Description
IT Business Project Manager
Chicago, IL
OPEN HOURLY RATE
.*This is a 4-6 month contract*
The Project Manager (PM) role requires a results-driven professional who is highly organized, with a keen attention to detail and a strong ability to lead and solve complex problems. The PM is expected to complete multifaceted program and project assignments with limited direction and has the autonomy to make decisions and recommendations regarding assigned projects, in accordance with Firm policies, procedures, standards and guidelines. The Project Manager will have accountability to drive the performance of cross-functional teams involved in the planning and delivery of projects. The individual must implement effective and efficient business solutions, perform management and oversight of complex projects, and provide ongoing strategic direction to project teams. The PM is responsible for applying project management principles and practices to deliver projects on time and within budget and is expected to work independently with limited guidance and understand how and when to escalate issue, risks, etc.
- Leads multiple simultaneous cross-functional programs from inception through to deployment.
- Interacts with a variety of business and IT stakeholders as a peer and trusted advisor including multiple interactions with Senior Staff/C-Suite.
- Leads project meetings, providing timely recap and manages the action items outside of meetings.
- Develops and executes against work breakdown structures (WBS) for each project.
- Creates and shares timelines/WBS at the right level and understand how to show high level or milestones to Senior Leaders on projects.
- Executes assigned project efforts in accordance with the Firm's project management methodology.
- Manages resources and escalates appropriately if not getting response needed.
- Actively utilizes Firm's Eclipse PPM system to hold timeline/WBS, issues/risks, financials and status message on a daily/standard basis to reflect current state as Real Time as possible.
- Assigns and tracks resources across project efforts in conjunction with functional managers.
- Influences project team and stakeholders to ensure projects are on time and on budget.
- Escalates known issues/risks to project success to manager as appropriate when at an impasse where time, cost or resources are affected.
- Manages a vendor assessment which includes creating a request for proposal (RFP), coordinating multiple vendor demonstrations, assisting the Business Partner with scoring and selecting the vendor and finally working with Strategic Sourcing to finalize/negotiate contract.
Other Functions:
- Leads business-process analysis and process-improvement activities when business analyst resources are not available.
- Acts as project management coach to functional led (non-PM) projects to follow PMO methodology, guidelines and templates.
- Prepares, analyzes, and presents requirements, design mockups and any other relevant project data.
- Assists with vendor management throughout assessments and implementations of products.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Required experience: 10+ years with a background in consulting, business analysis and process design. Bachelor's Degree in related field required. Master's Degree is a plus.
- Communication
- Listen, draw out key concepts and articulate advanced technical and non-technical concepts with ease (both written and oral formats) to customers, peers and management at several levels and across the organization with minimal oversight.
- Effective production support activities, including advanced business and technical writing including writing for high level Executives.
- Document medium to large scale projects with minimal supervision; will be involved in developing/delivering presentations.
- Decision Maker
- Excellent command of business knowledge.
- Ability to solicit input from internal and external sources, including the ability to investigate and incorporate best practices from other corporations, experience and sound judgment.
- Knows when to seek senior management input or escalate issues based on impact.
- Influence stakeholders on requirement and design decisions that best meet Firm's goals.
- Ability to create and articulate decision trees and alternate path diagrams. The goal is to minimize the trade-offs between cost containment and/or timeliness of service so that both are completely achievable.
- Ability to think and act outside of job responsibilities when necessary.
- Interpersonal Skills
- Does "whatever it takes" to support the tactical and strategic goals of the team and in the Firm.
- Recognized as a positive and motivational leader on the team.
- Has the courage to accept difficult relationship scenarios and regularly negotiates win-win solutions for all involved.
- Inspires and motivates with positivity.
- Utilize sound judgment in highly active times on projects.
- Strategy and Change Management Skills
- Manage change management development, including team development and strategic change programs.
- Affects change within sphere of influence.
- Frequently leads development of new improvements.
- Contributes individually or through others on complex issues or initiatives.
- Assumes responsibility for others and for team results.
- Seen as a leader in the group.
- Program/Project Management
- Proceeds from concept, to design, to leading the implementation of complex, medium to large scale projects.
- Expert in the use of project management software.
- Uses project management software as a critical tool in charting or adjusting the course of a project.
- Ensures that programs and projects are designed to support and implement company goals and strategic objectives.
- Ability to influence and balance priorities amongst portfolio of projects.
- Technical Ability
- Expert level knowledge of at least one technology (eg, architecture, design).
- Understands multiple projects in order to integrate them into business solutions.
- Articulate tech jargon and translate tech concepts to business sponsors.
Technologies/Software
- Microsoft Project
- Proficiency with Visio diagrams and decision trees
- Eclipse PM Software a plus; JIRA issue management software a plus
- Enterprise Management Systems; Financial, Human Resources, Time Tracking, Billing
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Document Management System (DMS)