Behind every smooth creative project is someone keeping the moving pieces in sync.

For Creative Project Manager Alice Duval, that’s where she shines.

She’s part organizer, part connector, and part calm in a very fast-moving room.

With a background in digital marketing, operations, and team leadership, she knows how to keep clients informed, Creatives supported, and timelines clear.

In this Creative Highlight, she shares what great project management really looks like at Designity, why clients need more than “just updates,” and how music, movement, cooking, and curiosity shape the way she works.

Role & Day-to-Day Responsibilities

Project management can look invisible when it’s done well. But behind every smooth delivery is someone keeping the timelines tight, the communication clear, and the work moving.

1. What does your role as a Creative Project Manager at Designity look like day to day?

On a daily basis, I act as the bridge between clients, the Creative Director, and the creative team, ensuring everyone is aligned and projects move forward smoothly.

I balance client communication, internal coordination, and project oversight, while keeping a close eye on timelines, workload distribution, and overall quality to make sure we deliver efficiently and on time.

2. What do you think clients gain most from having a strong project manager on their account?

For me, it’s really about giving clients peace of mind. They don’t have to chase updates or worry about things slipping through the cracks.

I’m there to keep everything aligned, on time, and running smoothly, while making sure their vision is actually reflected in the work.

It’s all about making sure they are happy and that they get the most out of their services.

Collaboration With Creative Directors & Teams

Creative work moves fast, but it moves better when everyone is aligned. Alice shares how strong partnerships and shared ownership keep projects sharp and on track. 

3. How do you partner with Creative Directors to keep client projects aligned, strategic, and on track?

I work in close partnership with Matthew, my assigned Creative Director, through consistent check-ins, especially during daily stand-ups where we review all active clients.

This allows us to stay aligned on priorities, proactively address bottlenecks, and discuss any strategic or creative decisions.

It’s a key way to ensure projects remain both on track and aligned with the overall vision. This stand-up can last from 15 minutes to 1.5 hours if needed!

4. You’ve worked across strategy, operations, and client communication. How do you bring all of those pieces together in your work?

I think what really brings all those pieces together is people.

Understanding the team, the client, and the culture we’re working in makes a big difference. It helps me adapt my communication, stay flexible, and make better decisions.

From there, it’s about connecting the dots, making sure strategy is clear, operations are efficient, and communication flows well.

That balance is what keeps projects aligned and moving smoothly.

5. You’ve said leadership is a shared responsibility. How does that mindset show up in the way you work with clients and internal teams?

Leadership as a shared responsibility shows up in how I involve both clients and teams as true partners.

Everyone brings different expertise and perspectives, which leads to more diverse approaches to problem-solving and stronger solutions.

We all have our strengths, and those need to be shared in the decision-making process.

For example, I would always trust a creative’s judgment when it comes to decisions within their own area of expertise.

I focus on creating space for those perspectives to be heard, encouraging collaboration, critical thinking, and shared ownership to drive better outcomes.

Background & Experience 

Good project management doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built through experience, perspective, and learning how to adapt when priorities shift. 

6. How has your background in digital marketing and creative agency environments shaped the way you manage projects?

Being part of the executive team in a digital marketing agency for over six years, and leading the project management team, gave me a very holistic view of how projects contribute to overall business success.

I’ve managed teams, clients, and delivery, but also worked on process optimization, resource planning, and operational efficiency.

It’s shaped a more strategic approach where I focus not just on delivering on time, but on delivering in a way that drives value for both the client and the organization.
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It’s also a very fast-paced environment, so I learned a lot along the way: tools, processes, and how to adapt quickly.

I definitely learned how to be flexible along the way!

7. You have both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in marketing and management. How has that academic background influenced your approach to leadership and project management?

I did broad studies in marketing and management, so my academic background gave me a strong foundation in strategy, business thinking, and communication.

I completed my master’s thesis and all core subjects, so the structure was very solid.
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That said, the part that really shaped me into a project manager wasn’t the academic side of project management specifically, but rather my professional experience and the side projects I was running at the time.

