Project Manager / Program Manager - Agency Setup (m/f/d)

A company is looking for an experienced freelance staffing Project Manager or Program Manager to lead the structured build-up of an agency with around 150 employees within six months. The role includes full responsibility for the recruitment initiative, including planning, coordination, and operational execution. The candidate takes on the central coordination function between internal resources, external freelance recruiters, and management, ensuring a comprehensive overview of all ongoing activities.

• Project setup and management: building structures, processes, and tools from scratch, managing the project schedule, priorities, and escalations, and conducting kick-off meetings.
• Staffing and resource planning: developing and maintaining a complete staffing plan, managing a team of internal and freelance recruiters, planning freelancer needs, and coordinating onshore and offshore recruiting activities.
• Controlling and overview: budget tracking, status monitoring for recruiting activities, regular reporting to management, and proactive problem solving.
• Collaboration and stakeholder management: close cooperation with global business partners, HR departments, and recruiting teams, ensuring smooth cross-functional processes along the candidate journey.
• Onboarding and infrastructure: supporting the setup of access, licenses, as well as hardware and software, ensuring a seamless onboarding experience.
• Culture and employee experience: considering cultural aspects in the build-up process, fostering positive onboarding and integration experiences, and being sensitive to cultural differences in nearshore and offshore collaboration.

• Proven experience in (HR) project management or recruiting program management.
• Expertise in building and managing recruiting teams (internal and external).
• Experience in staffing planning in complex, high-growth environments.
• Understanding of onshore/offshore recruiting models.
• Solid knowledge of commercial planning and budget control.
• Experience in an agency or consulting environment is a plus.
• Strong ability to keep track even under high complexity.
• High self-motivation, structured and proactive working style.
• Resilience and flexibility in a dynamic environment.
• Clear and confident communication at all levels.
• Willingness to start on very short notice.