Beacon is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager (PM) whose background is with software-focused project management for our client partner. This experience needs to be with the installation, upgrade, or conversion of commercial vendor-built software (e.g. COTS) and the associated vendor management. While our projects follow Waterfall SDLC (i.e., design, configuration, testing and go-live), they are not software development projects. This role requires a strong project leader who can effectively operate in complex and ambiguous environments where priorities, stakeholders, and decision makers may not always be aligned. The successful candidate must be able to challenge assumptions, facilitate difficult discussions, navigate organizational conflict, drive decision making, and maintain forward momentum while holding stakeholders and vendors accountable for commitments.

The ideal candidate has demonstrated success leading large initiatives through organizational complexity, stakeholder resistance, competing priorities, and unclear governance structures. They must possess the confidence and credibility to appropriately challenge stakeholders, influence without authority, escalate issues when necessary, and drive projects through impasses when decisions are delayed or consensus is difficult to achieve. This experienced PM will lead a complex, large-scale, high-dollar, multi-year GIS Utility Network Model Conversation/Implementation Project. This project will migrate our existing electric and gas geospatial data/model to an ArcGIS Utility Network model by replacing legacy geometric networks with a rules-based, service-oriented model. Our GIS system is a foundational system that integrates with numerous applications and supports multiple business teams. This change will have broad operational and technical implications and must be managed accordingly.

The project is currently in a Design (Gate) Phase with a third-party vendor who is analyzing our current model helping define the system architecture design, evaluating the data readiness, defining an implementation approach, and establishing time and cost estimates to build a business case for the implementation phase. It is expected that this PM will bring the Design Phase to a successful close; help the IT organization navigate their business case approval; and then serve as the PM for the implementation phase.

While experience with GIS and managing GIS projects is beneficial it is not necessarily required, if the candidate has relevant experience that correlates to the attributes of this type of project – software, large, complex, upgrade/conversion, etc. and they possess the necessary key skills, a technical aptitude and are a quick learner. In fact, we often focus on securing a strong, well-rounded Senior Technology PM who has a robust set of experiences managing time sensitive, large, Technology/IT software implementation or conversion projects using waterfall SDLC from start to finish.

The candidate must be a systems thinker and critical problem solver who has demonstrated successful delivery of enterprise software modernization projects – from initiation through implementation and project closeout. The PM must possess enough technical fluency to engage effectively with GIS staff, architects, IT system owners, field users, service providers, and implementation partners while translating complex technical concepts into meaningful business decisions and executive communications.

A demonstrated ability to drive execution with a strong sense of urgency, remove obstacles, hold teams and vendors accountable for commitments, and consistently deliver project outcomes is required. We are seeking a project leader, not simply a project administrator. This role requires a hands-on delivery leader who can independently build integrated and resourced project plans; establish measurable delivery baselines; track progress by workstream and deliverable; identify schedule and resource constraints early; and drive project teams, vendors, and stakeholders toward committed outcomes.

Experience managing technology projects utilizing structured project delivery methodologies, including Waterfall SDLC governance, stage-gate reviews, scope management, risk management, and executive reporting is required. Candidates without GIS experience must demonstrate meaningful experience with complex enterprise software projects involving IT teams, vendors, physical/logical dependencies, cutovers, and operational readiness. The successful candidate must be self-directed, proactive, highly organized, and comfortable operating with significant autonomy while remaining fully accountable for delivering measurable project outcomes.

Summary of Required Project Management Experience & Skills:

• Proven track record of successfully delivering complex, large-scale, high-dollar, multi-year software technology projects from initiation through implementation and project closeout.
• Ability to identify, plan, coordinate, and drive work across multiple IT teams, vendors, and business stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to create and maintain resource-loaded project schedules, including tasks, durations, owners, dependencies, milestones, critical path, baseline dates, forecast dates, and capacity/resource constraints.
• Demonstrated ability to drive execution, remove obstacles, challenge assumptions when appropriate, and hold project teams and vendors accountable for commitments and delivery outcomes.
• Possess strong risk, issue, dependency, and escalation management skills with the ability to proactively navigate technical complexities, setbacks, and competing priorities.
• Experience managing third-party vendors, consulting partners, system integrators, and contract resources to achieve project objectives.
• Must be willing and able to drive project performance through disciplined follow-up, clear ownership assignments, decision tracking, escalation of stalled work, vendor accountability, and transparent reporting of commitments versus actual progress.
• Ability to organize, synthesize, and present complex technical and business information to executive leadership and key stakeholders.
• Experience working within structured project delivery methodologies, including Waterfall SDLC governance, stage-gate reviews, scope management, risk management, and executive reporting. Candidates with only software development or only Agile Project Management experience will not be considered.
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead projects with minimal oversight while remaining accountable for achieving measurable project outcomes.
• GIS software project management experience is beneficial.
• Minimum of five (5) years of IT/Technology Project Management experience required. Prefer a candidate with ten (10)+ years of experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project expected.

