At AKQA (part of WPP) we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful ideas, products and services. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive digital services and applications that capture the imagination, delivering impressive returns for our clients.
We are seeking an experienced Freelance Program Manager to support one of the most recognized and trusted names in financial services, a brand with deep roots in helping people plan, protect, and secure their futures. We are doing transformative digital product work with this client, shaping the ways that millions of people engage with their financial lives. This is a meaningful, high-visibility engagement where strong program leadership and delivery discipline have a direct impact on real people at pivotal moments. This is a remote freelance role running from June 29 through September 31, 2026.
- Proven experience leading large-scale digital programs from strategy through creative development and production, across multiple channels and workstreams
- Demonstrated ability to manage multi-project portfolios with overlapping schedules, budgets, and stakeholder groups
- Experience navigating senior client relationships, serving as a strategic partner and trusted advisor rather than a task manager
- Deep understanding of agency operations and delivery practices, including scope management, resourcing, and financial stewardship
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills; able to bring clarity to ambiguity and order to complex engagements
- Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, fostering productive dialogue across internal teams, partners, and client organizations
- Experience with Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid delivery methods, adapting process to the needs of each engagement
- Proficiency with Jira, Confluence, Smartsheet, and other project management tools
- Comfortable facilitating discussions with senior stakeholders and leading cross-functional teams that may include strategy, UX, design, technology, and media disciplines
- Passion for creating conditions that elevate creativity, quality, and collaboration
QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS
- A proactive, hands-on leader who brings both strategic perspective and operational excellence
- Comfortable in fast-paced, high-stakes environments; maintains composure and clarity under pressure
- Adept at building trusted relationships, communicating candidly, and championing the best interests of both the client and AKQA team
- Empathetic, inclusive, and collaborative, promoting a team-first mindset across all partners
- Thoughtful in approach and resilient in execution, with a continuous improvement mindset
- Enthusiastic about digital innovation and the ways creativity and technology intersect to drive meaningful results
- Strong track record managing digital product and services work, with additional exposure to brand and campaign delivery a plus
- Proven ability to manage multiple workstreams, budgets, and stakeholders simultaneously
- 5+ years of experience in a program management or delivery leadership role within a creative, digital, or integrated agency environment
- A passion for shaping and delivering exceptional work that moves people and businesses forward
Location & Commitment
- Either based in Seattle, WA or ability to travel to Seattle, WA on a regular cadence
- June 29, 2026 through September 31, 2026
- $3,000- $4,000 per week
- 40 hours/week
- Core working hours are PST
We believe great work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach including required in-office days. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.
AKQA is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.
About WPP
WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.
Skills Required
- Proven experience leading large-scale digital programs from strategy through creative development and production across multiple channels
- Experience managing multi-project portfolios with overlapping schedules, budgets, and stakeholder groups
- Experience navigating senior client relationships as a strategic partner and trusted advisor
- Deep understanding of agency operations and delivery practices including scope management, resourcing, and financial stewardship
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills; able to bring clarity to ambiguity
- Exceptional communication and collaboration skills working across internal teams, partners, and client organizations
- Experience with Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid delivery methods
- Proficiency with Jira, Confluence, and Smartsheet
- Comfort facilitating discussions with senior stakeholders and leading cross-functional teams (strategy, UX, design, technology, media)
- 5+ years of program management or delivery leadership within a creative, digital, or integrated agency environment
- Exposure to brand and campaign delivery
- Either based in Seattle, WA or ability to travel to Seattle, WA on a regular cadence
AKQA Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about AKQA and has not been reviewed or approved by AKQA.
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Parental & Family Support — Policies include fully paid parental leave for all parents, adoption support, and family leave for caregiving needs. Additional supports such as subsidized backup childcare and regional enhancements reinforce family care.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple plan options with full preventive care, mental‑health resources, and dental and vision coverage. Some regions provide 24/7 virtual doctor access and supplementary healthcare budgets for services not covered by insurance.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time‑away provisions include generous paid holidays with increases over tenure and a companywide year‑end closure. Special, study, and event‑based leave (e.g., weddings, moving) broaden the range of available time off.
AKQA Insights
What We Do
The imaginative application of art and science. AKQA is a design and communications company that employs 2,200 professionals in 29 studios across five continents. Awarded two Cannes Lion Grand Prix’s in 2019, and recently named by Gartner and Forrester as one of the world’s leading experience design and innovation agencies.
