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Project Manager (Contract)

WHO WE ARE:
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is one of the nation's largest independent foundations.  Through the support it provides, the Foundation fosters the development of knowledge, nurtures individual creativity, strengthens institutions, helps improve public policy, and provides information to the public, primarily through support for public interest media.
POSITION SUMMARY:
We are seeking a Project Manager (contract consultant) to assist the Foundation in coordinating an initiative already underway to improve how it (i) builds and implements strategies for its programmatic areas of work, (ii) manages and awards grants, and (iii) fosters collaboration and efficiency across the Foundation.  This process improvement initiative, that naturally requires significant change management, is commonly known as OneFoundation and includes three core components: program strategy, knowledge management, and grants management.
ROLE: 
The Project Manager will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of the OneFoundation initiative.  This will involve coordinating the workstreams and ensuring their efforts are aligned with each other and with the overall objectives of the OneFoundation initiative. 
 The Project Manager will report to the OneFoundation Coordinating Team (OFCT) Chair. The Project Manager will also work with the CIO to ensure that implications of the technology roadmap that will support the requirements resulting from the recommendations of the working groups are effectively integrated.
RESPONSIBILITIES: 
The primary responsibilities of the Project Manager include the following:
 --Assist OFCT in coordinating all aspects of the OneFoundation initiative;
--Conduct an initial assessment of the initiative structure and make recommendations for improvements, if necessary;
--Develop an initiative schedule that includes timelines, benchmarks, dependencies, and decision points;
--Develop an initiative budget and cost estimates for implementing process changes;
--Review, edit and/or summarize where necessary existing initiative documents including reports developed by others;
--Monitor and update the initiative plan and budget assumptions;
--Provide advice and guidance to the workstream leaders and attend workstream meetings when appropriate; meet regularly with workstream leaders;
--Provide problem-solving support to facilitate key decisions by OFCT, supported by clear documentation;
--Edit written workstream deliverables and ensure written documents are consistent across the initiative including those related to the technology aspects of the initiative;
--Provide OFCT Chair with status reports that provide clarity on progress and impact (e.g., financial, activity status);
--Use status reports to structure key decisions of OFCT, as required;
--Assume responsibility for supporting members of OFCT and Senior Group to deliver internal communications about the initiative; and
--Maintain OneFoundation initiative site.
DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 
The ideal candidate will have:
 --Experience in managing process improvement projects.
--Experience in managing diverse work groups and teams to meet overall project objectives.
--Ability to engage multiple parties in order to build momentum and quickly develop solutions.
--A strong background in evaluating and improving business processes.
--A good knowledge of how technology relates to business process improvement.
--Track record of and commitment to delivering projects on time and on budget.
--Ability to propose solutions to overcome barriers to progress.
--Ability to handle multiple projects across multiple teams.
--Proven ability in preparing and delivering informative and well-organized presentations and reports.
--Ability to clearly communicate complex messages to decision-makers and other key audiences.
--Ability to work with wide range of people and build consensus.
--Superior writing skills appropriate for various audiences.
--Understanding of performance management; able to design metrics to meaningfully track initiative progress and impact with an understanding of key drivers for foundations.
 QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION: 
--Formal education and training in a discipline consistent with this role such as business administration or organizational change.
--A minimum of five years of experience in project management role that includes technology solutions.
--Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.
--Understanding, proven ability, and legal status to work effectively with the team as a contract consultant.
TIME REQUIRED:
The Project Manager will be expected to devote an estimated, but not guaranteed, 35 to 40 hours per week to the initiative over a period of at least one year.  This is an estimate that might be revised after an initial assessment of the work or periodically throughout the initiative, including a possible extension beyond one year.  The Project Manager will be expected to maintain the flexibility to devote the necessary hours to adhere to the agreed-upon implementation timeline.

The Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and benefits from the various perspectives and talents of a racially and culturally diverse staff.

http://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH13/ats/careers/requisition.jsp;jsessionid=7C13851CFFE288810FBD377C65E20C61.NA10_primary_jvm?org=MACFOUND&cws=1&rid=248