IT Project Leader II

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The IT Project Leader II is responsible for delivering technology projects addressing complex business needs. With responsibility for multiple concurrent projects, the PL II manages the end to end project lifecycle ensuring timeliness, cost effectiveness, and quality. Working closely with stakeholders in the IT, HR, and regulatory areas, this individual participates in project management activities including requirements definition, project scoping, risk management, budget management, and resource allocation. The PL II will ensure that projects are executed in alignment to Darden's SDLC methodology and technical architecture standards.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plan and manage concurrent IT projects. Ensure each project's goals and objectives are achieved within the prescribed time frames and budgets

• Develop and maintain detailed project work plans, regularly assessing progress to keep projects on schedule and within budget

• Collaborate with stakeholders in the IT and HR teams to understand regulatory requirements, project priorities, risk, and resource needs

• Adhere to Darden's SDLC and technology architecture principles and standards. Ensure thorough planning to meet project demands leveraging multiple methodologies (waterfall, agile, and SAAS projects)

• Manage project budgets from estimating through project closeout, identifying variances and providing accurate estimates to completion.

• Review project measurements to identify problem areas and address them effectively

• Maintain effective communication throughout the project lifecycle: Analyze, discuss, and resolve issues promptly

• Identify risk mitigation steps and recommend actions to address project issues, ensuring risks are managed to closure

REQUIRED OR PREFERRED TECHNICAL SKILLS:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in business process management and functional requirements analysis

• Minimum of 3 years of experience leading IT projects in the corporate systems space, preferably HRIS

• Experience and demonstrated competency in managing resources, tasks, contracts, scope, and budgets for projects in the context of large, enterprise-wide technology initiatives

• Strong analytical and product management skills including a thorough understanding of how to interpret business needs and translate them into functional business requirements, application, and operational requirements

• Awareness of core Human Resources practices, tools, and principles

• Experience leading technical solution design and developing detailed project plans including allocation/scheduling of tasks for project team members

• Experience and demonstrated competency with project management and workflow design tools

• Experience managing enterprise software implementation projects (both packaged software and custom-development projects)

• Experience in managing projects developed under agile and waterfall methodologies.

• Experience working with offshore teams

OTHER KEY QUALIFICATIONS:

• Solid project management skills with ability to multitask and manage multiple high impact projects in a cross-functional environment

• Strong organizational and planning skills

• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate staff; ability to work in a team-oriented environment

• Demonstrated ability and willingness to adapt to changing priorities and/or projects

• Strong interpersonal skills

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact professionally with a diverse group of people at all levels of the organization

• Strong analysis, problem-solving, and decision-making skills

• Proven ability to effectively prioritize and address multiple and simultaneous challenges

• Demonstrated preference for taking initiative and ownership of projects and key deliverables

• Demonstrated ability to learn and understand internal stakeholder's priorities, challenges, methods, and processes

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Functional knowledge of Human Resources concepts and best practices

• PMP Certification or equivalent

REQUIRED or PREFERRED EDUCATION:

• BS/BA in MIS, Computer Science, Business or Mathematics

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