Program Project Manager Jobs in Lisle, IL (NOW HIRING)

Build your big career with the firm that does Big Law, Better. McDermott Will & Schulte is a leading global law firm that brings together more than 1,700+ lawyers and 1,400 business professionals. We celebrate excellence, collaboration, and community and have been recognized as a top workplace by USA Today, Fortune, The American Lawyer, Vault and others. We are also certified by Great Place to Work.

At McDermott, we don't just invest in your future, we accelerate your career - wherever it may lead. That includes supporting you both in and outside of the office.

With us, you'll find:

• A firm where everyone belongs: Our award-winning culture prioritizes warmth and authenticity - we encourage you to be yourself!

• Enthusiasm for all perspectives: We're smarter and stronger when everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. We welcome unique viewpoints and ideas, and we make opportunities for you and your career to thrive.

• Support to feel your best and do your best: Wellness is integral to building a successful career and a rich life. That's why our benefits program supports your physical, emotional, mental, and financial health, with an emphasis on work-life balance.

• Real rewards for real work: We offer generous compensation packages that recognize hard work and excellence.

Job Description:

Position Summary:

The Project Manager leads enterprise-wide initiatives that modernize the firm's technology ecosystem and support AI-driven transformation. This role manages high-visibility programs involving SaaS platforms, custom applications, enterprise infrastructure, data ecosystems, integrations, platform modernization, GenAI deployments and AI-enabled capabilities to support seamless business solutions and workflow enhancements. The Project Manager partners with technology, business, innovation, and executive stakeholders to develop actionable delivery plans, communicate risks and value, evaluate competing priorities, and drive alignment across cross-functional teams. This position operates with minimal oversight and relies on significant experience, strategic judgment, and decision-making skills to plan and accomplish objectives.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Program /Project & Delivery Leadership

• Lead enterprisescale tech, digital, and AI programs; own endtoend delivery and governance

• Manage scope, budget, timelines, risks, quality, and crossteam dependencies

• Lead medium- to large-scale technical, digital transformation, and AI-enabled programs across the enterprise

• Drive end-to-end delivery across software development, systems integration, infrastructure, and AI implementation workstreams

• Translate complex business objectives into actionable strategies, roadmaps, and measurable outcomes

• Establish governance frameworks, delivery standards, risk mitigation plans, and executive reporting structures

• Manage project scope, budgets, timelines, dependencies, quality controls, and stakeholder alignment throughout the project lifecycle

• Build and maintain detailed project plans while balancing competing priorities, evolving business needs, and delivery commitments

• Partner with technical teams to ensure solutions meet integration, security, governance, and operational readiness requirements

• Maintain program documentation, audit readiness, and decision traceability for enterprise initiatives

Strategic Decision-Making & Problem Solving

• Drive prioritization, resourcing, issue resolution, and scalable solution recommendations

• Anticipate challenges, mitigate risks early, and apply structured analytical judgment

• Lead strategic decision-making related to scope, prioritization, resourcing, sequencing, and delivery execution across complex technical and AI-enabled initiatives

• Evaluate operational, technical, business, and governance considerations to recommend scalable, sustainable, and enterprise-aligned solutions

• Proactively identify, assess, mitigate, and escalate risks, issues, and decision points while presenting actionable recommendations and resolution strategies

• Apply a structured and analytical approach to problem-solving by anticipating challenges, recognizing risks early, and developing practical solutions beyond the obvious

• Exercise sound independent judgment with significant day-to-day impact on project direction, delivery strategy, and overall program success

• Maintain the highest level of confidentiality and discretion regarding firm, client, and AI-enabled information, systems, integrations, and data sources

Stakeholder & Team Leadership

• Align executives, business, and technical teams; communicate clearly; resolve blockers

• Motivate teams, foster accountability, and maintain delivery excellence

• Serve as a trusted liaison between executive leadership, business stakeholders, technical teams, vendors, and external partners

• Facilitate alignment across cross-functional teams with competing priorities and complex decision-making requirements

• Present technical and AI-related concepts, risks, tradeoffs, and recommendations to executive leadership in a clear and actionable manner

• Lead and motivate project teams while fostering accountability, collaboration, and delivery excellence

• Build strong relationships across business, technical, and governance stakeholders to support successful program execution

• Deliver executive presentations, dashboards, status reporting, and communications that clearly reflect project health, milestones, risks, and outcomes

• Resolve blockers, resource constraints, and delivery challenges in fast-paced and high-pressure environments

Technical Competencies

• Oversee integrations, APIs, cloud platforms, AI lifecycle, and Agile delivery tools

• Experience managing enterprise integrations, APIs, data flows, cloud-based platforms, and enterprise applications

• Understanding of AI implementation lifecycle considerations, including governance, evaluation, testing, adoption, operational support, and responsible AI practices

• Familiarity with Agile delivery methodologies and tools such as Jira, Azure DevOps, Smartsheet, or similar platforms

• Experience coordinating technical dependencies across infrastructure, security, application development, and data teams

Job Specifications:

• At least five (5) years of progressive project or program management experience leading enterprise technology initiatives

• Bachelor's degree

• Experience within a law firm, consulting, or professional services organization

• Business analysis and/or technical writing experience

• Experience with enterprise change management and digital transformation initiatives

• Certifications such as:

  • PMP

  • Agile/Scrum

  • ITIL

  • SAFe

• AI-related certifications

• Ability to manage complex software development and systems integration projects

• Ability to deliver AI/ML or Generative AI initiatives in enterprise environments

• Strong understanding of project management methodologies including Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, and hybrid delivery models

• Ability to manage enterprise-level stakeholders, including executive leadership

• Ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously in fast-changing environments

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word)

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Strong organizational skills

• Ability to work under tight deadlines and prioritize responsibilities

• Ability to handle and maintain confidential information

• Ability to learn new concepts and skills quickly

Successful candidates will be provided with outstanding career opportunities and will receive a competitive total rewards package with the opportunity to earn performance-based bonuses.

Target Hiring Range $110,000 - $150,000

Please note that quoted salary ranges are not guarantees of what final salary offers may be. Base pay is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographic location. Base pay is only one part of the Total Rewards that MWS provides to compensate and recognize our staff professionals for their work. Full time positions are eligible for a discretionary bonus and a comprehensive benefits package.

#LI-EF1

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stoop, talk and hear

• Employee must occasionally lift up to twenty (20) pounds

Work Environment:

Typical indoor office environment

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people within this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this job.