Position Details

• Location: Hybrid (potential for mainly to 100% remote option)
• Candidates residing near our client's office should have the flexibility to work onsite occasionally, as needed.
• Hours: Must be available and work Central Time Zone business hours (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CT).
• This position requires full-time dedication during core business hours. Contractors must be fully available to support meetings, stakeholder engagement, project activities, and team collaboration during these hours.
• Residency: Preference will be given to candidates residing in Wisconsin or Iowa, but finding a quality candidate takes priority over location.
• Concurrent employment, consulting engagements, or other business activities are not permitted during core working hours.

Primary Accountabilities:

• Understands and utilizes the project management methodologies and processes (based on PMI Standards) for project delivery in order to achieve scope, schedule and cost objectives while effectively managing risks that have the potential to affect project deliverables. May also provide support for maintenance and improvement of PMO tools, templates, and processes.
• Determines specific business needs and deliverables of a project, and, utilizing project management tools, establishes and manages the costs, resources, performance measurements, timeline, and project deliverables required to complete the project and meet the expected project outcome. May be responsible for performing a cost/benefit analysis of the project and ensuring feasibility.
• Determines appropriate project resource and staffing skillsets, including determining the level of expertise needed to complete a project while assessing strategies that can be made to reduce the overall project risk factor.
• Manages applicable project contracts in conjunction with sourcing personnel. Prepares Requests for Proposals (RFPs), evaluates responses, participates in negotiations, interprets contract language, and handles finances. Ensures that the work is completed to specifications and is on schedule as specified in the contract.
• Responsible for development and execution of communication and stakeholder management plans related to projects, including the development and reporting of project status, risks and progress to stakeholders in an agreed to format, frequency, material content, and audience of the communications.
• Ensures training needs are met for project team members and users of project.
• Upon completion of projects, ensures operational teams are properly trained, work orders pertaining to the project are closed, all related finance charges are handled, team members are reassigned, documentation is in order, and a smooth transition of deliverables occurs.
• Understands and utilizes organizational change management methodology within the context of project management.
• Provides support to and mentors other in the use of organizational change management methodology and business consulting support as needed within the context of program and project management to aid in assurance of achievement of strategic objectives.
• Supervision: Performs work under the direct supervision of a manager or director.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Educational Requirements: Education Level Field of Study Required/Preferred Bachelor's Degree Preferred.
• Required Experience: 5 years of experience in project management managing medium to large sized, complex projects.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Ability to analyze and solve problems of a moderate nature and implement an effective solution.
  • Ability to organize medium to large project plans and effectively document accordingly.
  • Demonstrated ability to plan and carry out responsibilities with a minimum of direction.
  • Demonstrated effective leadership and team skills.
  • Ability to develop and apply performance measures.
  • Demonstrated effective interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to use computer software programs (e.g., e-mail, word processing, spreadsheet, and project management).
  • Ability to work in a diverse work environment.

About Beacon Technologies

Are you looking to advance your career in information technology? Beacon Technologies offers career advancement opportunities, extensive training, and excellent benefits including paying for health and dental premiums for salaried employees. In addition to providing interesting opportunities, Beacon Technologies provides that old fashioned, personal touch, so you feel like a part of the Beacon team.

Beacon Technologies, Inc. is an equal employment opportunity employer with a functioning Affirmative Action Plan. It is the policy of Beacon Technologies, Inc. to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, ethnicity, ancestry, disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Beacon Technologies, Inc. prohibits any such discrimination or harassment.