IT Project Manager - Contract

Title: IT Project Manager

Location: Chicago, IL 60604 - (Hybrid 4 days in, 1 day remote)

Contract: 6-9 month initial duration with high likelihood of extension

Overview

Our client is seeking an IT Project Manager who will be responsible for being the link between the business and IT side. This person will be tasked with the successful planning, execution, and delivery of a transformational project, which will involve software development, infrastructure rollouts, and cybersecurity controls.

They will serve as the critical link between business goals and technical execution, ensuring that the project is completed on time, within budget, and according to technical requirements.

Responsibilities

• Project Planning: Defining project scope, setting realistic goals, creating detailed milestones, and developing timelines and work plans
• Team Leadership: Directing technical staff, assigning daily tasks, and fostering collaboration across cross-functional teams (e.g., developers, engineers, and stakeholders).
• Risk & Issue Management: Identifying potential technical risks (such as system downtime or security threats), developing mitigation plans, and resolving roadblocks as they arise
• Stakeholder Communication: Serving as the primary point of contact for executives and clients, providing regular status reports, and translating technical jargon into clear business updates.
• Process Improvement: Make teams more efficient by streamlining workflows and enabling team members to focus on execution
• Project Closeout: Finalizing documentation, archiving work, and conducting retrospective reviews to identify lessons learned for future initiatives

Qualifications

• 5+ years of IT project or program management experience.
• Strong understanding of software development lifecycles (SDLC), IT infrastructure, cloud technologies, and enterprise technology environments.
• Experience managing projects using Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, Kanban, or similar methodologies.
• Excellent leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with project management tools such as Jira, Confluence, and Microsoft Suite.
• Experience with Databricks is a plus.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Administration, or a related field.
• PMP, CSM, or similar project management certifications are preferred but not required.