HR Project Manager (Contract)

Gallagher•Rolling Meadows, IL

22h•Hybrid

About The Position

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. Please note that this is a temporary position that is anticipated to go through the end of the year. Our ideal candidate is someone who can work a hybrid schedule based out of our office in Rolling Meadows, IL. We may consider remote candidates depending on experience.

Requirements

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.

Nice To Haves

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.

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

Benefits

Medical/dental/vision plans, which start from day one!
Life and accident insurance
401(K) and Roth options
Tax-advantaged accounts (HSA, FSA)
Educational expense reimbursement
Paid parental leave
Digital mental health services (Talkspace)
Flexible work hours (availability varies by office and job function)
Training programs
Gallagher Thrive program – elevating your health through challenges, workshops and digital fitness programs for your overall wellbeing
Charitable matching gift program