Senior Project Manager – Organizational Change Management - Blue Star Partners LLC

Job Title: Senior Project Manager – Organizational Change Management
Location: Preference given to candidates in Oregon or Washington
Remote: Yes, with occasional travel to client site
Period: 03/03/2025 – 04/25/2025 (with strong likelihood of extension)
Hours/Week: 40 hours
Rate: $125 – $140/hour based on experience
Contract Type: W-2 or 1099

Scope of Services:

The Senior Project Manager will oversee and execute the organizational change management efforts for a utilities client, ensuring alignment between people, processes, and technology. This project will involve managing the implementation and execution of strategies that enable the successful transformation of the organization. The Senior Project Manager will lead cross-functional teams to assess the current state, develop strategies for the future state, and ensure a structured and timely delivery of key milestones. This role will also include managing stakeholder engagement, guiding the change process, and providing actionable recommendations to ensure sustainable success. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in managing complex transformation projects, with a focus on change management and project delivery.

Role, Responsibilities & Deliverables:

• Project Leadership & Change Management: Lead the overall project, driving the change management strategy and execution. Oversee and ensure the successful completion of all phases of the project, from initial assessment to final recommendations.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management: Foster strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels. Ensure alignment on project goals, milestones, and deliverables by effectively communicating the project’s objectives and progress.
• Implementation Plan & Execution: Develop a detailed project plan that includes key milestones, timelines, and responsibilities. Ensure that the plan effectively addresses change management requirements and project delivery timelines, incorporating feedback as necessary to ensure successful implementation.
• Process Improvement & Gap Analysis: Assess the current processes and systems, identify inefficiencies, and propose improvements. Manage the design of solutions that align with organizational goals, ensuring the integration of process improvements into the overall transformation effort.
• Risk Management & Mitigation: Identify potential project risks, develop mitigation strategies, and ensure that these are continuously monitored throughout the engagement. Adjust strategies as necessary to address unforeseen challenges.
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead the project team, ensuring clear communication and effective collaboration. Ensure that all team members are aligned with the project’s goals and deliverables.
• Training & Development: Work with the team to create and implement training programs for staff to ensure the successful adoption of new systems, processes, and roles.
• Reporting & Documentation: Provide regular updates to senior leadership on project progress, identifying any issues and recommending solutions. Ensure that all communications regarding the transformation are clear, timely, and appropriately targeted.
• Final Recommendations & Transition Plan: Deliver a final project report, summarizing activities, milestones, and lessons learned. Provide actionable recommendations for future phases or continued success, ensuring sustainability beyond the initial engagement.

Required Experience:

• Project Management Expertise: Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in project management, particularly leading organizational transformation and change management initiatives.
• Experience in Utilities: Experience working within the utilities sector, especially in electric energy, is strongly preferred.
• Organizational Change Management: Proven experience in managing organizational change, driving improvements in processes and technology, and aligning people to strategic goals.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrated ability to work with senior leadership, cross-functional teams, and other key stakeholders to ensure alignment and buy-in.
• Project Delivery: Experience in delivering complex projects on time, within scope, and on budget, with a focus on managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Consulting: Ability to provide strategic advice and tailor solutions to meet specific client needs, aligning with business goals and objectives.
• Technology Integration: Experience in integrating change management strategies within large-scale technology implementations is a plus.
• Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Key Skills:

• Leadership: Ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage conflicts, and drive change in a dynamic environment.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think strategically, execute on plans, and ensure that projects deliver measurable results that align with business objectives.
• Change Management Methodology: Deep knowledge of change management frameworks such as PROSCI, ADKAR, or others, and the ability to apply them effectively in practice.
• Risk Management: Ability to identify, assess, and mitigate project risks throughout the course of the initiative.
• Consulting Skills: Strong consultative approach, with the ability to engage clients, understand their needs, and deliver solutions that drive value.
• Adaptability: Ability to adjust to changing priorities and challenges, ensuring continued focus on achieving key project objectives.

Education & Certifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Organizational Development, Human Resources, or related field.
• Certifications: PROSCI Change Management Certification (required); Project Management Professional (PMP) or Agile Certification is a plus.
• Additional Qualifications: Experience with Lean Six Sigma, ITIL, or other relevant certifications is beneficial.