Project Manager, Chicago, IL

/in /by

We are looking for a Project Manager for a direct hire position located in Chicago, IL.

Summary:

We are looking for a highly skilled Project Manager with solid experience in PMO frameworks. This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about delivering successful projects while contributing to the overall project governance within a PMO structure.
________________________________________

Responsibilities:

1. Project Planning & Execution:
o Lead and manage end-to-end project delivery from initiation through planning, execution, and closure.
o Develop and maintain detailed project plans, including scope, schedule, budget, and resource allocation.
o Coordinate cross-functional teams and resources to ensure timely and quality delivery of project milestones.
2. PMO Governance & Standards:
o Collaborate with the PMO to align projects with established PMO methodologies, processes, and tools.
o Ensure adherence to project management standards, best practices, and quality assurance guidelines.
o Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of PMO processes and templates to improve project delivery.
3. Stakeholder Communication & Reporting:
o Serve as the primary point of contact for project stakeholders, ensuring clear and effective communication.
o Provide regular updates to senior management and the PMO on project status, risks, and issues.
o Prepare detailed project reports, dashboards, and presentations for executive leadership and clients.
4. Risk and Issue Management:
o Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate project risks and issues.
o Lead the resolution of project challenges, working closely with cross-functional teams to develop action plans and contingency strategies.
5. Resource and Budget Management:
o Track project progress, manage project budgets, and ensure resource utilization aligns with project requirements.
o Coordinate resource allocation with department leads to ensure the right resources are assigned to projects.
6. Process Improvement:
o Contribute to the optimization of PMO processes, tools, and systems to improve project efficiency.
o Share best practices and lessons learned from previous projects to foster continuous improvement within the PMO.
7. Mentorship and Team Leadership:
o Provide guidance to junior project managers or team members, fostering an environment of growth and learning.
o Support team members in navigating project challenges and developing their project management capabilities.
________________________________________

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Project Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience as a Project Manager, with a proven track record of successfully managing projects.
• 5+ years of experience working within a PMO environment, with familiarity in PMO tools, templates, and governance.
• Strong understanding of Project Management methodologies such as Agile, Waterfall, or Hybrid.
• Experience with project management software such as Microsoft Project, JIRA, Asana, or similar.
• PMP (Project Management Professional) or PRINCE2 certification is a plus.
________________________________________

Desired Skills:

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships at all levels.
• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and multitasking abilities.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of financial management and budgeting for large-scale projects.
• Experience with Azure DevOps