Project Manager - Automotive & Production (9-12 Month Fixed-Term Contract)

Job Title: Project Manager – Automotive & Production (9-12 Month Fixed-Term Contract) Location: London and Brackley – Hybrid (plus travel as required) We are Strata! Imagine being part of a fast and exciting brand experience agency whose clients include specialists in new technology, creators of some of the most stunning electric vehicles on the planet, financial institutions, and global leaders in pharmaceutical solutions. As an agency, we elevate these brands and make them heard through immersive and memorable virtual and face 2 face experiences. As a people-first business, we encourage ambition, support and reward. We’re always listening and open to your ideas, just as we do with our clients. Our name? It’s Strata, an agency on a mission to be the very best. This means we always want to hear from the very best creative and intelligent souls who genuinely believe that every moment matters. Job Overview The Project Manager – Automotive & Production is responsible for planning, managing and delivering automotive events and experiences from initial brief through to live delivery and reconciliation. Acting as the day-to-day client lead, the role owns project plans, budgets, suppliers, venues, logistics and cross-functional coordination. The role also coordinates the creative development and production of event graphics, branding and associated printed and digital materials. Please only apply if you have a minimum of three years' experience working within an events agency, delivering automotive events, and are available to start in January 2027. Key Responsibilities Project Delivery • Lead the end-to-end delivery of automotive events and experiences, from initial brief and planning through to live delivery, reconciliation and post-event evaluation. • Develop and manage project plans, schedules, critical paths, production timelines and delivery milestones. • Coordinate internal teams, clients, venues, suppliers and event partners to ensure deadlines and deliverables are achieved. • Maintain project documentation including briefing documents, schedules, contact reports, artwork trackers and operational plans. • Identify and manage risks, issues, dependencies and changes, escalating where appropriate. • Lead onsite delivery, ensuring operational excellence, consistent quality and effective issue resolution. Client Management • Act as the day-to-day client lead across assigned projects. • Lead client meetings, planning sessions, project updates and status reviews. • Understand client objectives and translate them into practical, creative and commercially viable solutions. • Manage client expectations through clear communication, proactive updates and recommendations. • Secure client approvals, purchase orders, content and project information in line with agreed timelines. • Identify opportunities to add value and introduce relevant wider Strata services. Creative & Production Coordination • Coordinate the development and production of event graphics, signage, branding and associated printed and digital materials. • Write clear creative and production briefs based on client requirements, event objectives and brand guidelines. • Work with Creative, Content, Production and suppliers from concept and artwork development through to approval, manufacture, delivery and installation. • Manage feedback, artwork approvals, specifications, version control and production schedules. • Liaise with printers, fabricators, stand builders and venues to confirm measurements, materials, finishes, fixing methods and delivery requirements. • Coordinate proofs, colour references, samples and prototypes where required. • Monitor quality throughout production and conduct onsite checks to ensure graphics and branded assets are correctly installed and finished. • Ensure creative solutions are practical and achievable within budget, timeline and venue constraints. Financial & Commercial Management • Create and manage accurate project budgets, forecasts and cashflows in Procim. • Track revenue, committed costs, actual spend, mark-up, margin and profitability. • Manage purchase orders, supplier invoices, client approvals and project reconciliation. • Control scope changes and budget variations, ensuring approvals are secured and recorded. • Identify efficiencies and value-engineering opportunities without compromising quality or the client experience. Supplier, Venue & Logistics Management • Source, brief and manage venues, suppliers and event partners. • Develop clear scopes of work and obtain, review and negotiate quotations. • Manage supplier performance against agreed budgets, timelines and quality standards. • Coordinate venue access, deliveries, installation, removal and storage requirements. • Manage delegate, accommodation, travel, catering, transport and vehicle logistics where required. • Support the planning of automotive activity including vehicle movements, test-drive operations and EV charging requirements. Risk, Compliance & Quality • Coordinate project health and safety, risk management and contingency planning in line with company and client processes. • Ensure supplier risk assessments, method statements, insurance and compliance documentation are obtained and approved by the relevant competent lead. • Maintain accurate project records and support ISO9001 quality management requirements. • Uphold brand, production and service standards throughout planning and live delivery. Teamwork, Pitches & Continuous Improvement • Coordinate cross-functional teams and maintain clear ownership of actions and deliverables. • Support Project Coordinators and junior team members through clear delegation, guidance and feedback. • Contribute operational and production content to pitches, proposals and presentations. • Lead project reconciliation, internal reviews and client debriefs. • Capture project learnings, support case-study development and share recommendations for future improvement. What Success Looks Like Within your first 12 months you will: • Independently deliver automotive projects on time, within budget and to a consistently high standard. • Build trusted day-to-day relationships with clients, suppliers and internal teams. • Coordinate graphics and branded materials accurately from briefing through production and installation. • Maintain accurate budgets, forecasts and reconciliations while protecting project margin. • Demonstrate confident onsite leadership and effective management of risk, logistics and changing priorities. • Support consistent project processes and contribute useful learnings to future delivery.