Senior Project Manager

Job Summary:

The Senior Project Manager oversees high-priority projects, which often require considerable resources and high levels of functional integration. Manages projects from original concept through final implementation. Interfaces with all affected areas of the project, including end-users, distributors, and vendors. Ensures adherence to quality standards and reviews project deliverables. May communicate with senior level management regarding the status of specific projects.

The Northwestern University Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing (ISGMH; http://www.isgmh.northwestern.edu) is a university-wide institute dedicated to fostering research that improves the health and wellbeing of the sexual and gender minority communities. It currently has multiple NIH- and foundation-funded studies and actively collaborates with community-based organizations to conduct research and translate findings into interventions. It is directed by Dr. Brian Mustanski.

This is a one-year term position with opportunity for rehire based on performance and available funding.

Specific Responsibilities: 

Strategic Planning

• Manages the initiation, planning, execution, monitoring/controlling and closing of Information Technology (IT) and related virtual and physical infrastructure projects in support of organizational area's strategic objectives and ongoing operations.
• Collaborates with project leadership to determine and document project objectives, scope, approach, resource requirements, budget, metrics, key performance indicators and stakeholders.
• Collaborates with project leadership to define project tasks, milestones, and deliverables that meet stated project objectives and conform to initiative methodology standards.

Administration

• Prepares and presents comprehensive project scope and definition documents.
• Develops and maintains project schedules, and ensures appropriate planning measures are taken including adjusting assignments as necessary to accommodate new issues, scope changes, new work estimates and/or resource availability constraints.
• Maintains and analyzes actual costs, time and scope to ensure delivery against the plan.
• Analyzes short- and long-term resource needs and recommends and/or adjusts staffing and resources appropriately.
• Monitors and communicates progress, revising task timelines and effort estimates based on project team members task-specific status updates.
• Develops communication plan for key messages, project updates, and key decisions that will be used throughout the project.

Development

• Oversees good software development and project management practices for each of the project teams.
• Communicates and promulgates software development tracking standards and project management procedures to project team members.
• Specifies, oversees, and conducts the quality assurance process that will ensure the overall quality and continual improvement of the project deliverables.
• Creates detailed bug reports, triages bugs, and troubleshoots developed application with end users
• Designs or oversees the design of detailed prototypes and mock-ups

Performance

• Develops and maintains risk analyses process, risk mitigation strategy process, and issue logs for the project.

Supervises

• Provides work direction and/or supervises staff such as team members, subordinates, contractors, vendors, students, etc.
• Recommends staff hires/terminations.
• Coaches and mentors staff.
• Manages projects ensuring timelines and deliverables are met and meet expectations.

Other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 4 years managing Information Technology (IT) and related virtual and physical infrastructureprojects or other relevant experience required.
• Experience in the following: 
  • Infrastructure: Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, Box Collaborative Storage, Mac OS X Operating System, Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Lync, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access, Outlook), Microsoft SharePoint
  • Compliance: HIPAA, IRB
  • Analytical: critical thinking, decision making, judgment, problem solving, Troubleshooting
  • Project: budgeting, agile environment, Code documentation, collaboration and teamwork, cost/benefit analysis, evaluate resources, facilitate collaboration, functional documentation, iterative & incremental development, organizational skills, planning, Scrum project framework, workflow development & documentation, write proposals and project charters

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Strong project coordination skills and the ability to prioritize tasks.
• Effective time management skills
• Efficient and resourceful in problem-solving.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to adhere to instructions/procedures.
• Good communication skills; demonstrated effective spoken and written communication.
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of the work, possessing initiative, and good follow-through.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge and interest in LGBTQ issues.

As per Northwestern University policy, this position requires a criminal background check. Successful applicants will need to submit to a criminal background check prior to employment.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.