Communications Project Manager

Are you well versed in managing communications projects of all types, from inception to completion? Does a dynamic work environment where no two days are the same invigorate you? We're looking for a seasoned Communications Project Manager to join our large, vertically integrated communications team. As part of your responsibilities, you'll ensure our communications projects are planned, scheduled, and completed on budget, on time, and in alignment with our strategic priorities. Success in this position requires a flexible, solutions-oriented mindset - amid evolving priorities, deadlines, and tasks, you should be able to pivot seamlessly and multitask efficiently while providing professional, high-quality customer service.

This position is based at our state-of-the-art headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin. You'll have a hybrid schedule, generally working in the office three days a week and remotely two days a week.

On a day-to-day basis, you may do the following.

• Manage the intake process for communications project requests. This includes promptly reviewing, responding to, and assigning requests.
• Manage all aspects of communications projects. This includes coordinating client activities, determining appropriate project timelines and objectives, and making clients aware of project scope.
• Communicate with clients, stakeholders, and Strategic Communications leadership to ensure communications deliverables effectively and efficiently meet business needs.
• Use insights and project management best practices and tools to improve team processes, boost team efficiency and effectiveness, and achieve client goals.
• Maintain project status in the Strategic Communications project management system and monitor and report project progress to stakeholders. This includes communicating potential risks or delays and recommending actionable solutions to realign with project goals.
• Assess and recommend project management system solutions for continued or future use.
• Ensure continued project and task progress by closely collaborating with team members and clients.
• Close completed projects. This includes documenting project costs, successes, challenges, and results.
• Observe the working and project environment, gather data, and solicit feedback to spot issues before they escalate. This includes monitoring project performance and stakeholder expectations and identifying potential risks.
• Identify potential organizational and team risks involving the Strategic Communications team's essential functions, recommend mitigation strategies, and implement process changes as needed.
• Support the project team through one-on-one interactions and during regular and ad hoc meetings to ensure team operations run smoothly.
• Support capacity planning for project reallocation and forecasted projects by assessing current workloads and future project needs.
• In collaboration with the Purchasing team, secure accurate and cost-effective bids from external vendors (e.g., service providers and printers). As needed, act as the primary point of contact for external vendors to ensure services are delivered on time.
• In collaboration with stakeholders, plan, coordinate, and oversee on-site convenings for both internal and external audiences.
• Hire, manage, develop, and provide general and technical guidance to direct reports. This includes assigning work, establishing standards and priorities, creating professional development plans, managing staff training, setting performance objectives, and sharing performance feedback.
• Participate in educational opportunities, read professional publications, maintain personal networks, and engage in professional development opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

A highly qualified candidate will possess the following.

• Knowledge equivalent to a degree in communications, marketing, project management, or a related field.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible project management experience.
• Five or more years of leadership or supervisory experience.
• Five or more years of experience working with creative or communications teams desired.
• Experience with project management software, such as Adobe Workfront.
• Experience with the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Project management certification desired.
• Experience working within a philanthropic organization preferred.
• Experience with current business process improvement disciplines, tools, and techniques.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to successfully define and execute project activities from initiation through completion.
• Relationship and team building, workflow analysis, needs analysis and requirements, cost benefit analysis, group presentation, and strategic and operational planning skills.
• Ability to learn and be self-sufficient.
• Ability to adhere to standards, procedures, and methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to perform job functions with minimal direction or supervision and, when appropriate, direct others.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate others.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure to meet critical deadlines yet remain flexible in responding to changing requirements.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with peers, clients, and senior management.
• Effective interpersonal skills exemplified by initiative, courtesy, diplomacy, positive attitude, professionalism, and appropriate business ethics.
• Ability to consistently demonstrate a high level of customer service.
• Strong facilitation skills.

Ascendium offers an outstanding benefits package designed to provide employees and their families with a high degree of security. These benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Student loan repayment assistance and tuition reimbursement.
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
• Generous time off, including up to eight weeks of paid parental leave.
• Flexible, hybrid schedule.

Ascendium provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, creed, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

H-1B sponsorship (initiation or transfer) is not available for this position.

If you would like assistance with the application process, please email Ascendium Human Resources. We invite all applicants to complete the Voluntary Affirmative Action questions when submitting application materials. The questions are found at the end of the online application process. To learn more about our commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity, please visit the Ascendium Careers webpage.

Ascendium requires criminal, employment, and education background investigations before hiring.