SummaryThe position is responsible for successfully delivering project initiatives for the Portfolio and Project Management Group and executing business plan projects that enable the realization of the company's strategic objectives and tactical business plan goals.ResponsibilitiesThe below highlights key accountabilities for this role. It does not fully include all possible tasks expected to be performed in this role.Manages IT projects from start to finish. Projects may consist of one or a combination of implementation or customizations of commercial off-the-shelf insurance software applications, mobile/web technologies, system integrations, software upgrades, Intelligent Automation (RPA), and infrastructure (hardware).Manages up to three (3) or more projects simultaneously, depending on project complexity, duration, and lifecycle phase. The average duration of most projects is 6 – 8 months.Manages a project team of matrixed resources. Resolves challenges presented by resource and schedule availability in matrixed organizations (project team members, including the PM, are rarely 100% dedicated to a single project).Builds a project schedule in MS Project/Project Server that is effort-driven and auto-scheduled.Reconciles project team time cards from the time card system with planned hours in the project plan; investigates and resolves variances between planned and actual time reported on time cards; adjusts project task effort/duration with the project plan as necessary to maintain the correct forecast of ETC.Maintains and reconciles the project financial forecast in the project financial accounting tool; investigates and resolves variances between forecast and actual project costs. Proactively releases excess project funds if not needed or requests additional funding when necessary due to requested baseline changes.Prepares an Initial Charter that describes the project scope, schedule, budget, and deliverables at a high level and defines the target date and cost to complete the project Planning phase.Prepares an Amended Charter describing the committed project scope, schedule, budget, and deliverables after completing project planning activities (detailed requirements and design). Adjust estimates made in the Initial Charter as necessary due to discoveries made in Planning.Utilizes established Project Change Request processes to manage proactively all requests to change the approved baseline of a project.Accurately follows all documented PPM processes, procedures, and templates.Anticipates, identifies, and manages project risks, issues, assumptions, and decisions; escalates appropriately and promptly.Monitors and controls the Execution (coding, testing) phases; works with QA Lead to secure all testing environments; ensures a test plan and strategy is in place for QA testing; may act as the coordinator for UAT planning and execution activities.Prepares deployment (implementation) plan in collaboration with the project team; ensures all necessary approvals have been obtained to migrate project solution from lower environments to production.Ensures appropriate preparation and execution of service transition activities from development teams to operations teams.Monitors and controls post-implementation acceptance of the project; manages support activities for the new solution for at least 30 business days (warranty period).Accurately closes the project by preparing a Project Close Summary Report and completing the project plan in the PPM tool.Prepares twice-monthly project status reports for each assigned project that explains project progress.Meets regularly with the project team(s), business sponsors/stakeholders, portfolio manager(s), and PPM Delivery Manager (PM's direct manager), and monthly with the AVP of PPM Delivery and Operations or as required by the project workload.QualificationsThe descriptions below describe typical experience and skills needed for the roles but do not guarantee placement. Actual placement will be determined after the candidate is interviewed. These items are not of order or importance.5 to 7+ years of current project management experience delivering IT projects with a minimum budget of $150K.Has successfully delivered IT projects from start to finish with timelines of less than 1 year.Familiar with or has used effort-driven project planning techniques in MS Project.Demonstrates high levels of capability in all project management competencies, including planning, executing, monitoring, and controlling IT projects.Experience with MS Project 2016 is required; MS Project Server is desired but not required.Experience managing vendors, requesting and executing SOWs.Demonstrates a personal sense of urgency to complete day-to-day work. Must drive for results from self and project team members. Must know when to push back on perceived limitations and when to be flexible and accept the limitations.Exercises strong leadership capabilities; presents "executive presence"—especially when delivering difficult messages to stakeholders and leaders; calm and collected under pressure; takes accountability for the entire project and outcomes.Demonstrates strong customer focus; is responsive, consultative, collaborative, and accurate in work approach. Considers project impacts and outcomes from the business (customer's) perspective.PMP credential in good standing or plans to obtain PMP within 12 monthsExperience directly managing and forecasting project financials (reconciling invoices, timekeeping, etc.)Able to create clear, concise messaging at all organizational levels.Exercises sound judgment, making informed, successful decisions from complex options.
