The Opportunity - External Resourcing Manager

At ICHI, our work is only as strong as the people behind it. We are looking for a proactive, high-energy External Resourcing Manager to be the definitive bridge between our studio and the world’s best creative and production talent.

Working from either our London or Brighton offices, this isn't just a "booking" role. As the External Resourcing Manager, you are the face of ICHI to the external market. You’ll be responsible for curating an elite bench of freelancers, contractors, and partners, ensuring we have the right skills available the moment a project kicks off. You’ll blend sharp intuition with operational rigour to ensure every external hire is a "best-in-class" fit for our culture and our clients.

You will have significant reach across the agency, working directly with senior leadership to shape how we work. We value those who take ownership and bring a "people-first" energy to everything they do.

At ICHI (part of Keywords Studios), we know a diverse workforce only elevates the great work we do. As such, we are an equal opportunities employer and we take diversity and inclusion seriously.

External Resourcing Manager- The Impact You’ll Make

• Talent Scouting & Curation: Proactively identify, connect with, and qualify top-tier creative and production freelancers. You don't just wait for a need; you build the pipeline in advance.
• The "Human Database": Maintain an encyclopaedic knowledge of our external network: skills, software proficiency, tech setups, day rates, and real-time availability.
• Strategic Matchmaking: Work closely with Producers and Creatives to proactively suggest the best talent matches based on specific project DNA, not just availability.
• Negotiation & Contracting: Lead the charge on fee/rate and contract negotiations. You’ll ensure all engagements are commercially viable and compliant.
• Partnership Oversight: Beyond individuals, you will qualify external partners and suppliers. You possess the intuition to know when a partner adds value versus when they might pose a competitive risk.
• Process Evolution: Collaborate with Senior Leadership and Operations to refine our onboarding tools, freelance workflows, and talent management systems.
• Bridging the gap: Work with Operations to build a seamless workflow between the UK and North American teams to look at how we can strategically share resources before going fully external.
• Collaboration: Work in lockstep with the Resourcing Manager to provide seamless coverage of capacity and pipeline of the creative department, stepping in to support internal scheduling during high-volume periods and holiday gaps.