Sr. Project Manager

Job Summary

The Sr. Project Manager will guide technical and non-technical delivery teams through its shift from Waterfall project management to a Product Delivery model, operating across both approaches while teams mature at different paces. This role is responsible for executing delivery work while also serving as a change agent, helping stakeholders and teams adapt to outcome-driven, roadmap-based value stream execution. Key outcomes include successful delivery of Life & Annuity product initiatives, index additions, and 3rd party/SaaS platform work, achieved in close partnership with Retail and Operations.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end project and product delivery, ensuring objectives are achieved across all delivery phases.
• Establish scope, objectives, resource needs, budgets, timelines, and milestones, while managing changes through appropriate continuous planning and governance techniques.
• Develop, maintain, and report on project plans, progress, and key metrics using both waterfall and agile frameworks.
• Partner with stakeholders to define product roadmaps, requirements, build status reports and communication plans, and facilitate effective team and client meetings.
• Lead risk identification and mitigation planning, track project dependencies and constraints, and escalate issues or concerns to Retail leadership as needed.
• Run PI planning and execution cycles and program-level ceremonies, and coach teams and leaders on scaled agile principles.
• Track and communicate program-level metrics while managing risks and impediments across the value stream.
• Build and sustain relationships with third-party vendors and external partners and create/maintain comprehensive project documentation meeting Retail Implementation standards.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This role does not have formal leadership responsibilities but may provide guidance, mentorship, or subject matter expertise to others.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of project, product, and business management principles, waterfall and value steam delivery methods and techniques and identifying critical paths.
• Strong interpersonal skills including Teamwork, Responsibility, Dependability, Flexibility, Leadership, and Motivation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including facilitation and presentation tailored to the specific audience.
• Ability to interact successfully with personnel at all levels of the organization in both technical and business areas with minimal guidance.
• Ability to perform at a high level in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple projects and responsibilities.
• Effectively coach delivery teams, Value Stream Leaders, and Product Owners on Agile mindsets, mechanics, and backlog/discovery practices.
• Excellent leadership, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Team player with demonstrated ability to proactively identify issues and to influence key project and program decisions to achieve desired outcomes with minimal guidance.
• Self-starter who demonstrates strong initiative and is able to operate efficiently in unpredictable and challenging project environments with minimal guidance.
• Proficient in Agile Tooling (JIRA) and Microsoft Office Applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Must be able to work independently and be able to operate efficiently in unpredictable and challenging project environments.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Project Management, Operations Management or related field. In 7+ years of relevant experience in Project Manager or Agile Leader in Life Insurance and/or Annuity industry.
• Experience managin