Project Manager

Cognizant•Santa Clara, CA

11h•$99,000 - $115,000

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead cross-functional teams and drive strategic initiatives from conception through successful completion. This role is critical for ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet quality standards while aligning with organizational objectives. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, excellent communication abilities, and a proven track record of managing complex projects across multiple departments. You will serve as the primary point of contact for stakeholders and be responsible for coordinating resources, managing timelines, and mitigating risks throughout the project lifecycle. About Cognizant’s CIS Practice: Cognizant’s CIS (Cognizant Infrastructure Services) Practice is a global leader in providing IT infrastructure services. We deliver innovative solutions to optimize and transform IT infrastructure, ensuring business agility and operational efficiency. Our services include cloud computing, data center management, network services, and cybersecurity. We focus on understanding client needs and delivering customized solutions to drive business success.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Management, or related field
Minimum 3-5 years of project management experience
Proficiency in project management software (MS Project, Asana, Jira, etc.)
Familiarity with data analysis and reporting tools
Understanding of Agile and Waterfall methodologies
Excellent organizational and time management skills
Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities
Adaptability and flexibility in dynamic environments
Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills
Customer service orientation and stakeholder management

Nice To Haves

Master's degree or MBA preferred
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification highly preferred
Additional certifications in Agile, Scrum, or PRINCE2 advantageous

Responsibilities

Define project scope, objectives, and deliverables in collaboration with stakeholders
Develop comprehensive project plans with clear timelines, milestones, and resource requirements
Conduct feasibility studies and risk assessments for new project initiatives
Align projects with broader business strategy and organizational goals
Lead cross-functional project teams of 5-15 members across various departments
Coordinate and motivate team members to achieve project objectives
Facilitate team meetings, resolve conflicts, and maintain productive team dynamics
Delegate tasks effectively based on team members' skills and availability
Coach and mentor team members to enhance their professional development
Monitor expenditures and track costs against approved budgets
Allocate resources efficiently across multiple concurrent projects
Negotiate contracts with vendors and external service providers
Ensure optimal utilization of human and material resources
Identify potential project risks early and develop mitigation strategies
Implement contingency plans to minimize impact on project outcomes
Establish quality standards and testing protocols for deliverables
Conduct regular project reviews and performance assessments
Ensure compliance with organizational standards and industry regulations
Provide regular status updates to executive leadership and key stakeholders
Facilitate stakeholder meetings and ensure alignment on project priorities
Communicate project changes, impacts, and recommendations effectively
Prepare comprehensive project reports and executive dashboards
Manage client relationships and expectations throughout project duration
Analyze project performance metrics and identify optimization opportunities
Implement best practices and standardized processes across project teams
Maintain detailed project documentation and lessons learned repositories
Contribute to the development of project management methodologies
Support organizational change management initiatives