Project Manager

Greetings!We are looking to hire a Senior Project Manager for one of our direct clients in Westchester, IL. This is a long-term contract role and hybrid in Westchester, IL. Please find below the job description.Position: Senior Project Manager Location: Westchester, IL Mode: Hybrid Interview: 2 rounds Duration: Long-term contract.Implementing a shared services model isn’t just a structural change, it’s a cultural, operational, and often political transformation. A strong project manager needs a mix of technical, strategic, and interpersonal skills to make it work smoothly. The most important ones are: 1. Stakeholder Management & Influence Shared services often centralize functions that used to belong to different departments so expect resistance. Ability to align conflicting interests across business units Strong negotiation and influencing skills (especially without direct authority) Clear communication tailored to executives, managers, and frontline teams This is arguably the most critical skill without buy-in, the model fails. 2. Change Management Expertise You’re not just implementing a model you’re changing how people work. Experience with structured change frameworks (like ADKAR or Kotter) Ability to anticipate resistance and manage it proactively Building training, communications, and adoption plans 3. Process Design & Optimization Shared services rely on standardized, efficient processes. Strong understanding of process mapping and redesign Identifying redundancies and opportunities for consolidation Familiarity with Lean or Six Sigma concepts is a big plus 4. Governance & Operating Model Design A shared services model needs clear rules to function. Define roles, responsibilities, and decision rights Establish SLAs (Service Level Agreements) and KPIs Design escalation paths and accountability structures 5. Financial & Business Acumen You need to justify and sustain the model. Building business cases (cost savings, efficiency gains) Understanding cost allocation models (chargebacks, showbacks) Tracking ROI and performance over time 6. Program & Portfolio Management This is rarely a single project, it’s a multi-phase transformation. Managing interdependent workstreams (HR, IT, Finance, etc.) Prioritization and roadmap planning Risk and dependency management at scale 7. Data-Driven Decision Making Shared services thrive on measurable performance. Defining meaningful KPIs and dashboards Using data to identify bottlenecks and improve services Comfort with reporting tools and analytics 8. Technology & Systems Awareness Technology is often the backbone of shared services. Understanding ERP systems, ticketing tools, automation platforms Collaborating with IT on system integration and standardization Awareness of RPA (Robotic Process Automation) and AI opportunities 9. Communication & Storytelling You’ll need to continuously “sell” the value of shared services. Translating complex ideas into simple, compelling messages Creating executive-ready presentations Keeping teams aligned through consistent messaging 10. Emotional Intelligence & Leadership People may feel like they’re losing control or jobs. Empathy and active listening Managing uncertainty and morale Leading through ambiguity and organizational tension The Big Picture A project manager in this space isn’t just executing tasks, they’re acting as a transformation leader. The ability to balance structure (process, governance) with people (change, communication) is what separates successful implementations from failed. Someone who has previous experience in project managing such design and implementations for Finance, Procurement, Order to cash, Record to Report, FP&A etc. processes would be great.Best Regards,