IT Project Manager

Job Description: Project Manager – IT (Financial Services Background)
Location: Atlanta, GA
Duration: Contract
 
Department: Information Technology
Experience: 10+ Years (Minimum 3+ Years Leading IT Programs)

Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Project Manager with a strong background in Financial Services to lead planning, execution, and delivery of multiple IT programs across diverse applications. The ideal candidate will be highly proficient in Agile and Scrum methodologies, stakeholder management, risk escalation, and executive reporting.
This role requires a self-driven leader who can manage complex initiatives, drive accountability, and deliver measurable business value.

Key Responsibilities
Program & Project Leadership

• Lead planning, execution, and delivery of multiple concurrent IT programs and projects.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, timelines, budgets, and resource allocations.
• Monitor progress, proactively identify risks, and drive timely issue resolution to closure.
• Escalate risks and blockers appropriately with mitigation strategies.

• Facilitate Scrum ceremonies (Sprint Planning, Daily Stand-ups, Reviews, Retrospectives).
• Manage and maintain Scrum and Kanban boards in JIRA.
• Build and maintain JIRA dashboards and project tracking metrics.
• Partner with clients and Product Owners to manage backlog grooming and story refinement.
• Ensure user stories are well-defined with clear acceptance criteria.

• Coordinate with internal teams and external stakeholders to define scope, objectives, and deliverables.
• Provide regular status updates to senior leadership and client stakeholders.
• Create executive-ready PowerPoint presentations for steering committee meetings.
• Facilitate collaboration across business, technology, and operations teams.

• Track and report key performance metrics including milestones, budget utilization, and resource allocation.
• Prepare detailed Excel reports for project tracking and forecasting.
• Maintain transparency through structured status reporting.
• Ensure adherence to governance standards and best practices.

• Manage cross-functional project teams across multiple applications.
• Allocate and optimize resources for productivity and efficiency.
• Foster a positive, high-performance team environment.
• Be hands-on in planning and task breakdown when required.

• Conduct risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and innovation in delivery.
• Stay informed on industry trends, especially within Mortgage and Insurance technology ecosystems.

• Minimum 10+ years of IT experience
• At least 3+ years leading multiple IT programs
• Strong domain expertise in Mortgage, Insurance, and Financial Services
• Deep understanding of Agile, Scrum, and Kanban methodologies
• Expert-level experience with JIRA (Scrum boards, Kanban boards, dashboards, reporting)
• Strong risk management and escalation experience
• Experience handling multiple projects across various applications
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong stakeholder management and executive presentation skills

• PMP, CSM, or SAFe certification (preferred)
• Experience in enterprise-scale digital transformation initiatives
• Exposure to regulatory and compliance requirements within Financial Services

• Leadership & Accountability
• Strategic Thinking
• Risk & Issue Management
• Client Engagement
• Analytical & Reporting Skills
• Collaboration & Teamwork
• Innovation & Value-Driven Delivery