Title:  Project Manager - Learning & Development Industry 

Location: Rochester, NY

Availability: up to 40 hours per week

Rate: $30-40/hr; depending on experience

We are seeking a Contract to Hire Project Manager to join our team.  

In This  Role You Will: 

• Oversee design, development, and production of projects to ensure client specifications and deadlines are met
• Adhere to project management standards and best practices, while maintaining a reasonable amount of flexibility for the way the client needs Ardent to work
• Develop detailed project plan(s) to monitor and track progress
• Provide project support to participating internal and external talent
• Interface with interdepartmental members as it relates to each project
• Look for opportunities to continuously improve the tools we use, the processes we follow and how we communicate at Ardent
• Develop, maintain, and monitor progress reports, project plans, timelines and budgets with focus on attention to detail and client satisfaction — speaking up when deliverables are not in alignment with Ardent standards
• Work with departmental leadership to staff all project team members. Negotiate with other departmental leadership and Project/Program Managers when talent scheduling conflicts arise
• Develop purchase orders, track projects from purchase order through invoicing
• Ensure timely and efficient milestone handoffs internally and externally throughout project
• Provide proactive status updates to team members, management and clients. Hold internal and external status meetings. Document and communicate decisions and actions from each status meeting
• Obtain client feedback and work through edits and revisions
• Work closely and take direction from the Account Director who oversees and owns the accounts. Discuss any project changes that may affect scope, time, cost and or quality
• Perform risk management to minimize project risks
• When appropriate, start conversations with clients concerning additional Ardent offerings, passing along leads to Account Team
• Above all, monitor the health of the client relationship through proactive communication
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Proven ability to manage budgets
• Professional and proactive work ethic
• High competence in project and stakeholder management
• Effective client communications, including difficult conversations
• Work creatively to manage project scope and changes by problem solving, identifying risks / issues and negotiating win-win solutions
• Demonstrated ability to launch new client engagements and projects
• Reporting on project success criteria / metrics, milestones, risks and issues – internally and with the client
• Comfortable embracing the unknown
• Self-starter and takes initiative
• Proven track record for successful delivery of projects and working cross-functionally with business and information systems/technology
• Demonstrated leadership and team-building skills with ability to influence and motivate project team members that report to other groups in the organization
• Experience with large interconnected systems and processes, including complex integrations between multiple third party and internal systems
• Ability to be flexible in diving into project detail when necessary, while keeping the overall picture in mind
• Demonstrated ability to be responsive with both verbal and written communication, while maintaining a strong sense of urgency

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Management or related field
• 5+ years’ experience as a Project Manager; instructor-led or web-based training development is a plus
• Demonstrated experience in the learning & development field strongly preferred
• Project management certification (PMP, CAMP) preferred
• Proficiency in SmartSheets or similar project management software tools
• Competency in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook