About ORCA

ORCA is a brand agency based in the heart of Bristol, creating brand identities, websites and campaigns for both national and global brands. 

We believe that creativity holds the power to drive real positive change. That’s why we harness our limitless creative spirit and challenger mindset to inspire our clients to be that change. We’re a passionate, purpose-driven team who value individuality, personal growth, and creating a vibrant, supportive culture. We believe happy people create the best creative work.

Culture comes first at ORCA. It’s what drives great design, keeps our people happy and nurtures long-standing client relationships. We support collaboration and self-expression, encouraging the team to challenge themselves daily, experiment, and grow. The result is a fun, inspiring and supportive studio environment - something we think shows through in the work we deliver.

We’re now looking for a brilliant Account & Project Manager to join the team. Someone who thrives on responsibility, balances people with process, and makes sure our projects always land on time, on budget and to the creative standard we’re renowned for.

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The Role

The Account & Project Manager is the vital link between our clients and the creative team. You’ll work closely with the Client Services Director, Marketing Coordinator, Designers, and suppliers to keep projects running smoothly and efficiently.

You’ll combine client services and project management: nurturing long-term relationships, interrogating briefs and championing our work, while also managing timelines, budgets and resources. You’ll take ownership of our project management systems and processes, ensuring everything is clear, risks are managed, and the team is set up for success from briefing through to delivery.

Equally important, you’ll protect and support the creative team, making sure work is delivered at the highest level without sacrificing wellbeing.

Ultimately, this role is about driving client satisfaction and agency growth by balancing client needs, creative quality and operational efficiency.

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Responsibilities

Account Management:

• Act as the main point of contact for ORCA clients, managing expectations, schedules, deadlines and requests in a timely manner.
• Provide flawless client service across all accounts, monitoring budget spend, creative quality and deadlines.
• Build trusted relationships with clients and stakeholders at all levels.
• Liaise daily with client contacts to receive briefs and update on project progress.
• Challenge and interrogate client briefs to ensure clarity before communicating to the creative team.
• Work with strategy and design leads to develop project proposals and shape creative briefs.
• Lead client meetings, present work confidently, and ensure actions, responsibilities and next steps are clear.
• Protect the quality and effectiveness of our creative output by selling in ideas with confidence.
• Manage large, often complex stakeholder groups diplomatically.
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends and competitor activity to deepen understanding of client businesses.
• Help facilitate Brand and Digital Immersion Workshops.
• Portray ORCA’s values and ethos in all client interactions.

Project Management

• Maintain internal paperwork and documentation (briefs, estimates, project plans, schedules, contact reports, NDAs, contracts, project status sheets, time-tracking reports, online tools etc.).
• Take ownership of ORCA’s project management system, ensuring allocations and scheduling are planned in advance.
• Create and update client timelines, identify risks or delays early, and communicate these clearly to the team.
• Lead internal start-of-week roundtables and end-of-week wash-ups.
• Communicate effectively with the team to ensure they have what they need for daily tasks, checking in regularly on progress.
• Liaise with subcontractors and freelancers when required, acting as their main point of contact.
• Monitor budget spend and deadlines to ensure smooth delivery.
• Be “AI literate,” using tools and prompts to streamline and expedite daily tasks.

Business Development

• Support new business efforts by contributing to chemistry calls, proposals, estimates, meetings and pitches.
• Work closely with the Client Services Director to grow accounts commercially and creatively, in line with ORCA’s mission.
• Take an active role in delivering quarterly client development plans.
• Contribute ideas and initiatives to grow and nurture existing client relationships as part of wider business development.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a similar agency role (Account Manager, Project Manager, or equivalent)
• Confident using project management, time tracking and accounting software.
• Highly organised, with the ability to plan ahead, manage risks and keep projects running smoothly.
• Skilled at building clear timelines and schedules, ensuring deadlines are realistic and achievable.
• Comfortable leading meetings and keeping teams aligned on priorities and responsibilities.
• Able to manage external suppliers and freelancers to deliver consistent quality.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the confidence to engage clients and colleagues at all levels.
• Proactive and positive outlook, with the drive to hit targets and make things happen.
• Collaborative mindset, with the ability to contribute ideas and work effectively across disciplines.
• Strategic understanding of brands and commercial insight.
• Passion for creativity and design, with a belief in its power to make a difference.
• Excellent attention to detail, ensuring accuracy in all aspects of work.
• Solid understanding of budgets and delivering profitable projects.
• Ability to manage multiple clients and projects under pressure while maintaining composure.
• Naturally builds strong, trusted relationships with clients and colleagues.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with hunger to help take ORCA to the next level, by nurturing existing client relationships, building new relationships, ensuring a quality output and healthy, profitable projects... but most importantly ensuring the ORCA team continues to be motivated, inspired and productive.

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Package

• Time off that actually feels like time off – 21 days holiday, your birthday off, plus we shut down for Christmas.
• Work your way – a mix of in-studio energy and remote flexibility.
• Flexitime – because life doesn’t always stick to 9–5.
• Team lunches every month (yes, food is a love language here).
• Training & inspiration budget – we invest in your growth.
• Quarterly ORCA Hero Award – with a bonus, because heroes deserve one.
• Summer perks – a team trip and summer hours for those sunny afternoons.
• Enhanced parental leave & sick pay – because we’ve got your back.
• Referral bonus scheme – help us find great people, get rewarded.
• Sensible travel policy – we keep trips purposeful (and fun).
• Early Friday finish – because weekends should start early.

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Progression

There’s great potential for the right person to grow with us, working towards developing into a Senior Account & Project Manager role, with commensurate salary progression.

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How to Apply

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Send a short email to careers@onlyorca.com with the following:

• Subject line: Account & Project Manager Role
• A short note (max 150 words) explaining why you’re a great fit for the role, plus your salary expectation.
• Your CV.
• A link to your LinkedIn and any other relevant socials.

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Key Information

• Application deadline: Friday 3rd October
• Interviews: w/c 13th October
• Hiring Decision: by Friday 24th October
• Salary: £35,000
• Position type: Full time, permanent 

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