IT Project Manager I

Title Senior IT Project Manager
Location: Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Contract: 12+ Months (Possible of extension)
Shift: 1st Shift (Standard Hours)
Schedule (Hybrid) 2 to 3 days onsite.

Job Description:
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Project Manager to lead and manage complex projects from initiation through completion. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of managing large-scale projects, coordinating cross-functional teams, and ensuring timely delivery within Product and budget.

Key Responsibilities:
1. Project Planning & Execution:
o Develop detailed project plans, schedules, and budgets, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
o Coordinate resources, teams, and stakeholders to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and according to Product.
o Monitor and track project progress, making adjustments as needed to keep the project on track.
2. Team Leadership & Collaboration:
o Lead and mentor project teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.
o Assign tasks, set clear expectations, and provide guidance to team members.
o Ensure effective communication between all stakeholders, including internal teams, vendors, and clients.
3. Risk & Issue Management:
o Identify and proactively address potential risks, obstacles, and issues.
o Develop and implement mitigation strategies to minimize impact on project timelines and deliverables.
4. Stakeholder Management:
o Communicate effectively with senior leadership, clients, and other stakeholders on project status, risks, and outcomes.
o Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders to ensure project success.
5. Quality Assurance:
o Ensure deliverables meet quality standards and client expectations.
o Lead efforts to continuously improve project management processes and methodologies.
6. Budget & Resource Management:
o Oversee project budgets, ensuring that all financial aspects are tracked and managed.
o Ensure resource allocation is optimized for project success.
7. Project Reporting:
o Prepare and present regular status reports to management and stakeholders.
o Track project performance and provide recommendations for improvements when necessary.

Qualifications:
Bachelor s degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field (MBA or PMP certification is a plus).
8+ years of experience in project management, with at least 3 years in a senior or leadership role.
Proven ability to manage complex, high-value projects with cross-functional teams.
Strong knowledge of project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, etc.) and best practices.
Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Strong financial and budget management experience.
Proficiency in project management software (e.g., MS Project, JIRA, Asana, etc.).

Preferred Skills:
PMP (Project Management Professional) certification or equivalent.
Experience in managing projects in [specific industry].
Knowledge of Agile and Scrum methodologies.