Freelance Senior Product Manager

At AKQA (part of WPP) we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful ideas, products and services. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive digital services and applications that capture the imagination, delivering impressive returns for our clients.

Product Managers at AKQA provide cross‑functional leadership to ensure delivered work meets the needs of the client and their customers. This involves not only consuming the information and direction we receive, but looking beyond and demonstrating thought leadership and critical analysis to guide the team towards creating the best possible solution. AKQA offers teams the opportunity to produce innovative work that moves companies and their communities forward. All disciplines collaborate to find the best solution while delivering each aspect to the highest standard. From products and services to imaginative storytelling, our shared vision is to create experiences that drive progress and results.

Role Requirements

Lead the process of identifying and clarifying product requirements for clients using interviews, workshops, and surveys across stakeholders

Collaborate with UX and Strategy leads to discern customer problems and pain points for a workflow, individual existing product, new product concept, or ecosystem of products

Create and maintain the following deliverables:

Use Cases

Business Requirements

Functional Requirements

Product Backlog

Liaison between the business, creative, and technology teams to ensure a common understanding of business requirements and solutions

Catalogue background knowledge and develop subject‑matter expertise to share with the internal team, resolving questions that impact the direction of the work

Work side‑by‑side with our creative team to refine or clarify requirements and provide guidance on proposed solutions

Understand how proposed solutions may impact technical implementation and highlight potential challenges early so that dependencies may be resolved

Interface with internal and external development teams to ensure product vision is carried through to the final product

Ensure the accuracy of all project deliverables against approved requirements

Help establish scope of work and prioritize high‑level requirements, working with Client, Project Manager, and Technical Architect

Develop a tactical product roadmap by conducting prioritization exercises

Provide recommendations on product direction based on expertise and analysis

Outline delivery needs based on requirements, product knowledge, and approved creative concepts

Assist in writing functional specifications defining the proposed creative solution

Participate in the communication of solutions to clients and third‑party partners

Generate and maintain a backlog of epics and user stories to support a development lifecycle

Qualities and Characteristics

5+ years of experience, preferably within a consulting or agency environment, implementing innovative, interactive, and consumer‑focused solutions

End‑to‑end project lifecycle experience across multiple digital platforms

Adaptable to a variety of workflows based on client and project needs, including waterfall and agile approaches

Effective communication skills at all levels (presentation, written, verbal)

Ability to build strong, collaborative relationships with peers and external client staff, and to achieve results under potentially difficult circumstances

Strong organization skills; responsive to colleagues for overall clarity and understanding

Passion for creating innovative solutions that help companies connect and engage with customers is essential

Ability to work well under pressure and to have an objective‑focused and positive approach, comfortable working independently, is self‑motivated and self‑driven

Strong customer service ethos, a commitment to quality and the will to constantly drive improvements

Other Details

Hybrid role, must be located in the US

Freelance temp W2 only, not 1099 or corp‑to‑corp

Full‑time schedule, 40 hours per week

Pay rate expected to range from $3,000–$3,800 per week

We believe great work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach including required in‑office days. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

About EEO

AKQA is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

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