Recently joined a smaller agency and have only been with them for a little over a month. I’m now on 7 different projects each with multiple work streams that I manage. I’m the sole project manager on 5 out of the 7. Many of these are also brand new accounts for the agency, so I’m both learning their process & trying to implement process simultaneously.

I was at a very large agency before, so I’d love to hear- does this workload (this early on for a new hire) seem normal for a smaller shop?

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Yes, small agencies operate leanly with an all hands on deck approach. It can feel overwhelming but it’s a fantastic learning opportunity. Try to embrace it as long as you’re being decently compensated and not worked to death.

It can take something falling through the cracks before you’re offered any help so keep your manager in the loop if anything starts going off the rails.

Small agencies are the future! Count yourself lucky and best wishes to you!

likesmart

Mid-weight PM in London can range from £40k–£45k, depending.

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Yep lol

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I’ve tried smaller shops twice in my career and both times I couldn’t last a year there. It wasn’t just the workload. it was the culture. Both places felt super cultish and had miserable, toxic leaders/owners.

The ways of working / process in both places felt like they were trying to create something new rather than relying on tried and true things.

I’m sure there are great ones out there but it hasn’t been my experience.

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Do they need any writers?

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I think they just hired a bunch so they might not for a while!

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Yeah having worked big and small - small agencies need people to stretch further, same for smaller accounts
And i have to say, I’ve never once had an actual onboarding, it’s always been into the fire on day one, sink or swim yadda yadda
So I do feel you on that - hang in there, keep record of all your achievements & processes you establish, and always keep your LinkedIn up to date lol

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Absolutely!

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Yes. I went from large agency to small family and the amount of small clients one person would handle was ridiculous

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100%

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Yes, absolutely! It’s completely normal. What I’ve found is that when you start as the only Project Manager, it can feel pretty overwhelming at first. Over time, this might ease… or maybe not, to be honest. It really depends on what you’re looking for.

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This seems like the normal workload at a big agency right now also. However if you’re not beholden to shareholders, you might actually get a raise though if you’re at an independent shop. Def won’t at a network agency

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Thank you all for the input! Really appreciate it!

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Yup. I recently quit an agency I was hired at Art Director for but instead was working as a Project Manager, Art Director and Strategist for 8 account. I had only worked at big agencies before where everyone had a specific role. It was not worth my mental health and I quit after 5 weeks. I still have PTSD lol

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