Project Manager (Strategic Initiatives)

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Job Summary

The Project Manager leads and supports a diverse portfolio of small to mid-size projects, which usually impact a Line of Business (LOB) and/or functional areas and assists with strategic process improvement initiatives across the Institutional Bank. The position takes projects from planning through final implementation using standard project management, change management, risk management, and process improvement methodologies and concepts. Enables process improvement, promotes technology-driven solutions, and assists with training and communication across Institutional Bank. This role requires a hands-on approach to defining and clarifying processes whenever ambiguity exists, ensuring project teams have clear direction and consistent execution standards. The role partners closely with business leaders, IT, and cross-functional teams while maintaining a trusted-advisor relationship with stakeholders. The role is responsible for setting expectations for project stakeholders through planning activities and maintains transparency via communication and reporting channels.

Essential Function

* Lead and manage small to mid-size projects or discrete project phases from initiation through implementation, working closely with business leaders to define scope, objectives, requirements, deliverables, dependencies, and value propositions that support multiple stakeholder interests. Develop, maintain, and execute integrated project plans, including critical paths, milestones, and checkpoints, while adhering to established project management standards and methodologies (e.g., waterfall, agile, lean, Six Sigma).

* Identify ambiguous workflows or undefined processes and partner with business and IT stakeholders to define, document, standardize, and improve business processes. Analyze current-state operations and recommend technology-enabled enhancements using platforms such as SharePoint, Salesforce, and Microsoft Office 365 to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

* Lead communication and change management activities, including stakeholder communication planning, training coordination, readiness planning, and adoption support. Coordinate with cross-functional partners, subject matter experts, and technology teams to design and implement solutions, ensuring potential impacts to internal operations and external client experience are addressed.

* Identify, track, analyze, and escalate project risks, issues, dependencies, and resource needs; perform impact analysis and prioritization; and recommend and implement mitigation strategies to resolve conflicts and delivery bottlenecks.

Support business case development, project initiation activities, and governance checkpoints to drive successful execution.

* Manage project financials, including budgets, forecasts, and financial requests, and monitor resource utilization throughout the project lifecycle. Gather effort estimates, assess staffing needs, coordinate vendor engagement as required, and support vendor onboarding, performance monitoring, and offboarding activities.

* Prepare and deliver executive-ready reporting, status updates, and project communications, and build strong working relationships with stakeholders across the organization through clear, consistent, and professional communication.

* Perform other duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and/or activities may change at any time with or without notice. Comply with all KeyBank policies and procedures, including acting professionally, conducting business ethically, avoiding conflicts of interest, and acting in the best interests of Key and its clients.

Education

* Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

* OR equivalent experience (required)

Work Experience

* Minimum 3 years of project management, process improvement, or technology-enablement experience (required)

* Experience working with enterprise tools (e.g. Salesforce, Microsoft Office 365) (preferred)

* Experience supporting or leading projects in financial services is beneficial (preferred)

Licenses and Certifications

* Project Management Professional (PMP) - PMI (preferred)

* Agile, ADKAR, or related change-management certifications (preferred)

* Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (preferred)

Skills

* Extensive Experience with effective project management strategies and tactics; ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control projects, ensuring efficient utilization of technical and administrative resources to achieve project objectives (Project plans, Project charter/business case).

* Extensive Experience with effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.

* Working Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems (SIPOC, process mapping, root cause analysis (5-whys), communications/training plans, improvement plans).

* Working Knowledge of effective self-management practices; ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments as to prioritizing and time allocation.

* Working Knowledge of techniques to successfully effect change in an organization and ability to manage the successful and smooth transition from current to desired culture, practices, structure, and overall organizational environment (change-management plan & control plans).

* Working Knowledge of effective team building techniques; ability to form and manage effective teams (Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing)

* Working Knowledge of leadership practices and processes; ability to use strategies and skills to enlist others in setting, embracing and achieving objectives while having a long-term perspective of the future state of things and how to get there.

* Working Knowledge of project planning; ability to utilize a variety of specific tools and techniques for planning, estimating, resourcing and scheduling IT projects.

* Working Knowledge of project control and reporting; ability to monitor the vital signs of an IT project while managing its progress and delivery schedule.

* Working Knowledge of major tasks, deliverables, and formal application delivery methodologies; ability to utilize these in order to deliver new or enhanced applications.

* Working Knowledge of collaborative techniques and approaches; ability to promote a culture of continuous improvement and working together across functions to solve business problems and meet business goals.

Core Competencies

* Leadership and team coordination

* Cross-functional collaboration

* Strategic and critical thinking

* Adaptability and growth mindset

* Executive presence and presentation abilities

* Organizational awareness and trusted-advisor behavior

* Self-management and prioritization

* Continuous improvement mindset

* All KeyBank employees are expected to demonstrate Key's Values and abide by Key's Code of Conduct.

Physical Demands

* General Office - Prolonged sitting, ability to communicate face to face in person or on the phone with teammates and clients, frequent use of PC/laptop, occasional lifting/pushing/pulling of backpacks, computer bags up to 10 lbs.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Please click here for a list of benefits for which this position is eligible.

Key has implemented an approach to employee workspaces which prioritizes in-office presence, while providing flexible options in circumstances where roles can be performed effectively in a mobile environment.

Qualified individuals with disabilities or disabled veterans who are unable or limited in their ability to apply on this site may request reasonable accommodations by emailing HR_Compliance@keybank.com.