Project Manager

Role overview

Canvas8 is hiring a Project Manager to join its London team and help turn complex, fast-moving work into smooth, high-quality delivery. This role suits someone who is commercially minded, highly organised, and confident keeping multiple projects on track while protecting budgets, timelines, and quality.

You will be working across qualitative research delivery, supporting both membership and bespoke consultancy projects. The position calls for someone who can spot scope creep early, manage shifting priorities calmly, and keep internal teams, vendors, and clients aligned throughout each project.

About Canvas8

Canvas8 is a strategic insights practice with teams in London, New York City, Los Angeles, Singapore, and Manila. The organisation helps clients better understand people so they can make smarter business decisions.

Its work explores everyday cultural and behavioural patterns - from media trends and fandom to the growing role of AI companions - and turns those observations into practical insight for brands. The team brings together expertise from psychology, journalism, anthropology, behavioural economics, and other disciplines, united by a shared interest in understanding people and delivering strong work.

What the role involves

Reporting to the Head of Project Management, you will help guide work from planning through to completion across both membership and consultancy streams. You will act as the operational connector between researchers, fieldwork partners, and clients, ensuring the delivery side of social science research runs efficiently.

The job includes building robust project plans, coordinating international logistics, managing vendors across markets, and monitoring project health so work is delivered on time, within budget, and to a high standard.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee projects across both membership and consultancy workstreams.
• Partner with senior colleagues to ensure delivery runs smoothly from beginning to end.
• Coordinate participant recruitment, scheduling, and logistics for qualitative research, including focus groups, ethnographies, and online communities.
• Create and maintain detailed delivery plans, timelines, and roadmaps for client work and internal projects.
• Monitor project budgets, track spending, and escalate financial risk or scope changes when needed.
• Keep daily communication flowing between internal teams, with clear updates, prioritised actions, and aligned expectations.
• Help refine internal delivery processes to improve consistency and efficiency across projects.

What they are looking for

The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented project manager who is comfortable juggling several complex workstreams at once. You should be able to build structured plans, manage deadlines carefully, and make sure important details are never missed.

Strong interpersonal skills are essential, as the role involves working with senior stakeholders, external clients, and internal teams. High emotional intelligence, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to communicate clearly and calmly in pressured situations are all important.

You should also be steady under pressure, solution-focused, and able to bring structure and confidence when priorities change.

Requirements

• 3 to 5 years of experience in project management or account management within a fast-moving agency, strategic research consultancy, or client-side insights team.
• Direct experience coordinating end-to-end qualitative fieldwork and participant recruitment across mobile ethnographies, online communities, and in-person or remote focus groups.
• Strong commercial awareness with hands-on experience managing budgets and reducing the risk of scope creep.
• Comfort working with senior clients and collaborating closely with senior leadership.
• Experience with financial services clients is preferred, though not mandatory.
• Strong interest in different markets, cultures, and research approaches.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly developed organisational ability.
• Capability to work both on your own and as part of a team.
• Self-driven and proactive approach to work.

Benefits and perks

• Hybrid working arrangement with flexible start times.
• 29 days of paid leave, inclusive of bank holidays, plus an additional half day before the festive period.
• Ability to work from anywhere for up to two weeks each year.
• Pension, life insurance, cashback, private healthcare, and a cycle scheme.
• Support for physical and mental wellbeing, including two Mental Wealth days each year and 24/7 GP access.
• Personalised development planning and ongoing learning opportunities.
• Interest-free Life Unlock Loan for major personal needs.
• Dependant leave for family-related situations.
• Summer Fridays, seasonal extras, and regular social events.
• Buddy support to help with onboarding and settling in.
• Long service recognition awards.
• Friendly team culture, including office dogs.

Additional information

This is a full-time role based in London with a hybrid working setup. Interested candidates are asked to apply by sharing why they are a strong fit and submitting a CV. Applications close on Friday, 3 July 2026.

Equal opportunity statement

Canvas8 says it values diversity and inclusion, and aims to maintain a workplace where people of all backgrounds are respected and given equal opportunity. The company highlights its commitment to welcoming talent from diverse races, genders, ages, and other backgrounds.