Project Manager - Networking

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly capable Contract Project Manager with strong enterprise experience to plan, execute, and deliver complex initiatives across cross‑functional teams. The ideal candidate brings a solid grounding in PMI / PMP project management methodologies, hands‑on experience managing enterprise‑scale projects, and the ability to communicate clearly and confidently at all organizational levels, including executive (C‑suite) leadership.

This role requires a balance of delivery rigor, stakeholder leadership, and practical execution in environments where scope, priorities, and constraints may evolve over time.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning & Execution

• Lead end‑to‑end project delivery using PMI‑aligned methodologies (Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling, Closing)
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, schedules, milestones, and dependencies
• Define project scope, success criteria, and deliverables in partnership with business and technical stakeholders
• Proactively manage project constraints including scope, schedule, cost, risk, and quality
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within approved scope, and to stakeholder expectations

Stakeholder & Communication Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for project stakeholders across technical, operational, and business teams
• Communicate project status, risks, issues, and dependencies clearly and effectively at all levels of the organization
• Prepare and deliver concise, executive‑level updates for senior leadership and C‑suite audiences
• Facilitate meetings, workshops, and working sessions to drive alignment and decision‑making
• Manage stakeholder expectations and resolve conflicts through clear communication and structured escalation

Risk, Issue, and Change Management

• Identify, assess, and actively manage project risks, issues, assumptions, and dependencies (RAID)
• Develop mitigation and contingency plans for high‑impact risks
• Manage scope changes through formal change control processes, assessing impact and gaining appropriate approvals
• Ensure transparency and accountability for risk ownership and resolution

Governance & Reporting

• Establish and enforce appropriate project governance, cadence, and reporting standards
• Provide accurate and timely project status reports, dashboards, and metrics
• Ensure documentation is complete, current, and auditable throughout the project lifecycle
• Support portfolio‑level reporting and leadership reviews as required

Collaboration & Leadership

• Work effectively with distributed, cross‑functional teams including engineering, operations, vendors, and business partners
• Influence without authority by building trust, credibility, and strong working relationships
• Coach team members on project expectations, timelines, and deliverables
• Promote a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement

Required Qualifications

• 5 years of project management experience in an enterprise environment
• Strong working knowledge of PMI / PMP project management methodologies (certification preferred but not required)
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, cross‑functional projects
• Proven experience communicating effectively with:
• Individual contributors
• Managers and directors
• Senior leaders and C‑suite executives
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational, planning, and time‑management capabilities
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage ambiguity in fast‑paced environments
• Proficiency with modern project management and collaboration tools (e.g., Smartsheet, Jira, MS Project, or similar)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience delivering projects within large, matrixed organizations
• Familiarity with infrastructure, IT, managed services, or technology‑driven initiatives
• Experience producing executive dashboards and status reports
• Background working in contract or consulting engagements
• Strong facilitation and presentation skills
• Ability to deliver projects from inception to closure

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking with strong execution discipline
• Stakeholder leadership and influence
• Problem‑solving and analytical thinking
• Attention to detail with big‑picture awareness
• Professional confidence and executive presence
• Calm, structured approach under pressure