Project Manager chez Open Society Foundations

The ideal Project Manager is a doer, a communicator, a team leader, a listener, a negotiator, and a change maker that makes things happen in a matrix organization, is detail-oriented organized, structured, and practical, listens more than talks, over communicates and delivers ideas and concepts.  Skills required include project management, data analysis and reporting, effective relationship management, intra-departmental coordination, effective communication, change management and collaborative problem solving. This role relies on maintaining collegial relationships within IT and external to IT.

Key responsibilities

As the Project Manager, your key responsibilities are as follows:

• Listen to our clients and sponsors and help drive strategy conversations, create vision presentations, and develop complex program and project plan
• Understand the big picture and value delivery while focusing on efficiency and optimization
• Manage data initiatives and deliver data insights, forecasts, and recommended actions
• Create and manage program/project budgets from 100K-1m
• Create order out of chaos using project management techniques and tools
• Orchestrate times zones, milestones, deadlines, and dependencies
• Break silos by building communications and processes for interacting with subject matter experts within IT
• Communicate clearly and deliver sophisticated change management plans, training plans and project communications
• Have ability to recognize failed projects and course-correct when necessary, including stopping failed projects
• Embrace IT Governance processes and procedures, stakeholder management and change management processes and techniques

People Responsibilities (Total Team/DRs)

No

Key metrics

• PMO key performance indicators (I.e., the percentage of projects that are completed as a ratio of all the projects in a portfolio, benefit tracking, budget/cost variances, risk mitigation and issue resolution tracking).
• Vendor Management: Evaluate the performance of external vendors providing application support and outsourcing services. Measure vendor response times, resolution effectiveness, and adherence to service level agreements.
• Customer Satisfaction: Monitor and measure customer satisfaction levels through surveys, feedback, and other means. Track customer satisfaction scores and strive for continuous improvement in service delivery.

Key internal relationships

Deputy CIO, CIO, Team Manager, Legal, Finance, Communications, Global Operations, Global Security, RE&F, P&C, Program/Opportunity leads, regional leads, IT Security, IT Infrastructure, and Business Design & Mgmt. 

Key external relationships

Outsourcing and service providers

The ideal candidate

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in technology or a relevant field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Change Management Certification (PROSCI)
• 8+ years of work experience in a situation relevant to the duties of this role, sufficient to develop demonstrable competence in skills as indicated above
• Experience with IT vendor management and control
• Experience managing change and IT Project Management: project planning and execution, resource allocation and risk management
• Experiences sourcing and managing complex data sets across various IT Systems
• Working knowledge of Microsoft products and PowerBI

Languages

• An excellent knowledge of English
• Knowledge of other languages would be an asset

What we offer 

• Exceptional opportunities to learn, grow, and make an impact; from a generous annual professional development allowance for every employee to onsite training and learning conversations with visiting experts.
• Excellent benefits and perks to promote well-being and a healthy work-life balance, including:
  • Generous time off and flexible work arrangements.
  • Employer-paid health insurance and dental plans for individuals and families (no employee contribution required).
  • Exceptional retirement savings plan (non-contributory for employees) and life insurance.
  • Progressive paid parental leave, reproductive and family planning support, and much more.
• A commitment to nurturing a diverse and inclusive workplace, so you can bring your whole self to work and make a positive impact.

Who we are      

Open Society Foundations aim to establish vibrant and inclusive democracies where governments are accountable to their citizens. Our operating model organizes grantmaking around specific, time-limited projects, developed alongside support for established partners, enabling us to respond swiftly to emerging needs. We are committed to promoting human dignity, equality, and rights; reimagining democratic ideals and practice; and advancing equity in governance systems.

Guided by our founder’s values and the belief in the art of the possible, we engage directly with global entities, individuals, and policymakers through grants, advocacy, impact investing, and strategic human rights litigation to drive positive change. At the heart of our mission is a deep commitment to rights, equity, and justice, inspiring every action we take.

Additional information

Open Society Foundations is committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We actively seek applications from talented individuals across all backgrounds, identities, and life experiences. Each candidate is evaluated solely on their unique qualifications without regard to race, age, sex, religion, ethnic origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, or any other legally protected characteristics.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities.