviour and culture code as Ride Shotgun.

WE MAKE IT HAPPEN

• We own it– we want to feel proud of the work we do every day. So, we step up, we crack on and we take responsibility.
• We are on it– “that’ll do”, won’t do. We expect a lot more of ourselves and each other.

WE RIDE AS ONE

• No drama– we’re all in this together. We look out for, and after, each other.
• Know-how– we work as one team, recognising and respecting each other’s skills and capabilities.

QUESTION EVERYTHING

• Be curious and creative– curiosity is our superpower.
• Have guts and glory –we’re fearless in challenging the accepted norms.

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

The opportunity to make a real impact and be instrumental in shaping the future of a new, ambitious, and exciting agency. Based in London or Manchester you’ll work with some of the world’s best brands and the region’s best talent to produce award winning creative work.

In addition, we offer a competitive salary and additional benefits including:

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Your birthday off
• Additional holidays through salary sacrifice
• Childcare salary sacrifice
• Company Sick Pay
• Cycle to work scheme
• Tech & Home Scheme
• Pension contribution
• Westfield health cash plan
• Profit share scheme
• Discounts portal with access to thousands of retailers

DOES THIS SOUND GOOD TO YOU?

Applicants should be within commuting distance of the office location. Please apply via our online application portal. No agencies please.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES STATEMENT

Ride Shotgun is committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment. All job applicants will receive equal treatment regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation (Protected Characteristics).