Lola Ellis

Freelance Resource Manager at Koto (2026-04 – Present)

• Manage freelancer onboarding, ensuring a smooth and efficient process from engagement to project readiness.
• Coordinate and maintain Koto's freelance talent network, matching resources to project requirements.
• Oversee the delivery of case studies, collaborating with internal teams to gather, organise, and present project outcomes.
• Support the administration and coordination of paid client projects, tracking timelines, resources, and deliverables.
• Act as a key point of contact between freelancers and internal employees, ensuring clear communication and efficient project execution.

Senior Resource Manager at Otherway (2025-11 – 2026-05)

• Introduced an entirely new resourcing process within one month, streamlining operations and reducing planning meetings from 2.5 hours to just 30 minutes.
• Set up Float from scratch and began managing projects end-to-end - from scope to assigning the right team.
• Globally resourced across the London & New York team making sure everything ran smoothly in both offices.
• Oversaw freelance hiring, cutting dependency where needed while maintaining strong relationships with top freelance talent and recruiters.

Resource Manager at Forpeople (2025-01 – 2025-10)

• Promoted to manager after a year, taking the lead on improving and adapting workflows for the client services team.
• Continued managing internal teams, freelancers, and external suppliers to ensure balanced workloads and smooth project delivery.

Resource Coordinator at Forpeople (2023-11 – 2024-12)

Rejoined forpeople to independently run resource management as a one person team.

• Led weekly planning meetings to identify and resolve upcoming scheduling issues.
• Tracked utilisation and produced weekly reports using Float.
• Managed internal and external resource clashes, introducing new freelancers and maintaining a strong network for future projects.
• Monitored freelancer spend while ensuring the internal team operated at full capacity.

Studio Manager at Made Thought (2021-11 – 2023-10)

• Rejoined forpeople to independently run resource management as a one person team.
• Led weekly planning meetings to identify and resolve upcoming scheduling issues.
• Tracked utilisation and produced weekly reports using Float.
• Managed internal and external resource clashes, introducing new freelancers and maintaining a strong network for future projects.
• Monitored freelancer spend while ensuring the internal team operated at full capacity.

Studio Assistant at Forpeople (2018-09 – 2021-11)

I also assisted the studio manager with Resource & Project Planning when needed: Working with Studio Manager, assisted with the day-to-day allocation of resources and trouble-shoot where required.

• Assist all teams with their administration
• Track and input employees holiday & sickness
• Meet and greet all new employees, freelancers, interns and set up for any client workshops/meetings
• Identify and fix issues within the studio and assist with improvements on processes
• Manage the day to day running of the studio
• Take care premise's maintenance, cleaning and security (fob tracking etc)
• Keeping the studio stationery cupboard and kitchen cupboards fully stocked
• Book company travel and shipping
• Meet, liaise and greet with all visitors, clients and suppliers and manage reception
• Manage all internal events, both large and small – contributing to studio culture
• Problem solve any clashes on projects within teams
• Provide administrative support to Design and Client Services teams and on resource software (Float)
• Communicate to Studio and Client Service team when a creative team member is under utilised
• Attend and co-chair weekly planning meetings with Studio Manager (cover when Studio Manager was absent)
• Source freelancers that fit certain briefs (project by project as required) that are given by the Client Services team