Our client, a Boston-based University, is seeking a highly experienced and motivated individual to join their team as a contract Senior IT Project Manager. This role is responsible for driving the successful delivery of large-scale, complex IT projects and programs that support the university's strategic priorities.

The Full time (40 hrs a week) job is a hybrid model, with 3 days onsite at the Boston campus, and the remaining 2 days working remotely. It is expected to last a minimum of 12 months.

The Senior IT Project Manager will lead cross-functional teams, manage diverse stakeholder expectations, and ensure that all initiatives are delivered within scope, schedule, and budget-while aligning to business value and user needs.

Experience and expertise with Salesforce is critical for this position.

The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with a proven track record of managing complex strategic IT initiatives in dynamic environments. This role requires a strategic thinker who is also hands-on, with strong leadership and influencing skills.

Qualifications Education

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or a related field.
• PMP, Agile or other relevant project management certification(s) preferred.

Experience

• 8-10 years of progressive IT project management experience, including managing large, complex, cross-functional IT initiatives in matrixed organizations.
• Demonstrated experience in delivering enterprise-level technology projects, such as CRM, ERP, infrastructure, data integration, or cloud-based systems.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience engaging with business units, technical teams, and executive stakeholders to translate business needs into actionable project plans.
• Proven ability to lead diverse project teams, set direction, communicate vision, and influence outcomes without direct authority.
• Experienced in navigating organizational change, managing competing priorities, and driving projects forward in ambiguous or evolving environments.
• A strong history of using data-driven insights to guide project planning and risk management.

Knowledge and Skills

• Expert in project management methodologies, including Waterfall, Agile, and hybrid approaches.
• Proficient with project management tools such as MS Project, Smartsheet, ServiceNow, or Jira.
• Must have in-depth experience with Salesforce.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with experience presenting to senior leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships, foster collaboration, and resolve conflicts across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Deep understanding of business processes and IT alignment, with the ability to deliver measurable value.
• Skilled in resource planning and budgeting for large-scale projects.
• Self-motivated, organized, and capable of working independently in fast-paced environments.
• Good understanding of current and emerging technologies and how other enterprises are employing them to drive digital business.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of business needs, with the ability to establish and maintain a high level of customer trust and confidence.

Project Leadership & Execution

• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of multiple large and complex IT projects across departments, ensuring alignment with university priorities and strategies.
• Develop and manage detailed project plans, milestones, scope statements, budgets, timelines, and resource allocations.
• Ensure project deliverables are completed on time, within scope, and on budget while maintaining high quality standards.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement proactive mitigation strategies.
• Monitor project activities, ensuring the currency, quality and integrity of information, while providing consistency in content.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Serve as the primary liaison between technical teams, business units, and executive sponsors.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Facilitate effective communication across cross-functional teams to ensure shared understanding of objectives, progress, and changes.
• Present project updates, risks, and performance metrics to governance groups and leadership.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Provide direction and support to cross-functional project teams, including internal staff and external vendors.
• Establish clear goals and responsibilities and promote accountability across team members.
• Foster a collaborative environment that encourages innovation, ownership, and problem-solving.

Monitoring, Reporting & Financial Oversight

• Track and report on project progress, milestones, risks, issues, and financials.
• Develop and publish status reports, prepare and modify schedules or plans as required.
• Ensure post-project evaluation, lessons learned, and knowledge documentation.
• Manage project budgets responsibly, identify cost-saving opportunities, and ensure financial accountability.

Financial Measures

• Responsible for managing and reporting on project budgets, ensuring financial discipline, and identifying opportunities for cost optimization without compromising project goals.