Project Manager (Hybrid in Syracuse, NY)

At every stage of life, Empower Federal Credit Union positively impacts members by providing affordable financial services. Our core values are Fairness, Integrity & Honesty, and our strategic pillars focus on delivering a World-Class Employee Experience, Best-In-Class Member Experience, Growth for Impact, and Shared Value in the Community.

About the role

The Project Manager leads strategic projects through their entire lifecycle, applying enterprise project management methodologies and industry guidelines. This includes managing internal team members and external vendors, addressing risks and issues, and exercising judgment in escalation and decision-making. Effective interaction with management at all levels is essential for driving organizational change and ensuring project success.

Location: Hybrid model based in Syracuse, NY, requiring a minimum of 5 days in office per month.

Pay: The salary range for this role is $75,699.51 to $113,549.27 annually.

Benefits

• Medical and Dental Insurance
• 401K with Employer Match
• Holiday Pay
• Paid Time Off

Empower FCU fosters a world-class employee experience by developing genuine relationships, encouraging open communication, and promoting teamwork. We value unique backgrounds, voices, and experiences, creating a culture of belonging that fuels innovation and success.

Responsibilities

• 25% Project Management: Lead strategic projects through the full lifecycle using enterprise project management methodologies. Manage activities and deliverables of internal teams and external vendors to achieve project objectives. Identify, assess, and address project risks and issues, making informed decisions and escalating as necessary. Act as a change agent, driving organizational change with maturity and flexibility.
• 25% Project Timeline Management: Oversee coordination of business, IT, and external service provider teams. Schedule and align activities to meet project milestones. Address and escalate performance concerns to the Project Sponsor and functional managers. Ensure effective communication among all project stakeholders to align objectives and resolve issues promptly. Monitor and adjust project timelines to keep projects on track and within scope.
• 25% Project Scope & Deliverables: Lead the development of business cases and project benefits during the initiation phase. Develop and manage a detailed project scope, including change orders, ensuring necessary approvals. Create and maintain a detailed project schedule, addressing variances and ensuring successful execution. Oversee the creation and maintenance of essential project deliverables, including Vendor Contracts, Communications Plan, Testing Plan, Training Plan, and Implementation Plan. Ensure high quality and consistency in all project artifacts and outputs.
• 20% Reporting & Communication: Provide regular project status updates to stakeholders through team meetings, reports, and other communication methods. Escalate issues and decisions appropriately with the Project Sponsor and PMO. Advocate for the continuous improvement of the organization’s Project Management Methodology.
• 5% Other Duties: Perform all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Experience: 5 to 7 years of project management experience leading strategic initiatives, with a strong focus on applying Project Management Institute (PMI) standards and guidelines. Experience in implementing new software technology or managing system conversions is highly desirable; experience within the financial industry is a plus.
• Education: Bachelor's degree is preferred. Project Management certification or training (e.g., PMP, Scrum Master) is beneficial but not required.
• Interpersonal Skills: Extensive personal contact with all levels of the organization, requiring diplomacy and confidence to effectively communicate project needs. Ability to motivate others, solicit cooperation, and maintain good working relationships across departments.
• Other Skills:
  • Demonstrated business acumen and strong negotiation skills.
  • Highly developed oral and written communication skills, with strong presentation capabilities.
  • Proven ability to concurrently manage multiple projects at different stages of their lifecycle.
  • Excellent organization and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines independently.
  • Expertise in resource planning, project scheduling, and adjusting project plans as necessary.
  • Ability to synthesize and summarize both business and technical project status.

Physical Requirements

• Extended working hours may be required, along with periodic travel to conferences and seminars, which may involve out-of-town trips.
• The physical demands include standing for long periods, using hands to finger, handle, or feel, and the ability to talk and hear.
• Occasionally, the employee may be required to walk, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The role may involve lifting or moving up to 35 pounds.
• Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Work Environment

The work environment is typically moderate in noise level. This job description is not a complete statement of all duties and responsibilities comprising the position.

All candidates will be subject to a background check to determine employment eligibility. For roles that require an NMLS, a credit check may also be conducted.