Lead Technology Project Manager

CIBC • Chicago, IL

1d • $140,000 - $160,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

We’re building a relationship-oriented bank for the modern world. We need talented, passionate professionals who are dedicated to doing what’s right for our clients. At CIBC, we embrace your strengths and your ambitions, so you are empowered at work. Our team members have what they need to make a meaningful impact and are truly valued for who they are and what they contribute. To learn more about CIBC, please visit CIBC.com Summary: The US TI&I (Technology, Infrastructure and Innovation) Project Intake and Portfolio Management team plays a key role in driving the Technology organization’s mandate to Run, Protect and Transform. Ensuring successful on-time delivery of projects within budget and scope is critical to the ongoing success of the team and the business overall. Success requires hiring diverse and talented people who are equipped with the right project management skills, technical acumen, passion and drive to successfully deliver technology solutions. CIBC works to help you make your ambitions a reality with a team that is committed to being always professional, genuinely caring and collaborates to find simple solutions as we build our relationship-focused bank for the modern world. Every year, CIBC is recognized for its business success, community commitment and employee initiatives. We are proud of this success and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and an environment where all of our team members can excel. What you will do The Technology Project Manager Lead role reports to the Managing Director, US TI&I Project Intake and Portfolio Management. The primary goal of this position is to provide day-to-day leadership to a team of Project Managers while also supporting delivery execution, portfolio visibility, and continuous improvement across the US TI&I project portfolio. In this role, you will manage a blend of direct and matrixed (dotted-line) reporting relationships across the team and will work closely with the Managing Director to ensure consistent project execution, standards adoption, and stakeholder communication. 1. People Leadership & Coaching Lead and develop PMs through day-to-day coaching, guidance, problem-solving support, and performance feedback aligned to PMO expectations. Establish operating rhythms for the PM team (e.g., stand-ups, delivery reviews, risk/issue deep dives, reporting cadences). Support onboarding and ramp-up for new PMs (employee and contingent), ensuring consistent adoption of PMO tools, templates, and delivery standards. Identify capability gaps across the team and recommend training, job aids, or process enhancements to improve outcomes. 2. PMO Standards, Processes & Templates (Authority Role) Serve as a subject matter expert on US TI&I project management processes, standards, templates, and delivery expectations. Ensure adherence to established project management methodology (waterfall and/or agile as appropriate), required artifacts, and governance controls. Provide hands-on support to PMs in developing high-quality project plans, RAID logs, status reporting, change control, and stakeholder communications. Drive continuous improvement by identifying recurring delivery issues and implementing pragmatic changes to templates, processes, and ways of working. 3. Portfolio & Delivery Support Maintain familiarity with the portfolio of projects managed by the PM team, including scope, milestones, key dependencies, delivery health, and key risks. Provide hands-on delivery support for critical initiatives (e.g., shaping plans, resolving blockers, facilitating escalations, supporting recovery plans). Facilitate escalation and resolution of cross-project risks, issues, and dependencies, partnering with technology, operations, and business stakeholders. Support resource and capacity visibility across the PM team and provide input to staffing decisions and prioritization discussions. 4. Stakeholder Management, Status & Reporting Support the Managing Director by providing portfolio-level status insights, trend themes, and proactive recommendations. Help ensure PMs deliver clear, concise, and consistent updates to stakeholders and leadership (status reports, dashboards, meeting minutes, and presentations). Prepare or review executive-ready communications that summarize progress, decisions needed, risks/issues, and next steps—backed by data. 5. Broader Organizational Support Provide support and light-touch oversight to other PMs outside the direct team (peer PMs in the broader organization), including guidance on standards, reporting expectations, and delivery best practices. Promote alignment and consistency across PMs to strengthen execution discipline and transparency across the broader portfolio. How you will succeed Skillset – You leverage strong project management leadership and technology delivery experience to support teams delivering technically complex initiatives. Leadership – You set clear expectations, coach effectively, and create an environment where PMs can perform at their best. Judgment – You know when to dive into detail and when to simplify, escalate, or drive decisions to keep projects moving. Collaboration – You’re motivated by collective success. You build durable partnerships with PMs, delivery teams, and stakeholders across TI&I and the business. Work Ethic – You’re motivated by accomplishing your goals and make a difference by putting forth your best. Values – You bring your real self to work, live our values of trust, teamwork, and accountability, and model the behaviors expected of a PMO leader. Who you are

