Senior Project Manager
The Senior Project Manager (SPM) plays a pivotal role in leading the internal day-to-day operations and delivery for a set of strategic, creative and medium-to-high complexity tactical projects, from inception to completion, within a brand or multiple brands. The SPM has expert-level project management skills which allow them to lead any type of project or program, with limited supervision, and is considered the primary internal nucleus for their projects.
Essential duties and responsibilities include :
- Full lifecycle delivery and management of complex, technical, strategic and creative projects
- Develops and actively manages project timelines, estimates, risk registers, communication plans, burn reports and change logs with minimal oversight
- Leads the estimation process and provides project budget and staff plan parameters with minimal supervision
- Leads the project timeline creation process in close partnership with internal and external stakeholders with minimal supervision
- Leads project kickoffs and status meetings
- Creates and / or reviews and distributes meeting recaps; oversees and evolves Project Managers (PM) and Project Coordinators (PC) in their ability to write actionable recaps
- In partnership with AD and GPD, develops financial forecasts for proactive financial management
- In partnership with AD, Finance and Account, facilitates monthly billing, analysis and action
- In partnership with Account Services, AD and GPD, assists with the development of annual and project-based SOWs
- In partnership with ADs and GPD, provides input to program Gantt Charts
- In partnership with Account Services, AD and GPD, assists with change order creation and management
- Actively works with project stakeholders to identify, evaluate, log, communicate and mitigate project-level risks
- Works closely with Project Management Office (PMO) leadership to identify and mitigate program-level risks
- Identifies project staff needs and works with resource managers and PCs to ensure accuracy and updates of resource plans
- Resolves conflicts, including scope, schedule, resources, budget, quality and communication with minimal oversight
- Ensures all project artifacts (FRD, BRD, etc.) are properly stored within enterprise systems (Workfront, TFS, etc.)
- Accountable for application of Intouch delivery processes and PMO standards across their projects
- Actively mentors and supports training efforts for Project Managers and Project Coordinators
- Acts as first touchpoint of escalation for Project Managers and PCs
- Keeps direct manager informed; asks for help when needed; knows when to escalate issues / concerns to leadership; brings solutions
- Participates in candidate interviews as needed
- Effectively senses team morale and understands how to address issues
- Modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias.
- All other duties as assigned
Expectations of the job include :
Travel : Less than 10%. Some travel may be required for in-person team or client meetings.Hours : 40 hours, Monday-Friday.Some teams collaborate once per week in person if located near an EVERSANA INTOUCH office location. Office locations include : Chicago, IL; Overland Park, KS; Boston, MA; New York City; and San Diego, CA.Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities include :
Bachelor's degree or equivalent education plus professional experience requiredThree to five years of experience in a PMO rolePharmaceutical or advertising experience preferred (AOR or DAOR)Advanced understanding and applications of PMO standards and processesExperience leading the delivery of complex, technology, strategy and creative based projectsAbility to develop a creative, strategic or technical heavy project planAbility to tailor and flex process to provide solutions to proactively facilitate a projectExperience leading a wide range of different functional groups and project teamsComprehension of project forecasting and reforecasting throughout lifecycle of projectExpert project and program burn analysis and remediationExcellent scope and change management tracking and adherenceComfortable with client-facing communicationStrong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to anticipate, assess and mitigate riskAbility to build trust, negotiate and influence decision-making with Account, SMEs, Clients, Partner Agencies and third-party vendorsStrong sense of ownership and accountabilityStrong decision-making and implementation, especially when faced with uncertaintyExperience working with Project Management Information Systems such as Workfront, Workfront Proof, Smartsheet, MS ProjectStrong understanding of Microsoft Office Suite, specifically ExcelLaunch experience a plusPhysical / mental demands and working environment include :
Office : While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is frequently required to reach, grasp, stand and / or sit for long periods of time (up to 90% of the shift), walk, talk and hear; occasionally required to lift and / or move up to 25 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet, with frequent interruptions and multiple demands.