Strategic Project Manager

Job Number: 1912

Position Title: Strategic Project Manager

External Description:

Basic Purpose:  

The Strategic Project Manager takes ownership for the successful definition, scoping, and project management of the strategic initiatives for the Company.  Critical to this role includes working closely with the business owner and the identification of resources (both internal and external) to ensure clear understanding and agreement of the “what,” “how,” and “when” of the initiative. The role is critical to maintaining alignment around these projects and support the CEO and executive in proactively managing the decisions and tradeoffs that inevitably arise with any complicated initiative. The Strategic Project Manager must be comfortable working across organizational lines and with Senior Executive responsibly managing the interdependencies and deliverables required to successfully deliver the initiatives. Serve as an “evangelist” for the CEO to execute the strategic initiatives.

 

Principal Accountabilities:  

The Strategic Project Manager performs a wide range of duties including some or all of the following:

Scoping and planning the project

• In conjunction with the business owner/sponsor, create clarity on the goals and objectives of the initiative and the key performance indicators that will define the success and ROI of the initiative
• In conjunction with delivery resources, define the options for achieving the goals and objectives of the initiative
• Working iteratively with the business owner and delivery resources to arrive at a shared understanding of scope, the resources and time needed to deliver that scope. Drive consensus on the necessary tradeoffs between scope, resource, and time.
• Proactively work to uncover interdependencies within the broader organization and incorporate these into the scope of the initiative
• Own the detailed work plan and schedule which identifies and sequences the activities needed to successfully complete the project
• Continually manage against any actual or proposed changes to scope/resource/time and drive a shared understanding of the implications with business and delivery owners so decisions around these changes can be made in a timely and well-informed manner.   

 

Project Delivery

• Execute the project for it to be able to meet its business objectives with the planned resources and time
• Manage internal and external resources to deliver their respective initiative components. Be thoughtful and proactive around interdependencies to avoid bottlenecks and cascading delays.
• Establish a communication schedule to update stakeholders including appropriate staff in the organization on the progress of the project
• Review the quality of the work completed with the project team on a regular basis to ensure that it meets the project standards
• Continually manage against any actual or proposed changes to scope/resource/time and drive a shared understanding of the implications with business and delivery owners so decisions around these changes can be made in a timely and well-informed manner.

Control the project

• Manage the cadence and accuracy of the key project monitoring vehicles (e.g., reporting, steering committee meetings, sign offs, milestones)
• Monitor and ensure business owner is aware and approves project expenditures
• Continually manage against any actual or proposed changes to scope/resource/time and drive a shared understanding of the implications with business and delivery owners so decisions around these changes can be made in a timely and well-informed manner.

Evaluate the project

• Ensure that the project deliverables are on time, within budget and at the required level of quality
• Evaluate the outcomes of the project as established during the planning phase
• Manage post mortem process around how well project is meeting the business goals and objectives and how it did relative to planned scope/resource/time.
• Highlight potential barriers to success or opportunity to accelerate delivery.

 

Internal and External Relationships:

 

Internal:

• Initiative business owner – SVP level
• Deliver resource leadership – VPs / Sr. Directors / Directors
• Project delivery resources – various levels and cross functions

 

External:

• External vendors (through internal business owners)

 

Number of Direct Reports and Titles:

None – individual contributor

Education/Experience/Knowledge:

 

• Ideally a highly pedigreed educational background with an MBA from a top 10 program
• Intellectually curious and can navigate complex information systems and mine relevant data
• 5 - 7+ years of planning and/or project management experience
• Program Management Office experience a plus (possibly in a consulting environment)
• Responsibility: Sense of ownership and commitment to effectively deliver an initiative
• Proactively oriented: Inclined to seek out the people, answers, decisions necessary as soon as their need becomes apparent. Confidence to initiate a collaboration vs. waiting for it to happen
• Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problem, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness
• Lead: Positively influence others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the organization.
• Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions, which are timely, and in the best interests of the organization.
• Organize: ensure priorities are addressed, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details/data/information/activities.
• Plan: support the strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement actions plans, and evaluate the process and results.
• Solve Problems: Identify problem situations with root causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.
• Strong project management / large scale change management experience

 

 

City:

State:

Community / Marketing Title: Strategic Project Manager

Company Profile:

Talbots is a leading omni-channel specialty retailer of women's clothing, shoes and accessories. Established in 1947, the company is known for modern classic style that's both timeless and timely, fine quality craftsmanship and gracious service. At Talbots relationships are the key to our business, we hire individuals who bring new ideas to the table, understand smart risk taking and  can enhance an already thriving culture.  With a commitment to offer modern classic style for every body type, through a  full range of sizes, inclusive to every woman in your life.

EEO Employer Verbiage:

Talbots is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from diverse candidates. Hiring decisions are based upon a candidate's qualifications as they relate to the requirements of the position under consideration and are made without regard to race, sex, national origin, color, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, religion, or any other category protected by applicable law. Talbots is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to perform the essential duties of the position you are seeking or to participate in the application process please contact recruiting@talbots.com. Talbots will make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified applicants or employees, unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship on the operations of the Company’s business.

PositionType_Description: Full Time

Location_formattedLocationLong: Hingham, Massachusetts US