Information Technology Project Leader

ZS Associates is the world’s largest consulting firm focused exclusively on improving business performance through sales and marketing consulting solutions, from customer insights and strategy to analytics, operations and technology. Together, we design and implement strategies that lead to greater market share, more competitive operations and increased use of today’s latest technologies.

We seek an experienced Information Technology professional in our Evanston, IL office. The IT Project Leader will be responsible for supporting the project portfolio and the delivery of end-user facing projects for the IT department. The role includes acquiring resources and coordinating the efforts of team members and enterprise stakeholders in order to deliver projects according to plan.

* Executes the end-to-end management of projects: including resource management, communications, training requirements, change management and budget (if applicable). * Estimate the resources and participants needed to achieve project goals. * Reviews and recommends changes, reductions or additions to the overall project * Acts as the liaison between IT and end-users * Maintains the efficiency of the project management process such as planning, scheduling, and budget and risk assessment. Identifies and mitigates potential risks * Work with cross-functional teams and staff of all levels, including assisting in the development, training and assignment of work/projects to team members reporting to others; * Creates a structure/environment in which team members can work together as an efficient team.

* Bachelor’s Degree required, master’s degree preferred; * 7 - 10 years of relevant work experience, including project and team management; * PMP-PMI certification desired, or completion within a year of assuming the position; * Project plan development experience, including charter, scope, project management approach, management plans, statement of work, cost estimates, schedule; * Demonstrated leadership experience, ability to set direction and vision, build consensus around recommendations, work with a team to meet objectives * Excellent communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills; ability to interface and influence all levels within the organization, including facilitation, consulting, negotiation, and presentation. * Excellent project management and coordination skills working with multiple stakeholders across several technology platforms and business areas * Strong technical skills and experience. Ideal candidate has lead projects relating to end-user and/or client impacting technical deliveries or migrations (ie. Operating system migration, new collaboration tool deployment, new software/hardware deployment, custom application deployment, etc.) * Project plan and budget management; * Knowledge of project management best practices, * Experience identifying and mediating risk.