Resource Manager

• Act as the primary point of contact for all resource requests and day-to-day resourcing needs.
• Input and maintain all project bookings, approved absences, and resource allocations in the system.
• Match resource requests to skill sets, considering individual capabilities and career goals.
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of team skillsets, bandwidth, and availability across all departments.

• Share and communicate capacity and resourcing needs across the AKQA and broader WPP network, especially within European studios.
• Prepare for and lead weekly resourcing meetings with Project Leads and Department Leads, identifying current and upcoming needs, risks, and potential conflicts.
• Contribute meaningfully to resourcing discussions, facilitating problem-solving and effective decision-making.

• Work with Project Leads, Client Services, and Department Leads to maintain a 2-month forecast of resource demand and staffing needs.
• Identify capacity gaps and skill shortages early, proposing solutions to ensure project needs are met.
• Handle all queries related to timing, allocation, and prioritisation of resources, resolving overlaps or bottlenecks with the support of Department Leads.

• Identify freelance requirements in collaboration with team leads.
• Source, vet, and propose freelance talent to Department Leads for approval.
• Manage the end-to-end freelance process; from onboarding and contracts to invoice approvals and performance feedback.
• Build and nurture a strong network of freelance contacts to support project needs.

• Continuously assess and improve resourcing processes and best practices.
• Follow up on weekly timesheet completion and ensure accurate data entry.
• Report on resource plans, utilisation forecasts, and freelance costs.

• Present effective Operations point-of-view and recommendations to improve and enhance the studio's ways of working in collaboration with Delivery..
• Liaise with the Delivery team to provide Leadership with detailed weekly reports on program burn and profitability.
• Identify and evaluate capacity constraints and opportunities within the organisation (bandwidth and burnout), making data-driven recommendations for resource allocations and utilisation optimization.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and guidelines.

• Proven experience in operations, traffic, or resource management within a fast-paced digital or creative agency environment.
• Strong understanding of project lifecycles, creative workflows, and delivery processes.
• Demonstrated ability to forecast, plan capacity, and identify both short- and long-term resourcing needs or skill gaps, developing and implementing effective strategies to address them.
• Proficient in using resource management tools such as Workbook or similar systems, with strong reporting, planning, and administrative capabilities.
• Exceptionally organised and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple complex workstreams and shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivated and proactive, taking initiative and working independently while remaining aligned with team and business objectives.
• Committed to continuous improvement, with a process-driven mindset and a proven ability to refine workflows and enhance operational efficiency.
• Capable of balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution, maintaining both a high-level overview and attention to critical detail.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to present ideas clearly, influence stakeholders, and collaborate across disciplines.
• Skilled in negotiation and conflict resolution, with a calm, empathetic approach to managing competing priorities and resolving tensions constructively.
• Strong team orientation, with a focus on aligning individual capabilities and aspirations with project needs and business goals.

AKQA