Job Description

Are you a visionary leader ready to drive forward innovative projects in either Manchester or London? We are seeking a dynamic Project Director to oversee and shape the success of our exciting initiatives. If you have a knack for strategic planning and a passion for delivering impactful results, this role could be your next big opportunity. Salary commensurate with experience. Join us and make a real difference!

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’re looking for a Project Director to take end-to-end ownership of a large, complex production portfolio for a single, strategically important European retail client.

You’ll be accountable for project delivery, quality, timelines, and commercial performance across multiple overlapping workstreams, operating above day-to-day project management and acting as the senior delivery authority for the account.

Responsibilities

What You’ll Own

• Full accountability for all projects on the account, from scoping through to final delivery.
• Governance and sign-off of SOWs, budgets, and delivery plans.
• Senior escalation point for project risk, scope change, resourcing, and delivery decisions.
• Portfolio-level oversight across live, upcoming, and forecasted projects.
• Client expectation-setting across scope, timelines, cost, and technical feasibility.
• Senior client leadership across status, risk, and planning discussions.
• Identification of peak production periods and mitigation planning with internal teams.

Client & Project Leadership

• Act as the trusted senior client lead for project delivery.
• Partner closely with Client Partner and Account Director to support long-term account success.
• Lead project retrospectives and drive continuous improvement at project and portfolio level.
• Represent delivery with authority during periods of complexity or pressure.

CGI, Technical & AI Expertise

• Strong understanding of CGI pipelines and complex technical workflows.
• Ability to assess feasibility, risk, and delivery approaches at scale.
• Experience integrating AI-enabled production processes into project planning and execution.
• Senior, production-agnostic advisor on optimisation and future-facing delivery models aligning with the client’s Gen-AI strategy and future content roadmap.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Proven experience in a senior project leadership role (Project Director / Lead PM on major accounts).
• Track record managing large-scale, multi-project client portfolios.
• Confident senior stakeholder manager with strong commercial judgement.
• Comfortable operating with a portfolio-level, strategic view rather than day-to-day PMing.

LOCATION AND WORKING HOURS

This role will be based from either our Manchester or London office, 9am – 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. The role is open to hybrid working. There will be a requirement to travel to the client site.

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, check them out below!

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. And when we do that, our infectious and genuine passion for our work shines through.
• We are on it – “that’ll do”, won’t do. We expect a lot more of ourselves and each other. As a result we’re a proactive, driven bunch with a “can do” attitude, who love nothing more than spotting a problem and sorting it.

WE RIDE AS ONE

• No drama – we’re all in this together. We look out for, and after, each other. No questions asked. We understand each other and respect each other. We work brilliantly together. No drama. No egos. Nobody being a dick. I’ve got your back, you’ve got mine.
• Know-how – we work as one team, recognising and respecting each other’s skills and capabilities. We trust each other and we know there’s always someone in the team that will know the answer. It’s in our nature to collaborate because we know that when we work together, amazing things happen.

QUESTION EVERYTHING

• Be curious and creative – curiosity is our superpower. It drives us to dig deeper. To look at challenges from every angle using left and right brain thinking. Leave no stone unturned. There might be an idea or insight under it.
• Have guts and glory – we’re fearless in challenging the accepted norms. Brave enough to do things differently. To take risks and try new things. And if that means challenging clients, ourselves and each other…So be it.

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 Manchester or London, 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.
• Company Sick Pay.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Tech & Home Scheme.
• Pension contribution.
• Westfield health cash plan.
• Childcare salary sacrifice.
• 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.

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).