Project Manager (Culture, Talent & Engagement)

Job Title: Project Manager III (Culture, Talent & Engagement)Location: Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL 60064 (Hybrid – 3 days on-site)Assignment Length: 1 Year (Potential for Extension)Role Overview:The Project Manager III will serve as a strategic and operational partner within the Discovery Research organization (supporting ~1,900 scientists). This role is dedicated to driving talent development strategy, fostering organizational culture, and managing high-impact engagement initiatives.Unlike traditional technical project management, this position focuses on the "People Space"—acting as a bridge between Enterprise HR Centers of Excellence (COE) and the scientific community to translate high-level corporate initiatives into practical, localized programs that resonate with research teams.Key Responsibilities:1. Talent Strategy & People DevelopmentProgram Execution: Collaborate with Business HR (BHR) to implement talent support, leadership development, and career growth programs tailored for the scientific workforce.Onboarding Management: Take full ownership of the internally developed New Employee Onboarding Portal, including day-to-day operational maintenance and continuous content updates.Leadership Support: Lead the coordination and preparation for quarterly Leadership Forums (top 200 leaders) and monthly leadership meetings, including high-quality deck preparation and logistics.2. Culture & Employee EngagementSurvey Analysis: Partner with HR to analyze biennial employee engagement survey data, identifying trends and translating insights into actionable improvement plans.Engagement Initiatives: Design and manage processes for recognition programs, wellbeing initiatives, and feedback sessions to enhance organizational health.Inclusion & DEI: Support the implementation of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the research organization.3. Operations & Digital EnablementDigital Platforms: Build and maintain SharePoint, Unily (Intranet), and other collaborative sites to ensure transparency and effective internal communication.Project Tracking: Utilize Smartsheet to track project workflows, participation metrics, and program progress.Reporting: Create dashboards and utilize Microsoft Forms to gather feedback, measuring the direct impact of culture programs on retention and engagement.4. Change ManagementSupport large-scale change management efforts, ensuring smooth adoption of new enterprise-wide programs within the Discovery Research environment.Act as a cross-functional connector between therapeutic areas, functional teams, and Chiefs of Staff.Qualifications & SkillsetExperience:Core Focus: 3+ years of experience in Talent Management, Organizational Development (OD), or Human Resources.Specific Expertise: Direct experience leading Culture and Engagement initiatives or Change Management programs.Note: While a Project Management background is required, the focus is on "People Programs" rather than technical or recruitment (Talent Acquisition) backgrounds.Technical Skills:Platform Proficiency: Advanced hands-on experience with SharePoint and Smartsheet is essential.Communication Tools: Familiarity with Unily (or similar intranet platforms) and Microsoft Forms.Presentation Mastery: Expert-level PowerPoint skills; ability to translate complex program outcomes into clear, executive-ready visual stories.Soft Skills:Adaptability: Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment where rapid execution is valued over strict adherence to formal PM methodologies (e.g., Waterfall/Agile).Operational Mindset: Comfortable balancing high-level strategy with routine, process-oriented operational tasks (e.g., weekly onboarding portal updates).Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to collaborate with senior leadership, HR partners, and technical/scientific professionals.Education:Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Life Sciences, or a related field. An HR Business Partner (HRBP) background with strong tech-savviness is considered a significant plus.For information on benefits, equal opportunity employment, and location-specific applicant notices. Click here:At SPECTRAFORCE, we are committed to maintaining a workplace that ensures fair compensation and wage transparency in adherence with all applicable state and local laws.