Resource Manager

At AKQA, 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.

Working alongside Department Leads, the Resource Manager is responsible for overseeing the resource pool for AKQA Amsterdam across permanent, freelance and outsourced partner staff, ensuring it aligns with current and future client needs achieving high utilisation across the team.

You will partner with Client Services and Project Management to effectively plan and allocate talent, shaping teams that respond to project demands while supporting the growth and development of individuals. You’ll play a central role in ensuring efficient and proactive resource planning, coordinating freelance needs, and managing team capacity across international projects.

Located on the Nieuwe Herengracht in central Amsterdam, you will also have access to our diverse network of specialists by collaborating across our European, Middle East and South African studios. You will work in an environment which fosters a meritocratic culture and encourages ownership, and you will be surrounded by some of the brightest minds in their fields. 

ROLE REQUIREMENTS 

• Resource Management & Allocation: 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.
• 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.
• Forecasting & Planning: work with Project Leads, Client Services, and Department Leads to maintain a 2-month forecast of resource demand and staffing needs.
• Handle all queries related to timing, allocation, skill shortages and prioritisation of resources, resolving overlaps or bottlenecks with the support of Department Leads.
• Freelancer Coordination: Identify freelance requirements in collaboration with team leads, source and vet freelance talent alongside managing the booking process.
• Process & Reporting: continuously assess and improve resourcing processes and best practices.
• Follow up on weekly timesheet completion and ensure accurate data entry, and work with leadership to report on resource plans, utilisation forecasts, and freelance costs.

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

• 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, with the ability to interpret briefs, identify dependencies, anticipate risks, and ensure projects are staffed appropriately to meet client expectations.
• 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.
• Adaptable and resilient, comfortable navigating ambiguity and change while maintaining clarity, focus, and momentum under pressure.

Explore our extensive range of benefits here.