Millard Brown Project Manager Job in Kenya

Vacancy: Project Manager

 
Background: At Millward Brown, we’re passionate about helping clients grow great brands. We’re experts in advertising, marketing communications, media, digital and brand equity research, and we work with 90% of the world’s leading brands. 

Our team includes some of the most talented market researchers, consultants, storytellers and neuroscience experts in the industry. 

With offices in 56 countries, we understand the importance of both a global and local focus – and we understand consumers.
 

Today, many brands are a company's most valuable asset. We help our clients manage their brands to drive financial growth and wealth creation for your organization.
 

Job Purpose: Located in our Kenya office, and reporting to the Head of Project Management, the Project Manager takes overall responsibility for the efficient delivery of each stage of a research project within Millward Brown East Africa. 

He/She is responsible for communication with Client Service and Operations (Field, Data Processing, Field suppliers). 

The role involves ownership of project budgets and schedules and ensuring timely delivery to Client Service according to the agreed project specification.

He/She will actively seek and communicate ways to improve project performance at all times. When problems occur the Project Manager should consider and recommend solutions when communicating with Client Service and other departments.

Key Responsibilities

• Advising and liaising on all project costing;
• Assist with and coordinate sample design of projects;
• Job specification checking;
• Advising on practicality of study in Field – PAPI Vs CAPI;
• Advising, organising and checking of all materials to be used in Field prior to printing (design, layout etc…);
• Job commissioning to Field suppliers;
• Prepare briefing instructions for all projects;
• Collate and advise on project progress in Field;
• Project planning - setting up and overseeing project schedule from commissioning to data delivery;
• Arrange pilots if need be and provide Client Service with feedback
• Manage all project coordination on pre field aspects with Client Service, including daily interaction and communication functions;
• Liaison with Stakeholders throughout project – Field, Data Processing and Client Service;
• Liaison with external suppliers;
• Specification management & re-budgeting where appropriate;
• Financial management of project;
• Formal performance and financial review of each completed project;
• Manage large & more complicated projects;
• Co-ordinate wider teams when managing very large projects;
• Line management responsibilities.

Detail of Project Management Tasks
 

Estimation

• Receive brief from Client Service, confirm receipt and agree delivery timings;
• Review brief from Client Service, clarifying and suggesting improvements to design where appropriate;
• Co-ordinate estimation across Operations departments and suppliers - Field & Data Processing;
• Source quotes from external suppliers where appropriate;
• Review final consolidated teams’ Operations cost;
• Communicate estimates to Client Service , including advice on timings and capacity.

Job set up (Specification checking, Job commissioning, Project planning, Job
scheduling)

• Review project costing with estimator;
• Red flag project where appropriate;
• Re-negotiate with researcher/suppliers if booking differs from estimate
• Commission project with MBEA Finance;
• Book internal fieldwork;
• Commission with external suppliers
• Organise and chair Project Planning Meeting, confirm project team;
• Frequency & format of updates to be agreed at project planning meeting;
• Confirm final project timeline;
• Review questionnaire before going to field;
• Review script before field work;
• Organise & check translations;
• Prepare field documents as appropriate;
• Source product / prompt materials where appropriate;
• Arrange for sample delivery / purchase;
• Ensure adherence of local quality standards where appropriate.

Fieldwork management & job monitoring

• On-going monitoring of fieldwork progress;
• Liaison with internal / external fieldwork suppliers
• Progress reporting to Client Service as agreed at project planning meeting;
• Taking corrective action & troubleshooting where appropriate;
• Assessing financial position and communicating to Client Service;
• Rescheduling and communicating to Client Service where appropriate;
• Re-budgeting where appropriate and communicating with Client Service;
• Regular re-forecasting of job costs to Finance and Client Service.

Analysis

• Monitor progress though Data Processing – keep Client Service informed of any changes to schedule.

Performance review

• Review project & document;
• Review actual costs vs. budget, document & explain variances;
• Identify opportunities for improvement.

Management responsibilities

• Train & support junior team members;
• Accompany junior team members to meetings;
• Review and authorise junior team members’ work;
• Help manage workloads of direct reports and assist team leader in resource management;
• Conduct formal performance reviews;
• Set, track and manage objectives for direct reports;
• Deputise for team leaders in their absence.

Key performance measures

• Knowledge of research methodologies and sampling;
• Customer Focus – Internal and External;
• Accurate set up of projects;
• Finance Management – costings;
• Geographic Allocation.

Key dimensions of the job

• Ultimately responsible for the smooth costing and implementation of projects under your control;
• To build and sustain key operational processes and systems to ensure the smooth running of activities;
• Ensure compliance in relation to MSRA code of conduct;
• Build relationships with field force, operations, despatch and suppliers;
• Report submitted accurately and timeously;
• Queries actioned within 24 hours;
• Internal controls implemented and maintained;
• Analytical skills;
• To work in partnership with Field, Data Processing/Client services to ensure necessary business requirements are being met;
• MB expects all employees to adhere to the requirements of our quality management system which is certified to ISO20252.

Minimum Qualifications/Work Experience

• Previous experience of:

1. Project costing / timings / questionnaire design and sampling
2. Exposure to fieldwork systems

• Knowledge of the MSRA code of conduct;
• Minimum 5 years experience working in a Project Management role or Field department;
• Hands on knowledge of managing multiple projects across Africa;
• Excellent Numeric skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Above average communication skills both verbal and written;
• Post college qualification would be advantageous;
• Project coordination and management skills would be advantageous;
• Experience working with CAPI/CATI/PDA would be advantageous;
• Valid travel identification documents/passport.

Personal/Behavioural Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Confident in giving instructions/advising others;
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in working (proof reading and numbers);
• Highly organised;
• Management of own self development;
• Highly motivated;
• Able to consult and share with others;
• Ability to work independently and within a team;
• View difficulties as challenges, retain optimism despite setbacks;
• Take ownership of problems and actions;
• Receptive to new ideas and ways of doing things;
• Common sense;
• Integrity and high ethical standards;
• Able to drive change through the business.

Next Steps
 

If you meet the criteria for this position, please send your application to Clare.Mulama@Millwardbrown.com