Functional Project Manager Jobs in Ankeny, IA (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary

The Sr. Project Manager will guide technical and non-technical delivery teams through its shift from Waterfall project management to a Product Delivery model, operating across both approaches while teams mature at different paces. This role is responsible for executing delivery work while also serving as a change agent, helping stakeholders and teams adapt to outcome-driven, roadmap-based value stream execution. Key outcomes include successful delivery of Life & Annuity product initiatives, index additions, and 3rd party/SaaS platform work, achieved in close partnership with Retail and Operations.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end project and product delivery, ensuring objectives are achieved across all delivery phases.
• Establish scope, objectives, resource needs, budgets, timelines, and milestones, while managing changes through appropriate continuous planning and governance techniques.
• Develop, maintain, and report on project plans, progress, and key metrics using both waterfall and agile frameworks.
• Partner with stakeholders to define product roadmaps, requirements, build status reports and communication plans, and facilitate effective team and client meetings.
• Lead risk identification and mitigation planning, track project dependencies and constraints, and escalate issues or concerns to Retail leadership as needed.
• Run PI planning and execution cycles and program-level ceremonies, and coach teams and leaders on scaled agile principles.
• Track and communicate program-level metrics while managing risks and impediments across the value stream.
• Build and sustain relationships with third-party vendors and external partners and create/maintain comprehensive project documentation meeting Retail Implementation standards.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This role does not have formal leadership responsibilities but may provide guidance, mentorship, or subject matter expertise to others.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of project, product, and business management principles, waterfall and value steam delivery methods and techniques and identifying critical paths.
• Strong interpersonal skills including Teamwork, Responsibility, Dependability, Flexibility, Leadership, and Motivation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including facilitation and presentation tailored to the specific audience.
• Ability to interact successfully with personnel at all levels of the organization in both technical and business areas with minimal guidance.
• Ability to perform at a high level in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple projects and responsibilities.
• Effectively coach delivery teams, Value Stream Leaders, and Product Owners on Agile mindsets, mechanics, and backlog/discovery practices.
• Excellent leadership, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Team player with demonstrated ability to proactively identify issues and to influence key project and program decisions to achieve desired outcomes with minimal guidance.
• Self-starter who demonstrates strong initiative and is able to operate efficiently in unpredictable and challenging project environments with minimal guidance.
• Proficient in Agile Tooling (JIRA) and Microsoft Office Applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Must be able to work independently and be able to operate efficiently in unpredictable and challenging project environments.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, Project Management, Operations Management or related field. In 7+ years of relevant experience in Project Manager or Agile Leader in Life Insurance and/or Annuity industry.
• Experience managing multiple simultaneous projects involving cross functional project teams within budgetary and schedule constraints.
• Strong Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) experience.
• Combination of education and experience considered in lieu of degree.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Waterfall, Agile and Iterative methodologies—certifications preferred.
• Experience with JIRA, and/or other project management software preferred.
• Program Management experience preferred.
• PMP, Scrum, or Scaled Agile Framework Certification preferred.

Other Requirements

• This position primarily involves sedentary work, requiring long periods of sitting, regular use of a computer, and occasional standing or walking, with reasonable accommodation available.
• Perform other functions, duties and projects as assigned
• Regular and punctual attendance

Ability to travel up to: 5% of the time

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