Project Manager

McDermott Will & Emery•Austin, NY

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Project Manager leads enterprise-wide initiatives that modernize the firm’s technology ecosystem and support AI-driven transformation. This role manages high-visibility programs involving SaaS platforms, custom applications, enterprise infrastructure, data ecosystems, integrations, platform modernization, GenAI deployments and AI-enabled capabilities to support seamless business solutions and workflow enhancements. The Project Manager partners with technology, business, innovation, and executive stakeholders to develop actionable delivery plans, communicate risks and value, evaluate competing priorities, and drive alignment across cross-functional teams. This position operates with minimal oversight and relies on significant experience, strategic judgment, and decision-making skills to plan and accomplish objectives.

Requirements

At least five (5) years of progressive project or program management experience leading enterprise technology initiatives
Bachelor’s degree
Experience within a law firm, consulting, or professional services organization
Business analysis and/or technical writing experience
Experience with enterprise change management and digital transformation initiatives
Ability to manage complex software development and systems integration projects
Ability to deliver AI/ML or Generative AI initiatives in enterprise environments
Strong understanding of project management methodologies including Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, and hybrid delivery models
Ability to manage enterprise-level stakeholders, including executive leadership
Ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously in fast-changing environments
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word)
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Strong organizational skills
Ability to work under tight deadlines and prioritize responsibilities
Ability to handle and maintain confidential information
Ability to learn new concepts and skills quickly

Nice To Haves

Certifications such as: PMP Agile/Scrum ITIL SAFe AI-related certifications

Responsibilities

Lead enterprise‑scale tech, digital, and AI programs; own end‑to‑end delivery and governance
Manage scope, budget, timelines, risks, quality, and cross‑team dependencies
Lead medium- to large-scale technical, digital transformation, and AI-enabled programs across the enterprise
Drive end-to-end delivery across software development, systems integration, infrastructure, and AI implementation workstreams
Translate complex business objectives into actionable strategies, roadmaps, and measurable outcomes
Establish governance frameworks, delivery standards, risk mitigation plans, and executive reporting structures
Manage project scope, budgets, timelines, dependencies, quality controls, and stakeholder alignment throughout the project lifecycle
Build and maintain detailed project plans while balancing competing priorities, evolving business needs, and delivery commitments
Partner with technical teams to ensure solutions meet integration, security, governance, and operational readiness requirements
Maintain program documentation, audit readiness, and decision traceability for enterprise initiatives
Drive prioritization, resourcing, issue resolution, and scalable solution recommendations
Anticipate challenges, mitigate risks early, and apply structured analytical judgment
Lead strategic decision-making related to scope, prioritization, resourcing, sequencing, and delivery execution across complex technical and AI-enabled initiatives
Evaluate operational, technical, business, and governance considerations to recommend scalable, sustainable, and enterprise-aligned solutions
Proactively identify, assess, mitigate, and escalate risks, issues, and decision points while presenting actionable recommendations and resolution strategies
Apply a structured and analytical approach to problem-solving by anticipating challenges, recognizing risks early, and developing practical solutions beyond the obvious
Exercise sound independent judgment with significant day-to-day impact on project direction, delivery strategy, and overall program success
Maintain the highest level of confidentiality and discretion regarding firm, client, and AI-enabled information, systems, integrations, and data sources
Align executives, business, and technical teams; communicate clearly; resolve blockers
Motivate teams, foster accountability, and maintain delivery excellence
Serve as a trusted liaison between executive leadership, business stakeholders, technical teams, vendors, and external partners
Facilitate alignment across cross-functional teams with competing priorities and complex decision-making requirements
Present technical and AI-related concepts, risks, tradeoffs, and recommendations to executive leadership in a clear and actionable manner
Lead and motivate project teams while fostering accountability, collaboration, and delivery excellence
Build strong relationships across business, technical, and governance stakeholders to support successful program execution
Deliver executive presentations, dashboards, status reporting, and communications that clearly reflect project health, milestones, risks, and outcomes
Resolve blockers, resource constraints, and delivery challenges in fast-paced and high-pressure environments
Oversee integrations, APIs, cloud platforms, AI lifecycle, and Agile delivery tools
Experience managing enterprise integrations, APIs, data flows, cloud-based platforms, and enterprise applications
Understanding of AI implementation lifecycle considerations, including governance, evaluation, testing, adoption, operational support, and responsible AI practices
Familiarity with Agile delivery methodologies and tools such as Jira, Azure DevOps, Smartsheet, or similar platforms
Experience coordinating technical dependencies across infrastructure, security, application development, and data teams