Sr. Director, IT Project Management

Position Summary:

The Senior Director, IT Project Management has overall responsibility for planning, executing, tracking, and managing the schedule, scope, and cost of all projects within the Association’s project portfolio. The Senior Director promotes the use of consistent and standardized project management procedures and methodologies, including both Waterfall and Agile approaches, to support the effective planning, execution, and delivery of IT initiatives in alignment with industry standards such as PMI and the Scrum Alliance. This role is accountable for the implementation of an IT quality management program that monitors key performance indicators and identifies areas for continuous improvement.

In addition, the Senior Director leads, manages, and coaches the IT project management and quality management team, ensuring high performance, professional development, and adherence to best practices. The role directs overall project portfolio activities, applying strong technical expertise and business acumen to proactively manage risk and resolve escalated issues. The Senior Director supports the development of a project roadmap that aligns with Association objectives and priorities, while fostering collaboration across business and technology teams to ensure successful project delivery and sustained quality management outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Overall responsibility for:
  • Planning, executing, tracking and managing schedule, scope and cost of all projects in the IT project portfolio.
  • Implementation of an IT quality management process that monitors key performance indicators and identifies areas for improvement.
• Promotes the use of consistent and standardized procedures and methodologies, including but not limited to:
  • Waterfall and Agile methodologies for the planning, execution and delivery of Association IT projects (PMI & Scrum Alliance) and
  • Quality Management best practices (ITIL).

• Manages, coaches and directs team resources in order to meet workload demands.
• Directs project portfolio activities and uses strong technical and business acumen to manage risk and address escalated issues.
• Supports the development of a project roadmap that aligns with Association objectives and priorities.
• Fosters collaboration across Association business and technology teams, providing successful project delivery, release management and change leadership.
• Provides leadership and direction for an IT quality management plan to monitor the successful delivery of key IT services, including:
  • Maintaining system availability;
  • Delivering excellent customer service;
  • Promoting code development standards; and 
  • Ensuring that final project deliverables meet approved business and functional requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s degree preferred (e.g. MBA) 
• PMP, ITIL or other subject matter certifications.
• At least 5 years (preferably 10 years) leading an IT project management office that includes release and change management and quality management
• At least 5 years (preferably 10 years) work experience in IT project management, business analysis, release/change management and/or quality management.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong leadership qualities and organizational skills as well as the ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities, assignments, and roles.
• Strong experience managing a large project portfolio, including large-scale, high visibility projects. 
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills.
• Solid understanding/work experience in the methodologies, techniques and best practices used in:
  • Project Management, i.e: Waterfall Agile/Scrum/Lean;
  • Business Analysis;
  • Change Management; and 
  • Continuous Quality Improvement.
• Strong knowledge and/or training in business and operations concepts.
• Experience hiring, training, mentoring and managing a project team of 10 or more members.
• Familiarity working with artificial intelligence, specifically Anthropic's Claude

 

Title:  Senior Director, IT Project Management

Position Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid)

Full time or Part Time: Full time

Position Grade & Compensation: Grade 512 The Alzheimer's Association’s good faith expectation for the salary range for this role is between $133,000 – $165,000

This position is eligible for a bonus based on both individual and organizational performance, up to 6%.

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