Project Manager Level 1 Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

eDiscovery Project Manager, Level 2
Hybrid (3 days/week onsite)
Reports to: Sr. Project Director
Salary Range: $123,500-$136,500 OTE ($95,000–$105,000 base + 30% bonus) 

ABOUT NEXTPOINT

Nextpoint builds transformative software and services for the legal industry — making eDiscovery, case management, and litigation prep simple, fluid, and affordable for law firms of all sizes. Our secure, cloud-based platform lets teams start document review in minutes, backed by powerful analytics, an intuitive interface, and best-in-class security at every point.

We're problem solvers, simplifiers, and challenge seekers, united by a shared goal: a great team culture and satisfied clients. We're headquartered in Chicago's Ravenswood neighborhood and proud to have been named one of Built In's Best Startups to Work for in Chicago five years running (2022–2026).

ABOUT THE ROLE

A Project Manager, Level 2 serves as a senior client solutions partner and internal subject matter expert across all phases of the EDRM process. Drawing on deep expertise in the Nextpoint platform and eDiscovery best practices, PM2s independently own complex, high-stakes projects, mentor junior PMs, and serve as an escalation point for technical and client-facing challenges. This role carries elevated accountability for client satisfaction, account growth, and team development.

PM2s independently source and manage projects through the internal support channel, existing client relationships, and strategic partnerships with Client Success and Sales. In addition to scoping all engagements with billable hours and delivery timelines, PM2s are expected to identify expansion opportunities, contribute to pricing strategy for complex engagements, and serve as a resource for junior PMs navigating scope definition.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Software Related Projects

• Consult on ESI protocols and stipulations by reviewing agreed-upon requirements with opposing counsel to confirm software capabilities or assist in generating Nextpoint export templates
• Generate EDA and search hit reports (direct hits, direct hits + family, unique hits) to support data culling and identification of relevant documents
• Design and lead review training and database organization sessions; develop reusable training materials and document platform best practices for team-wide adoption
• Create custom exports including productions, privilege logs, and load files based on protocol requirements
• Perform overlays to replace or supplement missing metadata from imports
• Translate foreign-language datasets and overlay translated text files into Nextpoint
• Execute post-import deduplication using aggressive settings based on MD5 hash and email message ID
• Organize near-duplicate non-native documents by similarity score to reduce review time and effort

Collaboration with Preferred Vendors

• Coordinate forensic collections and import data into Nextpoint (cell phones, email, hard drives, device images)
• Convert unsupported file types (RSMF, UFDR, etc.) for ingestion into Nextpoint
• Reprocess metadata not automatically ingested by Nextpoint (In-Reply-To, Accessed Date/Time, email threading, etc.)
• Oversee large-scale document review projects with onshore and offshore teams, including review workflow development, QC oversight, and daily client status updates

Data Handling

• Download ZIP files from Nextpoint when above 40GB for extraction and re-upload
• Strategize import workflows for complex datasets
• Import third-party or opposing counsel datasets
• Ship hard drives containing client data, ensuring full security protocol is followed before and after delivery

Cross-Functional Communication

• Consistently communicate client estimates, timelines, expectations, and project updates with Client Success to support strategic decision-making
• Partner with Engineering on backend and scripted projects, identify potential product bugs, and work through front-end limitations
• Coordinate ticket handoffs with Support once requests are scoped and ready
• Serve as a subject matter expert for Sales and presales engagements, advising on platform capabilities, custom workflow design, and competitive positioning
• Relay product issues, updates, and enhancement needs to the Product team as new features are rolled out

After-Hours Availability

• Provide after-hours support (5:30–8:00 PM) and weekend availability for urgent client needs, approximately eight weeks per year
• Support weekend document review and general projects initiated during regular business hours

Leadership & Mentorship

• Mentor and provide day-to-day guidance to Project Manager (Level 1) team members, including reviewing scopes, troubleshooting escalations, and supporting professional development
• Act as primary escalation point for complex or high-risk client situations, including data integrity issues, deadline conflicts, and production disputes
• Own onboarding and training for new PM team members, including platform walkthroughs, workflow documentation, and shadowing programs
• Develop and maintain internal process documentation, best-practice guides, and workflow templates to standardize PM team operations
• Participate in strategic vendor relationship management, including performance reviews, capability assessments, and onboarding of new preferred partners

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience

• 5+ years in eDiscovery project management or litigation support
• Proven track record managing complex, high-volume projects end-to-end
• Experience mentoring or training junior team members

Technical Skills

• Deep proficiency with the Nextpoint platform (or comparable eDiscovery software)
• Strong knowledge of ESI protocols, production specifications, and load file formats
• Familiarity with forensic collection workflows and vendor coordination

Client & Project Management

• Ability to independently scope, manage, and deliver billable client engagements
• Experience serving as an escalation point for urgent or high-stakes client situations
• Strong track record of building long-term client relationships

Communication & Leadership

• Excellent cross-functional communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences
• Experience contributing to internal documentation, training programs, or onboarding

BENEFITS & PERKS

• Competitive pay commensurate with experience
• Flexible hybrid schedule (2–3 days onsite)
• Comprehensive health coverage — medical (BCBS PPO and HDHP/HSA options), dental and vision (Guardian)
• Health, Dependent, and Transit FSA
• Generous PTO, paid holidays, flexible summer hours, quarterly mental health days, and floating holidays
• Annual professional development stipend
• Monthly flexible benefit stipend
• 401(k) with company match
• Free in-office lunch Tuesday–Thursday
• And more!

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Nextpoint is an equal opportunity employer. We actively work to build a diverse team and encourage candidates of all backgrounds — including people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals — to apply. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Pursuant to the Illinois Human Rights Act, applicants have the right to be free from discrimination resulting from the use of artificial intelligence in any employment decision.

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