Requirements

• Minimum of 8 years of project management experience, including successful delivery of medium-to-large initiatives (technology and/or operations).
• Demonstrated experience leading or mentoring PMs (directly or through matrix leadership), including coaching, quality oversight, and performance feedback.
• Proven experience delivering projects using waterfall and/or agile methodologies (hybrid experience is a plus).
• Strong knowledge of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and comfort operating in a technology organization.
• Experience in a banking or financial institution (or similarly regulated environment), with an understanding of delivery expectations, risk considerations, and governance practices.
• Exceptional communication skills (written and oral), with the ability to translate complex delivery details into simple, structured leadership updates.
• Strong organization and prioritization skills; able to manage multiple competing priorities and support multiple PMs simultaneously.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; able to identify patterns across projects and drive actions that improve outcomes.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and drive alignment through clarity, data, and relationship-building.
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook, SharePoint).
• College degree required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with large-scale project management systems/tools in an enterprise environment; Planview project management software experience a plus.
• Professional certification preferred (e.g., PMP or Prince2).

Responsibilities

• People Leadership & Coaching Lead and develop PMs through day-to-day coaching, guidance, problem-solving support, and performance feedback aligned to PMO expectations.
• Establish operating rhythms for the PM team (e.g., stand-ups, delivery reviews, risk/issue deep dives, reporting cadences).
• Support onboarding and ramp-up for new PMs (employee and contingent), ensuring consistent adoption of PMO tools, templates, and delivery standards.
• Identify capability gaps across the team and recommend training, job aids, or process enhancements to improve outcomes.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on US TI&I project management processes, standards, templates, and delivery expectations.
• Ensure adherence to established project management methodology (waterfall and/or agile as appropriate), required artifacts, and governance controls.
• Provide hands-on support to PMs in developing high-quality project plans, RAID logs, status reporting, change control, and stakeholder communications.
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying recurring delivery issues and implementing pragmatic changes to templates, processes, and ways of working.
• Maintain familiarity with the portfolio of projects managed by the PM team, including scope, milestones, key dependencies, delivery health, and key risks.
• Provide hands-on delivery support for critical initiatives (e.g., shaping plans, resolving blockers, facilitating escalations, supporting recovery plans).
• Facilitate escalation and resolution of cross-project risks, issues, and dependencies, partnering with technology, operations, and business stakeholders.
• Support resource and capacity visibility across the PM team and provide input to staffing decisions and prioritization discussions.
• Support the Managing Director by providing portfolio-level status insights, trend themes, and proactive recommendations.
• Help ensure PMs deliver clear, concise, and consistent updates to stakeholders and leadership (status reports, dashboards, meeting minutes, and presentations).
• Prepare or review executive-ready communications that summarize progress, decisions needed, risks/issues, and next steps—backed by data.
• Provide support and light-touch oversight to other PMs outside the direct team (peer PMs in the broader organization), including guidance on standards, reporting expectations, and delivery best practices.
• Promote alignment and consistency across PMs to strengthen execution discipline and transparency across the broader portfolio.

Benefits

• At CIBC, we offer a competitive total rewards package.
• This role has an expected salary range of $140,000.00 - $160,000.00 for the market based on experience, qualifications, and location of the position.
• The successful candidate may be eligible to participate in the relevant business unit’s incentive compensation plan, which may also include a discretionary bonus component.
• CIBC offers a full range of benefits and programs to meet our employee’s needs; including Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account, Life Insurance, Disability, and Other Insurance Plans, Paid Time Off (including Sick Leave, Parental Leave and Vacation), Holidays and 401(k), in addition to other special perks reserved for our team members.
• banking benefits
• a benefits program
• a vacation offering
• wellbeing support
• MomentMakers, our social, points-based recognition program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees