Senior Project Manager

STATUS: Exempt, regular full-time
DEPARTMENT: Operations - Core/Project Management
LOCATION: Fresno, CA / Flexible location available within the bank's footprint.

Job Summary and Scope of Responsibility: The Senior Project Manager will manage a portfolio of projects with a focus on larger and more complex projects. The management of projects will include planning, initiating, budgeting, execution, control, risk management, leadership and completion. Ensure projects are aligned with company business strategies and delivered timely and within budget. Additionally, the Senior Project Manager will provide guidance, oversight and leadership to less experienced project managers (staff development).

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: With or without reasonable accommodation must be able to perform all essential job functions as described below.

• Lead and manage the selection, training, development and performance of the project team with a focus on operational efficiency, job knowledge, performance proficiency, client service, team support and compliance.
  • Conduct periodic evaluations of staffing/job assignments to ensure efficient coverage for operational requirements.
  • Ensure appropriate assessment and training activities are implemented to promote continuous development and career progression.
  • Ensure protocols are in place to address unit communication and team-building requirements.
• Lead and manage large-scale, high-impact projects across diverse banking domains, including mergers and acquisitions, technology integrations, regulatory compliance initiatives, solution launches and banking center openings/closures.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to identify and define primary project components to include mission, goals, scope, budget, resource requirements, schedule, cross-function impact/integration concerns and success criteria.
  • Identify and document tasks, task assignments and due dates, milestones, and inter-dependencies using project management software and tools.
  • Establish communication protocols and create report templates for periodic updates to key stakeholders.
  • Conduct regular evaluation of project status to ensure alignment with objectives and milestones. Facilitate the identification of risks and obstacles and development of appropriate mitigation solutions.
  • Monitor and manage issue tracking and resolution within and around the project, elevating and communicating issues and roadblocks as needed.
  • Monitor and track key project metrics, reporting progress, addressing deviations, and recommending corrective actions.
• Provide governance and oversight of the bank's Enterprise Project Management program.
  • Develop, document, train and implement project management best practices into the culture and project delivery workflows in alignment with our project management governance and standards, to include policy, procedures and processes.
  • Develop and maintain risk mitigation, change control, change management, communication, and quality assurance plans for the project management program and individual projects.
• Evaluate and engage with required third party vendors and align vendors with current project plans.

Minimum Qualifications to Perform Essential Functions
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proficiency with professional project management applications, such as MS Project or equivalent.
• Strong team leadership skills with experience leading effective work teams and facilitating desired outcomes.
• Effective supervisory and employee management skills.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills with constructive approach to conflict resolution.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively as a team member.
• Good judgement, decision making and problem-solving skills.
• Professional demeanor and verbal communication skills with ability to translate technical concepts into non-technical terms.
• Strong client service and stakeholder management skills.
• Effective business writing and presentation skills.
• Aptitude for detail and organization.
• Computer proficiency, including internet browsers and Microsoft Office Suite products.
• Ability to perform essential job functions independently, under minimal supervision.
• Proficiency at speaking, reading and writing English.

Experience and/or Education:

• Seven years of experience leading the development and oversight of large enterprise projects (budgets => $500k) for companies in a service industry.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent.
• Five years of related experience leading project teams at a financial institution, preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Project Management, Business, Information Technology, Finance, or equivalent, preferred.

Excellent benefits package for eligible employees and their families. Competitive salary BOE in the range of $97,000 - $139,000 Annually.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.