Project Leader I

Job Description

Zurich North America is hiring a Project Leader I to join our team! We are open to hiring talent in the Schaumburg location. We are looking for an experienced Project Management leader to join our Cloud Foundation Services team.

You will manage essential infrastructure projects to maintain reliable cloud service delivery and support operational efficiency. This role offers the chance to guide our cloud infrastructure and contribute to our digital transformation. As a Project Management Leader, you will play a pivotal role in executing our cloud strategy in close collaboration with senior leadership, ensuring that technology initiatives are consistently aligned with overarching business objectives. You will be responsible for overseeing the end-to-end implementation of complex cloud infrastructure projects, guiding them from inception through to successful delivery.

This involves creating clear project plans, setting measurable milestones, and ensuring that all deliverables meet the highest standards for scalability, security, and reliability. In this leadership role, you will coordinate cross-functional teams and foster an environment where technical professionals can thrive.

You will apply project management best practices, utilizing proven methodologies and tools to track progress, manage resources, and address any challenges that arise. Your oversight will ensure projects are executed efficiently, on schedule, and within budget, while proactively managing risks and resolving issues to minimize disruptions. Your guidance and mentorship will empower team members to deliver innovative solutions that enhance our organization’s digital agility and competitiveness in the market.

You will facilitate ongoing communication between stakeholders, regularly reporting outcomes, key metrics, and project status updates to senior management. Additionally, you will champion continuous improvement by encouraging knowledge sharing, implementing feedback loops, and supporting professional development opportunities within your team. Your leadership will be instrumental in shaping a resilient cloud foundation that supports operational efficiency and drives our organization’s digital transformation forward.

Key Responsibilities: Lead and manage a team of technical professionals focused on cloud infrastructure support, providing coaching, mentorship, and performance feedback to help team members grow and excel. Oversee the planning, execution, and successful delivery of multiple infrastructure projects within the Cloud Foundation Services team, ensuring projects are completed on time, within scope, and within budget.

Develop and implement project management best practices, methodologies, and processes to ensure efficient and effective operations. Establish clear workflows, set measurable objectives, and leverage project management tools to track progress and outcomes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders, including IT, security, compliance, and business units, to align project objectives with organizational goals and drive successful project outcomes.

Partner with the application team to ensure seamless integration of infrastructure and application development, enabling smooth project execution and minimizing disruptions. Monitor project progress, proactively identify and resolve issues, and manage risks to ensure timely and successful outcomes. Lead risk assessment sessions and develop contingency plans as needed.

Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and high performance within the team by encouraging knowledge sharing, implementing feedback loops, and supporting professional development opportunities. Prepare and present regular project status reports, metrics, and insights to senior management and stakeholders, highlighting achievements, challenges, and opportunities for improvement. Maintain flexibility in implementation and adapt proactively to evolving business requirements throughout the implementation phase.

Basic Qualifications: Bachelors Degree and 6 or more years of experience in the Communications or Project Management areaORHigh School Diploma or Equivalent and 8 or more years of experience in the Communications or Project Management areaANDExperience in strategic and operational consulting or business systems integration Preferred Qualifications: Proven experience (5+ years) in project management, with a strong focus on infrastructure support and cloud technologies, ideally in a fast-paced, enterprise environment. Demonstrated leadership abilities, including managing and developing high-performing teams and fostering a collaborative, results-driven work culture. Excellent communication, organizational, and stakeholder management skills, with a track record of effectively presenting complex information to technical and non-technical audiences.

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