Independent Project Manager Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Position Description:
• The Project Manager (PM) works independently assuming primary responsibility for planning, directing, coordinating and delivering project activities through the entire project life cycle (from initiation to hand off to customer) that are broad in scope.
• The PM is responsible to achieve project objectives and completion on time, on budget, and in conformance to Client project management methodologies and standards.
• The PM may independently lead one or multiple medium to large projects that have department or site level strategic importance.
• Project work has moderate to high risk and risk interdependencies, may have several interrelationships, and may have moderate to high costs associated.
• Responsible for managing established budget, participates in the creation and tracking of project budgets.
• Position requires strict adherence to budget management and guidelines of both the assigned department and the institution.
• Facilitates problem-solving, decision-making and change management, taking prudent actions to accomplish project objectives under minimal supervision.
• Calls upon experience to manage projects, and is competent in the implementation of project results.
• Applies negotiations skills characterized by entrepreneurial thinking.
• Must have strong business acumen and ability to work with diverse functions and build relationships.
• May require matrix supervision, and evaluation of staff from other departments, divisions, and contractors/vendors.
• May have direct and indirect reports.
• Responsible for demonstrating the project focused culture, and advises other staff regarding PM practices, methods and standards.
• Performs additional job functions as detailed by immediate supervisor.
• Use and application of Agile methodologies is important to this role.
• May be responsible for monitoring scrum processes and meetings.
• May work to increase efficiency, motivate the team, and advocate for changes to ensure quality and timeliness.
Leading project teams may include the following:
• Guide teams on Agile practices and values to implement critical projects
• Assess maturity of the team/organization and coaching to higher levels, at a sustainable pace
• Remove impediments or guiding team to do so; escalating to management when appropriate
• Build a trusting and safe environment where problems can be raised and resolved
• Facilitate work without coercion, assigning, or dictating
• Facilitate discussion, decision-making, and conflict resolution
• Support and educate Product Owner, especially on creating the backlog and refining it.
Key Responsibilities
• Provide day-to-day project management support across multiple initiatives/workstreams.
• Track project plans, milestones, risks, dependencies, decisions, and action items.
• Coordinate meetings, agendas, and documentation across multiple workstreams.
• Prepare status reports, dashboards, and communications.
• Assist with backlog governance and delivery tracking.
• Partner with product, operational, technical, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment and follow-through on commitments.
• Escalate risks, blockers, and dependency issues to program leadership as appropriate.
• Support change management and operational readiness activities.
• Maintain organized project documentation and ensure information is current and accessible.
Preferred Background
• We are looking for an individual who is highly organized and execution-focused, with a proven ability to coordinate work across multiple teams and maintain momentum on complex initiatives.
• Experience supporting program leaders and managing the operational aspects of large initiatives is highly desirable.
Position Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree with 7 years of experience in Project Management and business-related activities or Master's degree with 4 years of experience in Project Management related activities.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification preferred.
• Education preference: project management, business administration, management.
Must-Have Qualifications
• Project management experience supporting medium to large cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with Agile delivery practices and Jira.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a complex, matrixed environment.
• Proactive problem-solving skills and comfort operating with some ambiguity.
• Ability to quickly understand the broader program context while remaining highly attentive to execution details.
Nice-to-Have Qualifications
• Healthcare or health care technology experience.
• Experience supporting product-oriented teams or digital/product portfolios.
• Experience working in a large, complex health care organization.
• PMP, Scrum/Agile, or related certifications.
• Familiarity with Client processes and ways of working would be beneficial but is not required.
Education:
• Candidates should also include any certifications they have, which may include but are not necessarily limited to Certified Product Management, Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Advanced Certified Scrum Master (A-CSM), PMI Agile Certified Practitioner, and/or Certified Scrum Professional (CSP).