8705 Corporate Programs Project Manager- Rolling Meadows, IL

Position: Corporate Programs Project Manager

Contract Assignment: 5/1/2026- 12/31/2026

Location: Rolling Meadows, IL

Schedule: 40 hours a week, 1st shift hours

Pay Range: $68.03/HR, Paid Weekly

Role Summary
We are seeking an experienced Project Manager to support HR organizational projects and transformation initiatives across a complex, multi-center-of-excellence (COE) HR function. This role partners with HR leaders, COE teams, HR Business Partners, and cross-functional stakeholders to plan and deliver work that improves operating models, processes, governance, and employee/manager experience. The Project Manager brings strong change management and communications capabilities and has a track record of coordinating work across international teams and external consulting partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end project delivery for HR organizational initiatives
• Develop and maintain project plans, milestones, RAID logs (risks, assumptions, issues, dependencies), resource plans, and executive-ready status reporting.
• Facilitate stakeholder alignment across HR sub-teams/COEs (e.g., Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards/Compensation & Benefits, HR Operations/Shared Services, HRIS/People Systems, Learning & Development, Talent Management, Employee Relations, Workforce Planning/Analytics).
• Design and execute change management deliverables
• Create and manage project communications (message maps, announcements, leader talking points, FAQs, and audience-specific updates).
• Partner with external consulting teams: coordinate workplans, manage deliverables, ensure knowledge transfer, and integrate consulting outputs into sustainable internal processes.
• Drive effective governance: set agendas, run working sessions and steering committees, capture decisions, and ensure follow-through on action items.
• Coordinate across time zones and international stakeholders; establish team norms, meeting cadences, and collaboration practices to keep work moving.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 5 years of project management experience delivering cross-functional initiatives; at least 2 years focused on HR, people, or organizational projects.
• Working knowledge of how HR functions are commonly structured, including HRBPs and centers of excellence (COEs); ability to quickly learn an organization's specific HR operating model.
• Demonstrated experience supporting or leading transformation initiatives (process, operating model, technology enablement, or organizational change).
• Hands-on change management experience (e.g., Prosci/ADKAR or similar approaches), including change impact assessment, stakeholder engagement, and adoption planning.
• Strong communications experience producing clear, audience-appropriate materials for leaders and employees.
• Experience working with distributed and international teams across multiple time zones.
• Proficiency with common project tools (e.g., Microsoft Project or similar planning tools, Excel, PowerPoint) and collaboration tools (e.g., Teams).
• Excellent facilitation, organization, and problem-solving skills; ability to manage ambiguity and drive decisions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Project Management certification (PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent).
• Change Management certification (Prosci or equivalent).
• Prior experience working with external consulting firms on HR transformation and/or operating model work.
• Experience in matrixed, global organizations with multiple stakeholder groups and complex governance.
• Familiarity with organizational design concepts, role clarity/RACI development, and service delivery models.

Core Competencies

• Stakeholder management: Builds trust with HR leaders, COEs, HRBPs, and partner functions; influences without authority.
• Structured delivery: Brings rigor to planning, tracking, and reporting while staying pragmatic.
• Change leadership: Anticipates adoption barriers and drives clear actions to support lasting change.
• Executive communication: Synthesizes complex information into concise updates, recommendations, and decision points.
• Collaboration across time zones: Establishes ways of working that respect regional needs while maintaining momentum.
• Continuous improvement mindset: Uses data and feedback to refine processes and improve outcomes.

Working Conditions:

• May on occasion be exposed to loud sounds and distracting noise levels, such as from office equipment.
• The ability to lift up to 30lbs.
• Use of computers and technology

Here at Canon Recruiting, People are our priority, and we are committed to Include Diversity in every segment of who we are. It is only through our Diversity; we are made a stronger organization and increase our ability to provide top tier candidates that our clients have come to know Canon for. We have an inclusive environment all employees are celebrated for their unique differences. The different perspectives and experiences of our workforce give us the competitive advantage that is essential for success in an ever-changing market. By promoting inclusion with the same enthusiasm, we devote to quality and competency and using the experience from a diverse assortment of backgrounds and experiences, Canon is able to improve the services and value we deliver to clients, employees, and customers. At Canon, Diversification and Inclusiveness are much more than a corporate ambition; they are a critical component in our daily corporate life. Canon Recruiting is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Canon Recruiting is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. The pay range for this position is listed above. Base pay information is based on market location. We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Our range of benefits may include health care and 401(k) savings plans. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please email our HR team hr@canonrecruiting.com