Project Manager / Project Assistant, APAC (with Media Industry & Japan Focus)

About Us

The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading business news organizations, recognized internationally for its authority, integrity, and accuracy. The FT has a record paying readership of one million, three-quarters of which are digital subscriptions. It is part of Nikkei Inc., which provides a broad range of information, news, and services for the global business community.

We have offices in more than 35 cities, including London, New York, Hong Kong, Beijing, Manila, Sofia, San Francisco, and Tokyo.

Join us and find an inclusive and fast-paced environment with unique opportunities to support every step of your career. Learn more about the FT, including announcements and career opportunities, at aboutus.ft.com.

The FT provides a broad range of essential services, including news, comment, data and analysis, to the growing audience of internationally business minded people.

Our commercial division is responsible for the circulation and subscription business (print and digital) and advertising revenues of the FT, as well as operations, production and design.

Job Purpose

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing commercial content and marketing solutions across a number of channels, as well as creating high-value relationships with internal and external clients. You will ensure excellence in delivery for all aspects of a campaign including stakeholder management, content creation, design and client servicing. 

Project Managers are intrinsic to the sales process, not only protecting revenue but key to securing future revenues. The Project Manager will be responsible for consulting at pitch stage, checking the feasibility of projects, ensuring processes and procedures are in place in order to deliver on time and to budget, evolving campaigns where necessary and delivering a post-campaign analysis. Ensuring the client’s needs are at the heart of this process is paramount.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a Global Project Management team in London, New York, Singapore and Japan.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Deliver outstanding client service on every campaign under your management, key point of contact for all stakeholders and be a trusted partner to clients and agencies.

• Build strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

• Advise and consult on key areas of expertise, ensure appropriate processes and procedures are in place internally so projects run on time and to budget to maximise profit and client service.

• Manage the production and delivery of branded content and partnership publishing campaigns. This includes:

  • Working with the APAC ad sales team and the Content Director at the point of pitch/proposal to answer advertiser/agency briefs with innovative ideas for content execution.

  • Completing a full suite of documentation for each project: including scope of work, cost estimate, timelines and contracts

  • Working with the Content Director to brief all internal and external stakeholders: including editorial, marketing, design, (copy)writers, photographers, advertising operations and other third party providers

  • Briefing all internal and external stakeholders: including editorial, marketing, design, copywriters, advertising operations and third-party providers

  • Working with FT editorial staff (if applicable) and external content providers to produce content

  • Work with tech providers to produce the micro-site destinations

  • Manage a P&L, bringing projects in on time and on budget.

  • Work with Finance to process payments to third party providers with accurate project codes in a timely manner

  • Be kept updated on FT's content campaign term sheets. Manage updates/changes and keep internal stakeholders abreast.

• Work closely with the Global Client Service team to ensure efficient working practices.

• This position requires travels for content production for interviews, photo or video shoots including location hunting and for meetings with clients

• Be flexible and adaptive to new technologies and requirements as the team’s activities evolve into new spaces.

• Work closely with Project Directors and GPMD to ensure efficient working practices.

Key Skills and Experience:

• Languages: Japanese and English (both business level or above)

• Minimum 4 years of experience in managing complex clients with multiple touch points

• Aptitude for problem solving, influencing and motivation

• A meticulous attention to detail with the ability to pre-empt problems

• A good communicator with the ability to build strong working relationships with stakeholders at all levels of the business

• Flexible, organised and hardworking, proven ability of working to deadlines under pressure

• An understanding of the current media landscape and an on-going commitment to keeping abreast of new innovations

• Excellent understanding of agency and client roles and responsibilities, in order to be sympathetic to their pressures and objectives

Personal Qualities:

• Can do attitude, willingness to deliver highest level of service to clients

• Results-driven, high-performing, high-quality work attitude

• Organised, with faultless attention to detail and an aptitude for independent time management

• A collaborative nature with the ability to work within and lead a multicultural team

• A self-starter, entrepreneurial individual, able to demonstrate past success in managing innovative projects that meet client needs and generate strong profit.

• Highly organised, numerate and with a high level of attention to detail.

• Excellent communicator, presenter and listener

• Accountable, resilient and action orientated.

• Candidate with lesser experiences will be considered the title of Project Assistant, APAC 

What’s in it for you? Our Benefits

Our benefits vary depending on location, but we are committed to providing best in class perks across all our offices as well as an inclusive environment to develop your career. Examples of our benefits include; generous annual leave allowances, flexible working (including working from home), medical cover, enhanced maternity & paternity packages, subsidised gym memberships and Giving Back opportunities. Full details of our benefits can be found here.

 Further Information

The FT is committed to providing an inclusive working environment for all. We are an equal opportunities employer who seeks to recruit and appoint the best talent regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We also promote flexible working and will consider specific requests around flexibility for all roles where it can be accommodated. Please let us know if you require any adjustments as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements, or have any questions, please contact a member of our HR team who will be happy to help. 

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