Project Manager

Our client, a university in Boston, is in need of a talented individual to fill the role of a long-term contract Project Manager. The Project manager role is to lead, oversee and ensure the successful delivery and management of multiple projects within scope, quality, time and cost constraints that may be clearly defined or may require dynamic change management in order to deliver business value.

This role is a hybrid position and requires coming into the Boston office 3 days a week. The role is expected to last for 12 months.

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, information systems or related field; project management and/or general business management, or equivalent related IT experience. PM training and certification desirable

Experience

• Five to seven years of IT experience, with sensitivity and commitment to business problem solving.
• A minimum of three years of demonstrated competency in a project management role involving the execution of multiple projects or a large project.
• Three or more years of BU (Business Unit) or BU-facing experience, with sensitivity and commitment to business problem solving, evaluating potential risks and their impacts on the project requires strong analytical skills.
• Demonstrated experience in leading a team, communicating clearly and concisely, ensuring that all team members and stakeholders understand project objectives, tasks, and updates.
• Demonstrated experience and ability in successfully utilizing “soft skills” or “people skills”. Handling conflicts within the team and among stakeholders diplomatically.
• Demonstrated experience and ability handling multiple projects simultaneously successfully, still meeting all project deliverables, milestones and timelines with high quality and managing the project within budget.

Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to lead and motivate others; demonstrating empathy and knowledge of personality types.
• Familiar with project management methodologies (ex: PMI and agile).
• Strong analytical skills analyzing complex problems and developing effective solutions, evaluating potential risks and their impacts on the project.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to working in a political environment and to interacting with senior leadership.
• Knowledge of project planning tools, such as MS Project, Smartsheet and ServiceNow.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; expertise in setting and managing customer expectations. Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely, ensuring that all team members and stakeholders understand project objectives, tasks, and updates.
• Distinctive blend of business, IT, financial and communication skills, as this is a highly visible position with substantial impact.
• Effective influencing and negotiating skills in an environment where this role may not directly control resources.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of business needs, with the ability to establish and maintain a high level of customer trust and confidence.
• Good understanding of current and emerging technologies and how other enterprises are employing them to drive digital business.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute a project resource plan that ensures that the right people are in the right place doing the right things at the right time.
• Analyze project proposals to determine time frame, funding limitations and appropriate process for accomplishing projects.
• Identify and schedule project deliverables, milestones and required activities and tasks.
• Provide leadership and motivation to project team members throughout the project life cycle, and confer with project staff to outline work plans.
• Establish work plan and staffing for project activities, iterations or phases, and arrange for recruitment or assignment of project personnel.
• Make informed decisions quickly and efficiently, often under pressure. Handling conflicts within the team and among stakeholders diplomatically is essential for maintaining project momentum.
• Implement project communication plan.
• Perform risk assessment, and implement mitigation plans.
• Monitor project activities, ensuring the currency, quality and integrity of the information, while providing consistency in content and “look and feel” across the enterprise.
• Ensure that project goals are accomplished and in line with business objectives.
• Assign duties, responsibilities and scope of authority to project personnel.Prioritize tasks effectively to ensure that critical activities are completed on time.
• Direct and coordinate activities of project personnel to ensure project progresses on schedule and within budget.
• Establish standards and procedures for project reporting and documentation.
• Continuously benchmark project management performance to identify improvements and achieve higher capability maturity in PPM.