Ever wondered what a project manager actually does all day? No, I don’t just sit around updating schedules and sending emails (though I do a fair bit of that too). I’m Dan, and at Northern Bear, my job is to make sure our clients get the creative solutions they need, whether that’s a new brand, website, or campaign, without it taking over their lives.
Keeping projects moving without the chaos
Think of me as the person spinning plates, but instead of crockery, it’s deadlines, client expectations, and creative ideas. Whether it’s a full rebrand, a fundraising campaign, or a website build, my aim is to keep everything moving smoothly, making sure our clients, creative, and digital teams are all on the same page. If something’s at risk of slipping, I spot it early and adjust.
Bridging the gap between clients and creatives
Designers talk in pixels, developers talk in code, and clients talk in big-picture goals. My job is to make sure everyone is speaking the same language and heading in the right direction. We work with lots of charity and non-profit clients, so understanding their challenges and key stakeholders is crucial. Knowing who needs to be involved and when is a big part of making things run smoothly.
Taking the stress off your shoulders
Most of our clients are charities, which means they already have a lot on their plate. Often, project leads wear multiple hats within their organisation. My aim is to guide the project so they don’t have to worry about it. That means clear updates, avoiding information overload, and making sure they know what’s happening without having to chase us for it.
Our magic toolbox
At Northern Bear, we’ve tried and tested various project management platforms and tools. We now use Monday.com to keep all of our projects on track, no matter how big or small. For general communication, we work with clients to find what suits them best. This might be picking up the phone, Slack or Microsoft Teams for quick chats, or Zoom and Google Meet for meetings. The key is knowing when to use each one because not everything needs an email!
Hear it from our clients
“Dan and team have made themselves very available to us, keeping good communication through out the process. The team is very friendly and knowledgable. The account management means you know exactly where your project is at, and you can feed in throughout.”
James Rawlinson, Marketing and Recruitment Officer, Faculty of Humanities Administration, University of Manchester
Final thought
Being a project manager is all about balance. Keeping projects on track, clients happy, and the team motivated. It’s part strategy, part people skills, and a whole lot of problem-solving.
If you have a design, digital, or creative project you think we could help with, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Email me at dan@thenorthernbear.co.uk or our Chief Bear, Chris, at chris@thenorthernbear.co.uk
