A Day in the Life of a Project Manager

Introduction

• Presenter: Jillian
• Role: Project Manager at RPM, an agency focused on broadband clients in advertising.
• Experience: Several years in the field, found RPM to be the most enjoyable workplace.

Work Environment

• Policy: Hybrid work-from-home (WFH) policy allowing flexibility between home and office.
• Office Visits: Goes to office for important tasks requiring in-person interaction.
• WFH: Works from home in comfortable attire when in-person presence isn’t required.

Daily Routine

• Starting the Day:
  • Opens applications: email, calendar, project management software (monday.com).
  • Checks for any urgent overnight communications.
  • Plans and prioritizes daily tasks.
• Morning Activities:
  • Primarily spent on Zoom calls and desk work.
  • First meeting with Ashley, account executive, to discuss project priorities (e.g., Hamilton project).
• Living Space:
  • Ensures separation of work and living areas to enhance productivity.

Project Management Tools

• Software Used: monday.com (web-based and customizable).
  • Amenable for designers to upload files.
  • Eases routing tasks and communication with team members (art directors, copywriters, proofreaders).

Work Tasks

• Routing Projects:
  • Ensures project alignment with briefs.
  • Coordinates with team members for approvals and feedback.
• Team Collaboration:
  • Works with multiple teams: finance, accounts, creative, etc.
• Favorite Aspect:
  • Interaction with diverse creative teams.
  • Satisfaction from seeing completed projects in public spaces (e.g., billboards in Times Square).

Midday Activities

• Office Work: Commutes to the office and catches up on emails and tasks.
• Afternoon Tasks:
  • Continues routing projects.
  • Example: Ensuring consistency between bus side and billboard creatives for Hamilton Tour.

Onboarding New PMs

• Mentorship Role: Helps train new project managers.
• Example Training: Guides new PM (Abby) through the email system used for client communications.
  • Email campaigns for recent ticket purchasers and reminders for canceled shows.

End of Day

• End-of-day Tasks:
  • Final email checks for approvals and updates.
  • Updates project statuses in management software.
  • Reviews Slack for any last-minute messages.
• Site Visit: Visits Phantom of the Opera theater to confirm and photograph new creative installations.

Career Advice for Aspiring PMs

• Essential Skills: Organization, communication, stamina, and ability to adapt.
• Recommendation: Learn tools and techniques for effective project management.

Closing

• Tips: Embrace fast-paced work environment, develop resilience.
• Encouragement: Importance of communication and organizational skills for successful project management.