Project Manager

The Surplus Line Association of CA•San Ramon, CA

15d•$95,000 - $115,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Project Manager leads high-visibility, cross-functional projects that shape how the organization operates, evolves and delivers on its priorities. The portfolio may include strategic initiatives, technology implementations, major events, organizational change and projects supporting the association’s regulatory responsibilities and services. Working within the portfolio structure established by the Senior Project Manager, the Project Manager turns complex ideas into executable plans and owns assigned projects from initial scope through delivery and closeout. This role brings together people across the organization, creates clarity around decisions and responsibilities, anticipates obstacles and keeps important work moving toward measurable outcomes. It is a highly collaborative role for someone who enjoys solving complex problems, working across different disciplines and seeing projects move from concept to tangible results.

Requirements

3+ years of project management experience, with 5+ years preferred
A California resident
Demonstrated success leading cross-functional projects from inception through implementation and closeout
Experience coordinating initiatives across multiple departments or disciplines
Experience with projects involving areas such as strategy, operations, technology, regulatory work, organizational initiatives, or events
Strong proficiency with enterprise project management tools; Asana experience is strongly preferred
Experience using project charters, RACI models, success criteria, governance structures, and formal change-control processes
Experience preparing project updates and recommendations for senior leaders or executive stakeholders
Brings strong judgment and practical problem-solving skills
Takes ownership and follows through
Can organize complicated work without overcomplicating the process
Knows how to respectfully hold others accountable
Communicates clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing
Can facilitate productive meetings and move conversations toward decisions
Is comfortable navigating competing priorities and multiple concurrent projects
Knows when to resolve an issue independently and when to escalate
Can work effectively with people who have different responsibilities, perspectives, and priorities
Remains focused on outcomes—not simply activity

Nice To Haves

PMP or another formal project management certification
Experience working within a nonprofit, association, or regulatory environment
Familiarity with change management or organizational effectiveness principles

Responsibilities

Lead Projects from Start to Finish.
Develop clear project charters, objectives, deliverables, success measures, timelines, and governance structures.
Establish roles, responsibilities, decision points, deadlines, and escalation paths.
Build and maintain detailed project plans in Asana.
Coordinate work across multiple departments and disciplines.
Identify risks, dependencies, and blockers before they threaten delivery.
Hold project participants accountable for agreed commitments.
Escalate issues with thoughtful recommendations—not simply identifying problems.
Create Clarity Around Decisions.
Establish decision-making frameworks, including RACI and approval authority.
Facilitate discussions that move teams toward decisions and action.
Document key decisions, assumptions, dependencies, and commitments.
Recognize when an issue requires escalation and move it forward promptly.
Help stakeholders understand tradeoffs involving scope, timing, resources, and outcomes.
Manage Change Without Losing Control of the Project.
Evaluate proposed scope changes and their impact on timelines, resources, budgets, and outcomes.
Obtain appropriate approvals before incorporating material changes.
Clearly communicate the impact of changes to project stakeholders.
Maintain project change logs and preserve project history for future learning.
Manage Resources, Capacity, and Competing Priorities.
Identify resource needs and capacity constraints.
Work with the Senior Project Manager and department leaders to surface conflicts and recommend tradeoffs.
Support project intake by gathering requirements and assessing feasibility, scope, resources, and timelines.
Track project budgets and flag material variances.
Help ensure organizational resources are focused on the work that matters most.
Measure Whether the Project Actually Worked.
Establish measurable success criteria at the beginning of each project.
Track progress against intended outcomes throughout delivery.
Adjust plans when necessary to maintain alignment with project objectives.
Evaluate results at closeout.
Capture lessons learned and contribute to continuous improvement of project management practices.
Communicate With Confidence.
Lead project meetings, working sessions, and status reviews.
Build productive working relationships across departments.
Translate complex project information into clear, concise leadership updates.
Present risks, tradeoffs, decisions, and recommended actions to senior stakeholders.
Keep sponsors and project teams aligned throughout the project lifecycle.