Cybersecurity Project Manager

Location: 333 South Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60604 (Onsite)
Duration: 5 Months
Interview Process: Two Rounds (1-hour Screening + 1-hour Panel Interview)

Position Overview

Client is seeking an experienced Cybersecurity Project Manager to lead the successful execution of strategic cybersecurity initiatives across one or more core security domains, including:

• Privileged Access Management (PAM)
• Identity Governance & Administration (IGA)
• Identity Authentication & Authorization (IAA)
• Data Protection (DP)

This is a highly visible, mission-critical role responsible for managing complex cybersecurity programs, coordinating cross-functional teams, and ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Project & Program Leadership

• Lead global cross-functional teams consisting of technical and non-technical resources, including consultants.
• Drive the successful delivery of large-scale cybersecurity projects and strategic initiatives.
• Partner with business and technology stakeholders to define project goals, benefits, and measurable outcomes.
• Develop detailed project plans, schedules, resource allocations, and delivery timelines.
• Monitor project progress and ensure adherence to scope, budget, quality, and timelines.
• Manage project dependencies, risks, issues, and escalations throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure project deliverables comply with internal SDLC methodologies and governance standards.
• Maintain project documentation and artifact repositories.

Communication & Stakeholder Management

• Develop project charters and communication plans.
• Facilitate collaboration across business and technology teams.
• Provide regular project status updates to leadership and stakeholders.
• Drive executive-level discussions and resolve complex project challenges through effective communication and critical thinking.

Change & Risk Management

• Define, document, and manage project scope throughout the lifecycle.
• Execute project change control processes for scope, budget, and resource changes.
• Ensure compliance with organizational technology change management procedures.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks while proactively managing issues and dependencies.

Financial Management

• Manage project budgets ranging from $250K to $3M.
• Develop and maintain capital and operational expense budgets.
• Prepare monthly financial forecasts and reporting using Clarity PPM (or similar tools).
• Analyze budget variances and optimize project spending.
• Support annual budget planning activities.

Resource & Team Management

• Identify project staffing requirements and coordinate with leadership to secure resources.
• Manage project resources to maximize productivity and resolve resource conflicts.
• Provide performance feedback to leadership and functional managers.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing project environment.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of overall IT experience, preferably within the Financial Services industry.
• 5+ years of experience leading enterprise-level, high-visibility technology projects.
• Proven experience managing Cybersecurity initiatives involving:
  • Privileged Access Management (PAM)
  • Identity Governance & Administration (IGA)
  • Identity Authentication & Authorization (IAA)
  • Data Protection
  • Security Operations
  • Attack Surface Management
• Strong experience working in complex, matrixed organizations.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and priorities.
• Strong leadership skills with a proactive, delivery-focused mindset.
• Experience managing project budgets between $250K and $3M.

Required Technical Skills

• Project Management methodologies:
  • Agile / Scrum
  • Waterfall
• Demand and Capacity Management
• Microsoft Project
• Azure DevOps (ADO) Boards or equivalent
• Clarity PPM (or similar Project Portfolio Management tool)
• Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Microsoft Teams
• Power BI, Tableau, or similar reporting and analytics tools

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• MBA or other advanced degree is a plus.
• PMP Certification is strongly preferred but not required.

Must-Have Skills

• 10+ years of IT Project Management experience
• 5+ years leading enterprise Cybersecurity projects
• Financial Services industry experience
• Identity & Access Management (PAM, IGA, IAA)
• Data Protection and Security Operations
• Project Budget Management ($250K–$3M)
• Agile / Scrum & Waterfall methodologies
• MS Project, Azure DevOps (ADO), Clarity PPM
• Power BI / Tableau
• Excellent stakeholder management and executive communication
• Risk, Change, and Resource Management