That’s where I learned how to actually manage timelines, people, ambiguity, and execution in real situations.
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So I’d say my education gave me the framework, but my real growth in project management came from hands-on experience.

8. Having led project management teams before joining Designity, what have those experiences taught you about building strong, high-performing teams?

Building high-performing teams starts with a human-first approach.

Recognizing cultural differences and adapting communication styles helps strengthen relationships and trust.

I’ve also learned that clarity around roles, expectations, and goals is key to keeping teams aligned and efficient.

Finally, creating a space where people feel comfortable sharing ideas and taking ownership makes a real difference in both performance and engagement.

Creativity & Personal Perspective

The way we create outside of work often shapes how we work with others. For Alice, music, movement, and cooking all play a part in how she collaborates and recharges.

9. You’re a DJ, record collector, and lifelong dancer. Has music shaped the way you think about creativity, energy, or collaboration?

Yes, absolutely!

Some sociologists suggest that music and dance were among the earliest forms of social connection, before language, and that really resonates with me when it comes to collaboration.

It’s a way of communicating, connecting, and creating energy together without needing words.
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Music has shaped not only my creativity but also how I express myself. It’s helped me come out of my shell and communicate in different, more intuitive ways.

I also spend a lot of time discovering and collecting music, which keeps me in a constant creative mindset.
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That sensitivity to rhythm, energy, and artistic expression naturally carries into my work.

Being surrounded by Creatives at Designity feels very aligned with how I see and experience the world.

10. Outside of work, you enjoy cooking, yoga, and tennis. How do those hobbies help you recharge and stay balanced?

As a very active person, I need to step away from long days in front of a computer to stay balanced.

Activities like tennis help me release energy, while yoga and meditation allow me to slow down and reset.

I try to make time for these every day; they’re essential to maintaining a healthy work-life balance and keeping me focused and present.
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I’m also passionate about spices and local products, so I love going to my neighborhood market in the morning.

Cooking, whether it’s peeling vegetables, trying new recipes and flavor combinations, or hosting people, is a way for me to switch off, recharge, and express a different kind of creativity.

Advice for Aspiring Creative Project Managers

Creative project management is a skill you build in motion. Alice shares the mindset and habits that help Creative Project Managers grow fast and lead well.

11. For someone who wants to become a great Creative Project Manager, what skills or qualities matter most?

To become a great Creative Project Manager at Designity, a few key qualities really stand out: 

• Autonomy: You need to take ownership, think ahead, and move projects forward proactively.
• Strong communication: Clear communication keeps teams aligned, expectations managed, and everyone on the same page.
• Creativity: Not just in the work itself, but in how you solve problems, adapt, and find better ways forward.
• Process awareness: Understanding workflows helps bring structure, efficiency, and calm to fast-moving projects.
• A team-first mindset: Great outcomes come from collaboration, trust, and supporting the people around you.

12. What advice would you give aspiring CPMs who want to succeed in fast-moving creative environments like Designity?

Be yourself and trust your instincts.

Confidence grows with experience, and you’re never expected to have all the answers on day one.

Stay curious and ask questions, especially about processes and ways of working; that’s how you learn quickly and build strong relationships with your team.
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I’d also add: be proactive and take ownership, even in small ways. It builds trust fast.

Learn to prioritize and stay organized, where things can shift quickly.

Additionally, be open to feedback and adapt easily, as iteration is part of the creative process.

And finally, invest in relationships! Creative work is collaborative, and strong connections make everything better.

The Fine Art of Keeping Designity Projects Moving

Alice’s story shows what’s possible when strategy, organization, and a people-first mindset come together.
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At Designity, Creative Project Managers play a big role in helping clients, Creative Directors, and Creatives stay aligned, supported, and ready to do their best work.
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What’s more?

Creative Project Managers get to lead with clarity, build strong relationships, and bring structure to fast-moving creative projects without losing the human side of collaboration.
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So, if you’re energized by creative teams, client partnerships, and the satisfying magic of keeping all the moving pieces in sync, Designity could be your next great fit.
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Join our creative community and discover what your next chapter could look like.

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