Project Manager (Chicago)

Project Manager (Chicago)Ruca — US StudioContract-to-Hire / Remote (Chicago-based)About RucaRuca is a member-owned global creative cooperative with a boutique soul. We partner with companies seeking proven experience, speed, and scale to launch recognizable brands, products, and businesses. We bring strategy-led services, amplified by the latest technologies, to every engagement.

Unlike traditional design agencies, we also invest in founders, incubate our own products, and share in collective success with our members through equity and profit-sharing. We’re building something different, and we want people who want to build with us.

The Role

We're looking for a strong, detail-oriented Project Manager to join Ruca's US Studio on a 3-month, full-time contract, with the goal of converting to a permanent member of our team. This contract is built to convert: if you're the right fit, full-time employment follows at the 3-month mark.

As part of our US local studio, you'll oversee the full lifecycle of client work, internal brands, and venture projects — from visual identity systems to pitch decks to product launches. You'll work alongside a global community of experienced creatives, including our two other local studios in Bogota and Manila.

This is a role for someone who thrives under pressure, keeps every project buttoned up and on track, and brings a genuinely great attitude to every client conversation and internal huddle alike.

While we work remotely, we believe the best creative culture is built in person. US Studio members gather regularly with co-founders in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. Candidates should be comfortable making their way to one of these three cities on a monthly basis.

Core Responsibilities

A Project Manager at Ruca is a strategic partner responsible for driving projects from start to completion to close-out, including ensuring all design assets are delivered up to standard, on time, and within scope, to successfully meet client expectations while keeping every stakeholder aligned.A foundation in design, agency work, and/or AI processes is a huge plus.

We’re looking for an individual who is a self-starter and a quick problem solver. We also anticipate you eventually using AI tools to amplify your workflow automations and copy.

Responsibilities will include

• Defining project scope, goals, milestones, and deliverables in collaboration with senior management and stakeholders
• Forecasting realistic budgets and timelines, allocate financial and human resources, and track costs throughout the project lifecycle
• Partnering with the Head of Studio on studio-specific initiatives and projects
• Building and guiding cross-functional teams, delegating tasks thoughtfully, and supporting individual team members along the way
• Identifying potential project risks (resource constraints, scope creep, delays, burnout) and designing mitigation strategies to eliminate blockers before they happen
• Maintaining consistent, clear communication with clients and internal stakeholders on status, timelines, progress, and key design findings Evaluating project performance and ensuring final deliverables meet both company and client standards before assets are delivered
• Serving as the calm, professional voice of Ruca in every client interaction, even when timelines get tight and client directions may seem unclear
• Juggling multiple projects, multiple teams, and an array of tools simultaneously
• Staying sharp on trends, tools, and best practices, including the evolving AI design landscape
• Collaborating with senior designers and cross-functional teams to maintain a consistent, high-quality brand experience
• Communicating ideas clearly, both visually and verbally, with clients and internal teammates

Qualifications

• Background & Experience2–7 years of professional or freelance experience managing projects in a design agency, creative studio, or similarly fast-paced environment
• A track record of delivering complex, multi-stakeholder projects on time and on budget
• Proven ability to manage project teams and directly foster strong cross-functional internal relationships
• Success partnering directly with clients to gather requests and feedback, identify core objectives and success metrics, and translate those into clear direction for internal teams
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to facilitate the flow of information between clients and internal stakeholders to ensure alignment, transparency, and successful project delivery
• Agency, startup, or cooperative experience is a plus
• Experience across multi-channel work, including web/product, brand, and marketing (e.g. social, digital, print, or motion)
• Demonstrated fluency with AI tools in your workflow (workflow automation, AI-assisted ideation, or similar). Show us how you work, not just what you did.
• Bonus if you have experience managing basic admin and operations for an agency, start up, or similar organization
• Skills, Tools, & Tools
• Exceptionally professional and polished when communicating with clients and stakeholders; this person is always buttoned up, never rattled
• Calm and effective under pressure; a steady hand when timelines compress or priorities shift
• Kind, charismatic, and a genuine problem-solver; someone people want on their project
• A fast learner who picks up new tools and workflows quickly
• Comfortable working across multiple PM tools (Asana, Monday, Notion, Jira, or equivalent) and able to adapt to whatever the project demands
• Comfortable using AI tools: Claude, Midjourney, Firefly, or equivalent and thoughtful about when and how to use them
• Sharp organizational instincts paired with strong written and verbal communication
• A natural collaborator who can lead a room and also roll up their sleeves
• Organized, reliable, and able to juggle multiple projects without dropping the ball
• Comfortable presenting work and giving and receiving direct feedback
• What Makes This Role Different
• At Ruca, you won’t just execute tasks, you’ll be a full-time member of the US Studio, embedded in a cooperative that shares equity, governance, and success with its people.
• From day one, you’ll work alongside world-class creatives across time zones on brand, product, and venture projects that actually ship.
• We grow people who want to grow.

To Apply

Send your resume and a brief note on a project you're especially proud of managing to hiring@ruca.co. We’re not looking for a cover letter. We’re looking for your work and your thinking. Please make the subject line: "Project Manager (Chicago) – [First Name Last Name]"

Compensation Range

Hourly rate range during contract period is $28.21 per hour - $32.69 per hour. If converted to full-time, the salary range would be $59,000 to $68,000 plus benefits.