Wanted: Quarterback (Creative Services Director?)
March 23rd, 2007
Well, it’s finally gotten to that point – things are crazy busy again (usually they’re just crazy). For about a day I thought the answer was to bring on more help coding the xHTML and CSS. While I still think that’s important, I realize that’s only going to make me busier in my role as Project Manager for an ever-expanding # of current assignments.
So, what to do?
What I really need is a quarterback – someone to survey the opposition, the field position, make the reads and call the right plays. Someone who’s tough on the competition but who treats Clients and team members like they are worth their weight in gold, because they are (sounds trite, doesn’t it?). Someone who can allow me to elevate to the level of Head Coach.
I say quarterback b/c I’ve always hated the typical role given to the project manager at most hi tech companies. Most places I’m aware of seem to use project managers to ‘count beans’: how many hours have been done on a project, relaying new requirements from the Client to the production team, creating reports for the boss. I’ve also seen situations where the project manager is supposed to ensure that a project stays on budget, yet doesn’t have the decision-making authority over creative direction to make that happen. The PM then gets caught in the crossfire between the creative team, management and the Client. Not a good place to be.
Hence quarterback.
So I’ve started the search for a Client Services Director who will spend time understanding Client needs, and working w/t/Pemaquid team to come up w/creative ways to meet those needs.
Is that you? Or someone you know? I’m all ears…
