Job Description: Sr Project Manager
Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid)
We are looking for a Senior, hands-on Project Manager to lead financial analysis engagements for our Chicago-based client. This role requires someone who combines strong executive presence with deep, granular ownership of project deliverables — someone who can command a room with a compelling narrative and get into the weeds of scope, timelines, budgets, and financial/analytical details without relying on others to fill the gaps.
This is not a role for a PM who manages "from the balcony." We need a PM who can go a level deeper than status updates and talking points — someone who personally understands what is being built, why, and what it takes to deliver it.
Key Responsibilities
- Own end-to-end delivery of multiple concurrent financial analysis projects, from scoping through final deliverable and client sign-off.
- Translate client needs into clear, well-structured financial models, analyses, and solution narratives — and back them up with substance, not just polish.
- Build and present executive-level PowerPoint decks that articulate financial findings, project status, risks, and business value to client stakeholders.
- Develop, track, and manage project budgets, including resourcing costs, burn rate, forecasting, and variance reporting.
- Drive cross-functional teams (analysts, finance, business stakeholders) by deeply understanding the underlying financial models and deliverables — not just relaying them.
- Proactively identify risks, gaps, and inconsistencies in financial data and analysis at a granular level before they become client-facing issues.
- Manage multiple workstreams simultaneously without losing detail or accountability on any single one.
- Serve as the primary point of accountability with the Chicago client, building trust through both strategic vision and reliable execution.
What We''re Really Looking For
We''ve had challenges in the past with PMs who operate purely at a high level — strong talkers who drive projects without truly understanding the deliverables underneath. To be direct: we need the opposite of that.
The right candidate:
- Gets into the details of what''s actually being delivered (financial models, assumptions, data sources, reconciliations, acceptance criteria) rather than only discussing timelines and status at a surface level.
- Can go toe-to-toe with analysts and finance teams on scope, methodology, and feasibility, not just relay what they''re told.
- Treats budgets and deliverables as things they personally own and verify — not things they delegate and hope are correct.
- Balances passion and polish in front of clients with rigor and precision behind the scenes.
Required Qualifications
- 6+ years of Project Management experience, with demonstrated ownership of financial analysis, FP&A, or business analytics projects.
- Proven experience managing multiple concurrent projects/workstreams.
- Strong command of budget management — forecasting, tracking, variance analysis.
- Solid grounding in financial analysis fundamentals (financial modeling, variance analysis, forecasting, reporting) sufficient to engage deeply with analyst work product.
- Excellent PowerPoint/presentation skills; able to build client-ready decks independently.
- Demonstrated ability to go deep into the details of a deliverable — models, assumptions, data — not just manage from status reports.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; confident presenting to senior client stakeholders.
- PMP, CSM, or equivalent certification preferred.
- Based in or willing to work with a Chicago, IL-based client (onsite/hybrid flexibility as needed).
Nice to Have
- Background in financial consulting, FP&A, or corporate finance prior to moving into project management.
- Advanced Excel/financial modeling skills.
- Experience managing distributed/cross-functional analyst teams.
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