Project Manager

Perkins Coie•Chicago, IL

41d

About The Position

The Project Manager serves as a key member of the Enterprise Projects & Programs team within the Technology department, leading cross-functional initiatives that support the firm's strategic and operational goals. This role drives medium‑complexity technology and business projects, partnering with stakeholders across departments such as Information Technology, Human Resources, Marketing, Finance, and Practice Management. The Project Manager combines strong technical acumen, modern project management practices, and artificial intelligence (AI)–assisted workflows to deliver high‑quality results in a dynamic professional services environment. In this position, the Project Manager oversees the full life cycle of assigned projects—from planning and scoping through execution, change management, and implementation. The role requires the ability to manage timelines, coordinate diverse teams, maintain project documentation, monitor risks, and ensure alignment with both departmental roadmaps and firmwide priorities. The Project Manager is expected to work with minimal oversight, exercise sound judgment, and drive decision‑making using data, structured methods, and clear communication. Success in this role requires strong collaboration skills, the ability to adapt to ambiguity, and comfort navigating evolving technologies, including AI‑enabled tools. The Project Manager regularly partners with resource managers, subject matter experts, executive sponsors, vendors, and change management leads to ensure project outcomes meet expectations and deliver measurable value.

Requirements

Strong adaptability with the ability to navigate ambiguous environments and evolving project needs.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to translate technical concepts for leadership.
Strong planning, organization, and multi-tasking skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects at once.
Demonstrated ability to solve problems, think analytically, and use data-supported decision-making.
Effective negotiation and stakeholder-management skills.
Proficiency with modern project management and collaboration tools
Ability to lead both structured and unstructured projects and develop clarity where processes or requirements are not fully defined.
Strong facilitation skills for sessions focused on design, process improvement, decision-making, and project closure.
Minimum of 5 years of project management experience.
Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, computer science, information systems, or a related field preferred.
Formal training in project management, risk assessment, negotiations, or Agile practices is highly desirable.

Nice To Haves

Experience working within a PMO or in a professional services or legal-industry technology environment.
Familiarity with PMBOK (latest edition), Agile and hybrid delivery models, and SDLC/DevOps methodologies.
Experience leading projects involving data, analytics, workflow automation, or AI-enabled technologies.
Understanding of business analysis methods, requirements development, and user-centric design.
Strong understanding of the distinctions between projects, programs, portfolios, and strategic plans—and how they interrelate to support prioritization, governance, and long-term value delivery.
Ability to use AI-assisted tooling for project documentation, meeting notes, risk logs, and communication drafts.
Understanding of how AI impacts enterprise systems, workflows, and change management.
Experience supporting or managing projects that include AI capabilities or automation.
Ability to evaluate vendor AI claims and partner with SMEs to ensure responsible and compliant AI use.
Skill in prompting and using generative AI tools to enhance productivity, planning, analysis, and decision support.
Certification such as PMP, CAPM, or PMI-ACP is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Delivery Lead the planning, organization, and delivery of technical and strategic projects.
Develop project charters, scopes, schedules, resource plans, communications strategies, and success metrics.
Collaborate with sponsors and stakeholders to validate requirements and maintain alignment throughout the project.
Manage scope, timelines, and deliverables, applying structured change control when needed.
Risk, Issue & Dependency Management Identify, assess, escalate, and manage risks, issues, and dependencies using modern project management methodologies and tools.
Maintain risk registers, mitigation plans, and contingency strategies.
Ensure dependencies are documented, communicated, and coordinated across teams.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Facilitation Facilitate project meetings, design sessions, process mapping workshops, and decision-making discussions.
Promote clear communication between technical teams, business units, vendors, and leadership.
Drive alignment and resolve conflicts to maintain project momentum.
Change Management & Stakeholder Engagement Support organizational change management through communication planning, stakeholder engagement, and adoption strategies.
Prepare executive-ready updates, status reports, and presentations.
Vendor, Budget & Operational Oversight Monitor vendor performance and coordinate procurement and contract-related activities.
Track budgets, forecast expenditures, and provide routine financial and progress reporting.
Ensure operational readiness for project launch and transition activities.