Project Manager - Employee Engagement

The Fountain Group is a national staffing firm and we are currently seeking a ­­­­­­­­Project Manager - Employee Engagement for a prominent client of ours. This position is HYBRID in Lake County, IL 60064. Details for the position are as follows:Project / Operations Manager II – Employee EngagementLocation: Lake County, IL (Hybrid)Pay Rate: $70–75/hourContract Length: 12 monthsSchedule: HybridOverviewWe are seeking a Project / Operations Manager II to support a leading Discovery Research organization focused on driving talent strategy, employee engagement, and culture initiatives. This role will partner closely with leadership, Business HR, and cross-functional stakeholders to help foster a high-performing, collaborative, and inclusive workplace environment.This is an excellent opportunity for a project or program management professional with experience supporting employee engagement, talent programs, organizational culture, or people-focused initiatives in a corporate environment.Key ResponsibilitiesPartner with leadership and Business HR teams to support execution of talent strategy initiatives, including onboarding, employee development, and talent support programs.Coordinate and drive culture and engagement initiatives aligned with organizational priorities and broader R&D / Discovery Research goals.Lead project management activities for employee-focused initiatives such as:Employee engagement surveysFeedback sessions / listening forumsRecognition programsLeadership forumsOnboarding and culture-building programsTrack project milestones, timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder communications to ensure successful execution.Build, maintain, or support internal communication and collaboration platforms such as SharePoint and/or Unily.Collect, analyze, and report data related to engagement, retention, talent development, and organizational effectiveness metrics.Identify opportunities to improve talent, engagement, and operational processes.Support change management efforts associated with new initiatives, programs, or organizational priorities.Collaborate cross-functionally with leadership, HR, and project stakeholders to drive alignment and progress.Required QualificationsBachelor’s degree in Business, Human Resources, Life Sciences, or a related field3–5 years of relevant professional experience in project management, program management, HR programs, employee engagement, talent initiatives, organizational development, or related functionsStrong organizational and project coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneouslyExcellent communication and stakeholder management skillsExperience supporting employee engagement, talent development, culture initiatives, onboarding, or organizational effectiveness programsStrong analytical mindset with experience tracking metrics, dashboards, reporting, or program effectiveness dataAbility to work independently while collaborating effectively across teamsPreferred QualificationsExperience within pharmaceutical, biotech, life sciences, healthcare, or other matrixed corporate environmentsExperience supporting R&D, Discovery Research, or scientific organizationsHands-on experience with SharePoint, Unily, Microsoft 365 collaboration tools, Excel, reporting dashboards, or survey platformsExposure to change management or organizational transformation initiatives