Senior Information Technology Project Manager

The Panther Group is seeking a W2 Contract (12 months with potential to go full time), Senior IT Project Manager to work with on of our partners in banking/finance who can immediately step into a complex enterprise IT environment, manage strategic initiatives independently, and communicate effectively with executive leadership. This is a hybrid role in Boston, minimum 2 days a week on site. You must live locally to apply.

Kind Note: This role does not permit Visas (OPT, H1b, etc.) and does not permit sponsorship now or in the future. This role does not support C2C, or third party recruiters to apply.

Requirements:

• MS Project & Azure DevOps
• PMP or CSM (highly desired)
• Has approximately 10 years of IT Project Management experience (8 years may be considered with exceptional qualifications).
• Can quickly become productive with minimal supervision.
• Is self-directed and able to learn the organization independently.
• Has a strong background leading IT projects.
• Has managed complex IT Projects.
• Has experience with initiatives such as Core Banking, ERP, data migration, IT Security, or other complex IT projects.
• Has strong Waterfall Project Management experience.
• Agile experience is a plus, but not required.
• Understands the SDLC and is comfortable partnering with Architects, Developers, and technical teams.
• Has experience within Banking, Financial Services, or another regulated industry (insurance or healthcare may be considered).

The Senior IT Project Manager is responsible for planning and managing small-to large-scale, complex, cross-functional projects from initiation through to closure, managing scope, budget, resources, timelines, milestones, deliverables, reporting, and cross-functional dependencies throughout the project lifecycle. This position requires strong project leadership, governance, stakeholder management, risk management, and project delivery expertise while ensuring project deliverables meet quality, regulatory, and compliance standards. This role is responsible for leading cross-functional teams, including external vendors and consultants, and building strong relationships with senior leadership, project sponsors, and project stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage projects through project initiation, planning, execution, control, monitoring, implementation, and closing phases.
• Lead multiple complex projects concurrently.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project schedules, budgets, and resource forecasts.
• Manage project scope, timelines, milestones, deliverables, and dependencies.
• Demonstrate executive presence and drive project governance with project sponsors and project steering committees; produce concise, executive-level reporting.
• Ensure effective project status communications from status reporting to executive-level reporting; effective risk and issue mitigation communications.
• Manage resource capacity and utilization.
• Ensure adherence to project management methodologies, SDLC processes, and governance standards.
• Ensure projects are meeting regulatory, compliance, and risk standards.
• Serve as a mentor to project management colleagues.
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts in the project management practice.

Requirements

• 10 years of project management experience as an IT project manager, senior IT project manager, or IT program manager. Experience in Banking or Financial Services is strongly preferred.
• Proven experience managing technology, business transformation, or operational projects.
• Strong knowledge of project management methodologies; e.g., Waterfall, Agile, Hybrid.
• Strong verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Experience in financial services, banking, or other regulated industries.
• PMP certification is preferred and/or Scrum Master certification is attractive.
• Experience with Microsoft Project, Microsoft Planner, Azure DevOps, and other project management tools.
• Solid understanding of industry standard SDLC, IT functions and roles.
• Solid understanding and experience with both Waterfall and Agile (Scrum) project methodologies.
• Solid understanding of Financial Services Industry and enabling systems
• Outstanding interpersonal skills that enable the motivation of teams and the ability to influence management on the need to pursue new opportunities
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills required. Ability to communicate effectively and in a timely manner with all project participants and stakeholders is crucial.
• Capable of multi-tasking and managing several initiatives at once keeping appropriate priorities in view.
• Strong collaboration skills with customers, suppliers and consultants. Maintain effective communication between information systems personnel and the users of information services and systems.
• Ability to provide a central point of contact for users to address questions, report problems, and submit requests related to Information Technology. Maintain sensitive and collaborative relationships with IT staff. Maintain cordial and effective relationships with employees, consultants, vendors, and other agencies within and outside the Bank.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

Targeted Pay Rate: $80 - $85 an hour