Freelance Project Manager

Job description

The Opportunity - Freelance, Senior Project Manager 6-Month Part-Time Contract (Extension Potential) Northern is seeking an experienced Freelance Project Manager, to lead and drive the success of digital marketing and website development projects for our key clients. In this 6-month, part-time, contract position, you'll be the cornerstone of our project delivery, ensuring every initiative launches on time, within budget, and exceeds client expectations. You'll own the full project lifecycle, from strategic planning through successful completion, while serving as the primary point of contact for our clients. What You'll Do Project Ownership & Management Own end-to-end project management across multiple client accounts, including planning, QA, scope management, scheduling, budgeting, and cost determination Lead the delivery of diverse digital initiatives, including website development, website redesigns, digital experiences, marketing campaigns, and technology projects Develop, maintain, and refine realistic project schedules across paid media, SEO, email marketing, web development, technical implementations, and other digital workstreams Manage project changes, remediation, dependencies, and scope adjustments while protecting timelines, budgets, and project quality Coordinate cross-functional workflows across strategy, creative, development, UX/UI, marketing, analytics, and technical teams Ensure all deliverables meet the highest quality standards and launch on time, within scope, and within budget Identify project risks, technical dependencies, and potential roadblocks early, developing proactive mitigation plans to keep projects moving forward Client Leadership & Communication Serve as the primary client contact, driving clear, timely decision-making and fostering strong, trusted partnerships Deliver strategic guidance on short- and long-term marketing initiatives, website development, digital transformation, and technical solutions Translate client business objectives into actionable digital, marketing, website, and technology requirements Present innovative alternatives and solutions that align with client goals, user needs, technical considerations, and budget Provide consistent, transparent visibility across all stakeholders on activities, milestones, costs, deliverables, dependencies, risks, and project status Facilitate client workshops, project kickoffs, requirements gathering, reviews, and approvals Build positive, collaborative relationships that drive client satisfaction, retention, and long-term growth opportunities Team & Resource Management Leverage project management tools to facilitate seamless communication and collaboration across internal, client, vendor, and development teams Maintain organized project backlogs, roadmaps, requirements, and priorities while ensuring teams have clear direction and access to the information needed to work efficiently Prepare resourcing forecasts for weekly cross-functional planning meetings across marketing, creative, development, UX/UI, and technical teams Coordinate internal and external resources to ensure projects are appropriately staffed and delivered efficiently Partner with developers, designers, strategists, and technical specialists to resolve blockers and maintain project momentum Mentor and support project teams to deliver exceptional results while promoting accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement Reporting & Administration Develop and deliver comprehensive project status updates, performance reports, and executive-level summaries to clients Create time, resource, and value estimates for scope additions, website enhancements, technical requirements, and additional client work Manage project budgets, financial tracking, monthly invoicing, and overall project profitability Track project milestones, deliverables, dependencies, risks, and financial performance to maintain accurate project visibility Support project retrospectives and identify opportunities to improve processes, delivery methodologies, and team efficiency What you’ll Provide Experience & Education 5+ years of senior-level digital project management experience, with a strong background delivering website development, digital marketing, technology, and integrated digital initiatives College diploma/university degree in a related field, OR equivalent professional experience Proven agency background managing complex, multi-stakeholder digital, marketing, website, and technology projects Demonstrated experience managing projects from discovery and requirements gathering through development, QA, launch, and post-launch support Core Skills Strategic project planning, budget management, scope management, and P&L responsibility for digital and technology initiatives Expert-level client communication, relationship management, stakeholder alignment, and expectation management Strong understanding of website development and digital experiences, including web strategy, UX/UI, content, development, QA, integrations, and technical implementations Understanding of digital marketing strategies, including SEO, PPC, Social, Email, Marketing Automation, Analytics, and Conversion Rate Optimization Exceptional organization, time management, prioritization, and problem-solving skills Ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage competing priorities, and mentor junior team members Technical Skills Google Workspace proficiency Advanced project management and collaboration tools, including Asana, ClickUp, , Jira, or similar platforms Familiarity with website development workflows, CMS platforms, QA processes, analytics tools, and common digital technologies (Adobe Commerce, Drupal, AEP, AEM) Comfortable working with technical requirements, project documentation, development timelines, integrations, and technology-related dependencies Strong understanding of digital analytics, reporting, and performance measurement tools Additional Valid passport and willingness to travel within North America when needed Ability to work independently and drive results with minimal oversight This is a high-impact role in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where your leadership directly influences success. You'll work with motivated teams, engaged clients, and have the opportunity for contract extension, based on business needs and assigned project success. Benefits of Becoming a Northern Contractor In exchange for your talent, Northern offers: Competitive Rates Flexible work to promote work-life integration Remote-first or hybrid flexibility Asynchronous work Supportive Operations Team 15-25 hours a week About Northern Headquartered in London, Ontario, Canada, Northern is an integrated digital solutions agency that partners with leading Commercial and Public Service organizations to navigate digital change. We bring together strategy, experience design, data, marketing, and technology to create connected digital experiences that help our clients engage their audiences, accelerate growth, and achieve meaningful business outcomes. Since our founding in 2015, Northern has grown into a team of 200+ digital experts, receiving multiple recognitions in employee engagement from Great Place to Work® Canada, including Best Workplaces™ for Inclusion, Women, Mental Health, Hybrid Work, and more. Equity and Diversity Northern welcomes applications from all qualified individuals and is dedicated to fostering a culture of inclusivity, employment equity, and diversity in the workplace. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply, including but not limited to members of visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, individuals with diverse abilities, and those of all gender identities and expressions. We are also committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Accommodations are available at every stage of the hiring process. If you require support or adjustments to participate fully, please let us know when you apply, and we will work with you to meet your needs. AI Use & Interview Transparency: Northern uses AI tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as drafting interview questions and organizing candidate information. We may also record and transcribe interviews to ensure accuracy and consistency in our evaluations. Rest assured, you will be speaking with real live human beings! If you prefer not to be recorded or require an accommodation, please let us know in advance. This will not affect your candidacy. All interview information is used solely for recruitment purposes and managed in accordance with Ontario privacy requirements.