Project Manager (Strategic Initiatives)

Location:

127 Public Square, Cleveland Ohio

Job Summary

The Project Manager leads and supports a diverse portfolio of small to mid-size projects, which usually impact a Line of Business (LOB) and/or functional areas and assists with strategic process improvement initiatives across the Institutional Bank. The position takes projects from planning through final implementation using standard project management, change management, risk management, and process improvement methodologies and concepts. Enables process improvement, promotes technology-driven solutions, and assists with training and communication across Institutional Bank. This role requires a hands-on approach to defining and clarifying processes whenever ambiguity exists, ensuring project teams have clear direction and consistent execution standards. The role partners closely with business leaders, IT, and cross-functional teams while maintaining a trusted-advisor relationship with stakeholders. The role is responsible for setting expectations for project stakeholders through planning activities and maintains transparency via communication and reporting channels.

Essential Function

· Lead and manage small to mid-size projects or discrete project phases from initiation through implementation, working closely with business leaders to define scope, objectives, requirements, deliverables, dependencies, and value propositions that support multiple stakeholder interests. Develop, maintain, and execute integrated project plans, including critical paths, milestones, and checkpoints, while adhering to established project management standards and methodologies (e.g., waterfall, agile, lean, Six Sigma).

· Identify ambiguous workflows or undefined processes and partner with business and IT stakeholders to define, document, standardize, and improve business processes. Analyze current-state operations and recommend technology-enabled enhancements using platforms such as SharePoint, Salesforce, and Microsoft Office 365 to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

· Lead communication and change management activities, including stakeholder communication planning, training coordination, readiness planning, and adoption support. Coordinate with cross-functional partners, subject matter experts, and technology teams to design and implement solutions, ensuring potential impacts to internal operations and external client experience are addressed.

· Identify, track, analyze, and escalate project risks, issues, dependencies, and resource needs; perform impact analysis and prioritization; and recommend and implement mitigation strategies to resolve conflicts and delivery bottlenecks.

Support business case development, project initiation activities, and governance checkpoints to drive successful execution.

· Manage project financials, including budgets, forecasts, and financial requests, and monitor resource utilization throughout the project lifecycle. Gather effort estimates, assess staffing needs, coordinate vendor engagement as required, and support vendor onboarding, performance monitoring, and offboarding activities.

· Prepare and deliver executive-ready reporting, status updates, and project communications, and build strong working relationships with stakeholders across the organization through clear, consistent, and professional communication.

· Perform other duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and/or activities may change at any time with or without notice. Comply with all KeyBank policies and procedures, including acting professionally, conducting business ethically, avoiding conflicts of interest, and acting in the best interests of Key and its clients.

Education

· Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

· OR equivalent experience (required)

Work Experience

· Minimum 3 years of project management, process improvement, or technology-enablement experience (required)

· Experience working with enterprise tools (e.g. Salesforce, Microsoft Office 365) (preferred)

· Experience supporting or leading projects in financial services is beneficial (preferred)

Licenses and Certifications

· Project Management Professional (PMP) - PMI (preferred)

· Agile, ADKAR, or related change-management certifications (preferred)

· Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (preferred)

Skills

· Extensive Experience with effective project management strategies and tactics; ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control projects, ensuring efficient utilization of technical and administrative resources to achieve project objectives (Project plans, Project charter/business case).

· Extensive Experience with effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and nee