Excellus Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Under the guidance of the assigned EPMO leader, the EPMO Project Manager is responsible for managing and delivering application, operations, ongoing program, and/or business projects for the Excellus Health Plan.

Essential Primary Responsibilities/Accountabilities:

• Works with Project Manager Levels II/III/IV to determine project schedules, deliverables, assignments, tasks, project meetings (scheduling and meeting notes), status reporting, communication, and action items, as required.
• Works with Project Managers Level II/III/IV and project teams to track work, tasks, and project assignments in order to keep projects on-time and within scope and budget.
• Facilitates core team meetings and other relevant project meetings including managing project agendas and minutes.
• Creates and manages documents in support of the project Change Management (CMR) process.
• Functions as a back-up for Project Manager Levels II/III/IV, as needed.
• Performs project management duties over small tier and Enterprise projects or other initiatives as assigned.
• Maintains currency on emerging project management techniques and advanced communication mechanisms.
• Learns departmental tools required to do the work: Planview, Microsoft Teams, Sciquest, SNOW etc.
• Monitors and evaluates quality of performance and product from all work within scope of responsibility.
• Always acts professionally.
• Fosters an environment of continuous improvement and encourages innovative thinking.
• Consistently demonstrates high standards of integrity by supporting the Lifetime Healthcare Companies' mission and values, adhering to the Corporate Code of Conduct and leading to the Lifetime Way values and beliefs.
• Maintains high regard for member privacy in accordance with the corporate privacy policies and procedures.
• Regular and reliable attendance is expected and required.
• Performs other functions as assigned by management.

Level II (in addition to Level I responsibilities):

• Plans, directs, and coordinates a matrixed team's activities to manage and implement approved scope from business case through project close-out.
• Plans, schedules, monitors, and reports on activities related to the project.
• Determines, monitors, and reviews all project economics to include project costs, operational budgets, staffing requirements, project resources, and project risks.
• Monitors and controls project scope, requirements and change management needs.
• Identifies the appropriate blend of talent and resources to meet project needs and requirements.
• Formulates contingency plans to address schedule revisions, resource adjustments, funding allocations, and work requirements.
• Applies appropriate tools to accurately estimate and plan the work of teams or project groups within agreed processes and policies. Produces work plans according to required standards.
• Monitors and reports on the progress of the resolution of high impact problems according to established standards.
• Escalates issues which project team is unable to resolve through appropriate channels relating to schedules, working methods, resources, staff matters, or technical difficulties. Passes decisions clearly outside scope of project upward, including proposed solutions whenever appropriate.
• Meets regularly with management, sponsors, and project teams to review project scope/progress and resolve project issues.
• Establishes appropriate metrics for measuring key project criteria.
• Maintains currency on emerging technologies and project management techniques.
• Monitors and evaluates quality of performance and product from all work within scope of responsibility.
• Fosters an environment of continuous improvement. Constantly exploring ways to increase efficiencies and productivity, reducing waste, and reducing costs.
• Matrix manages cross-functional suppliers: internal IT, outsource partners, contractors, third-party consultants, etc., in delivering solutions.
• Maintains knowledge of hardware, software, organizational policies, and organizational management structures and uses this knowledge to advise on and justify their current use.
• Directly negotiates with and functions as a liaison between functional partners, users, and suppliers.

Level III (in addition to Level II responsibilities):

• Represents Managers and Directors of supported areas in all meetings pertaining to related projects, including decision-making responsibilities, attendance at Corporate and regional committees, meetings and workgroups.
• Coaches and provides counsel to members of cross-functional teams to accomplish project objectives, meet established schedules and budget, or resolve technical/operational issues.
• Serves as a Change Leader, developing and implementing strategies that will benefit the Heath Plan.
• Mentors new Project Managers on Excellus methodology, processes, tools, organizational structure.
• Assists with coordination of the workload of several Level I/II and Contract PMs on larger projects requiring multiple PMs and teams.
• Works with various groups across the organization to define the scope of a project and how that contributes to larger strategic goals and initiatives of a department and/or the corporation.
• Develops, proposes, and negotiates project proposals, quotations, and add-ons to leadership and the customer. May be responsible for preparing incoming management for transition from implementation to operating stage.
• Contributes suggestions and works independently to implement changes to project management methodology and processes; gains consensus amongst various groups to accept the changes.

Level IV (in addition to Level III responsibilities):

• Performs elevated project management duties; specifically, provides focus on business outcomes and measurable business benefits, manages multiple projects which target one defined business outcome, manages changes in business strategy and priorities, and maintains an organizational/enterprise wide focus.
• Meets with Project Managers regularly to discuss project related tasks, schedules, risks & issues and deliverables.
• Manages large scale, highly visible, strategic enterprise projects that may transition to ongoing responsibility as 'owner' for end to end program management
• Functions as a resource to the project team in areas of escalation & support, critical path management and as a level one escalation point of contact for other project managers, Business areas, Sponsors, IT staff and EPMO leadership.
• Provides project management expertise, guidance and support to other Project Managers
• Builds strong professional relationships with Project Managers and leadership.
• Provides supplemental training to Project Managers as needed.
• Develops and communicates project management best practices.
• Provides governance for project artifacts including project schedule review.
• Project Management Subject Matter Expert in usage of change management, project methodology, budget management, risk management and other project processes and procedures.
• May support EPMO Leadership with interviewing of new candidates; on-boarding process for new employees or contractors; providing input to staff performance reviews.
• Creates program level summarized status reporting as appropriate. May engage Demand Management and Business Resource Managers as necessary for business case questions/development.
• Contributes to Methodology and Process creation; comments and reviews to enhance organizational process maturity and delivery capability. Fosters an environment of continuous improvement.
• Assists with the definition, streamlining and improvement of execution and governance processes, identifies and assists with opportunities for enhancing process uniformity.
• May represent Managers and Directors of supported areas in meetings pertaining to related projects, including decision-making responsibilities, attendance at Corporate and regional committees, other meetings and workgroups.

Minimum Qualifications:

NOTE: We include multiple levels of classification differentiated by demonstrated knowledge, skills, and the ability to manage increasingly independent and/or complex assignments, broader responsibility, multiple projects and/or programs, additional decision making, and in some cases, becoming a resource to others. In addition to using this differentiated approach to place new hires, it also provides guideposts for employee development and promotional opportunities.

Level I:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Administration or relevant field (or four additional years related work experience in lieu of degree).
• Three (3) years related work experience.
• Technically competent with various software programs such as MS Project, Word, OneNote, Excel and PowerPoint.
• General knowledge of multiple project methodologies: Waterfall, Agile, SDLC, etc.
• Maintains awareness of project management methodologies, processes and deliverables.
• Ability to conform to shifting priorities, demands and timelines through analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to react to project adjustments and alterations promptly and efficiently.
• Ability to be flexible during times of change.