Project Manager

Job Tittle: Project Manager Location: 2 days onsite in Cleveland ideally. Albany/Buffalo acceptable also
Duration: 6 + Month contract

Job Summary:

The Project Manager leads a portfolio of small to mid-size projects impacting a Line of Business (LOB) and/or functional teams, with a focus on disciplined execution, clear communication, and strong stakeholder alignment. This role takes projects from initiation through implementation using standard project management, change management, and process improvement methodologies.

Success in this role is driven less by niche technical expertise and more by **strong communication, organization, and the ability to operate autonomously**.

The Project Manager acts as a trusted advisor to business and technology stakeholders, maintains transparency through consistent reporting, and ensures workstreams stay on track using **JIRA as the system of record for all project and task management**.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

* Lead and manage small to mid-size projects or discrete project phases from initiation through implementation, independently owning scope, timelines, deliverables, dependencies, and outcomes.

* Develop, maintain, and execute integrated project plans using JIRA, including milestones, critical paths, risks, issues, and dependencies.

* Use JIRA for all project tracking, reporting, and workflow management; ensure structured and consistent usage across project teams.

* Partner with business leaders, IT, and cross-functional teams to clarify ambiguous processes, define requirements, and document standardized workflows.

* Apply standard project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, Lean, Six Sigma) as appropriate to the work.

* Lead communication and change management activities, including stakeholder alignment, status updates, leadership reporting, training coordination, and adoption readiness.

* Identify, assess, track, and escalate risks, issues, and delivery constraints; proactively recommend and implement mitigation strategies.

* Coordinate with internal teams and external vendors as needed, supporting onboarding, performance tracking, and delivery oversight.

* Manage multiple concurrent workstreams while maintaining organization, prioritization, and delivery discipline.

* Prepare executive-ready status reports and ensure leadership maintains clear visibility into progress, risks, and next steps.

Tools & Methodology

• JIRA (Required):**
• Primary system for project, task, and dependency tracking
• JIRA fluency is a **top differentiator and a requirement for success**
• Experience with structured tracking, workflows, and program increments is highly beneficial
• Exposure to Agile environments and standard project management methodologies
• Familiarity with collaboration and productivity tools (e.g., Microsoft Office 365, SharePoint)

Must-Haves

* Strong communication skills (written and verbal) **most critical success factor**

* Proven ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously

* Experience leading projects independently with minimal oversight

* Hands-on experience using **JIRA** for project and task management

* Ability to operate autonomously while keeping leadership informed and aligned

Preferred / Nice-to-Haves

* Experience with HR applications or HR technology initiatives

* Financial services industry background

* SaaS implementation or technology enablement experience

* Certifications preferred:

* PMP

* Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt or higher)

* Agile or Change Management certifications (e.g., ADKAR)

Role Characteristics

* Standard Project Manager profile with no unusual or deep technical requirements

* Success is driven by **personality, communication, organization, and follow-through**

* Well-suited for a PM who is comfortable:

* Owning work end-to-end

* Managing ambiguity

* Keeping stakeholders and leadership aligned without constant oversight

Education & Experience:

* Bachelor s degree preferred or equivalent professional experience required

* Minimum of 3 years of project management, process improvement, or technology-enabled project experience

* Experience in financial services or enterprise environments is beneficial but not required