Project Manager - Human Resources

This role partners with HR Centers of Excellence, HR Business Partners, Shared Services, Payroll, HRIS, IT, Finance, Legal, external vendors, and business leaders to successfully deliver strategic programs from concept through implementation and stabilization. The position is responsible for establishing project governance, managing scope, risks, timelines, budgets, resource plans, stakeholder communications, and organizational change activities while ensuring alignment with business priorities and HR strategy.

Job Title: Project Manager - Human Resources
Location: Painted Post , NY - Onsite
Duration: 12 Months

Job Description:

Project Manager - Human Resources leads complex, cross-functional HR initiatives that support the organization's people strategy, operating model evolution, process transformation, technology enablement, and employee experience objectives. This role partners with HR Centers of Excellence, HR Business Partners, Shared Services, Payroll, HRIS, IT, Finance, Legal, external vendors, and business leaders to successfully deliver strategic programs from concept through implementation and stabilization.

The position is responsible for establishing project governance, managing scope, risks, timelines, budgets, resource plans, stakeholder communications, and organizational change activities while ensuring alignment with business priorities and HR strategy. The Project Manager serves as a trusted advisor to HR leadership and helps build organizational capability in project and portfolio management practices.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Program Leadership

• Lead enterprise-wide HR initiatives, transformation programs, and strategic projects from initiation through closure.
• Develop project charters, business cases, scope definitions, implementation strategies, and success metrics.
• Partner with senior leaders to define objectives, priorities, decision points, and governance structures.
• Translate strategic goals into actionable project plans and delivery roadmaps.

Project & Portfolio Management

• Establish and maintain detailed project plans, milestone schedules, resource forecasts, and dependency maps leveraging SmartSheet and/or Planview where applicable.
• Monitor project health, budget utilization, scope, risks, issues, and overall delivery performance.
• Facilitate governance forums, steering committees, decision-making sessions, and executive reviews.
• Provide portfolio-level reporting and visibility into project status, resource demand, and organizational risks utilizing SmartSheet and/or Planview.
• Ensure project management methodologies, standards, and tools are consistently applied.

HR Transformation & Process Improvement

• Support initiatives involving compensation, benefits, payroll, HR technology, employee experience, talent processes, organizational design, and shared services.
• Identify opportunities to improve HR processes, reduce complexity, and increase operational effectiveness.
• Facilitate process mapping, requirements gathering, gap analysis, and solution design sessions.
• Apply continuous improvement principles to optimize HR service delivery and employee outcomes.

Stakeholder Management

• Build strong partnerships across HR functions, business organizations, and external vendors.
• Influence stakeholders without direct authority while driving alignment on priorities and delivery plans.
• Manage competing priorities and resolve issues through effective negotiation and collaboration.
• Serve as the primary point of coordination across multiple workstreams and stakeholder groups.

Change Management & Communications

• Develop and execute communication strategies supporting project adoption and business readiness.
• Assess organizational impacts and facilitate change readiness activities.
• Coordinate leadership communications, stakeholder updates, training plans, and deployment readiness reviews.
• Support successful transition from project implementation to ongoing operational ownership.

Data, Technology & Vendor Coordination

• Partner with HRIS, Payroll, IT, Data Management, and external solution providers on system implementations and enhancements.
• Coordinate data mapping, testing, integrations, vendor deliverables, and deployment activities.
• Ensure project decisions are informed by accurate data analysis and operational requirements.
• Monitor implementation readiness and support issue resolution across multiple systems and teams.

Risk & Governance Management

• Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks, issues, assumptions, and dependencies.
• Escalate critical concerns and provide recommendations for resolution.
• Ensure program activities meet governance, compliance, audit, and documentation requirements.
• Maintain accurate project records, status reporting, and executive communications.

Required Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, Project Management, Finance, Information Systems, or related field.

Master's degree preferred.

Experience

• 7 years of progressive project management experience.
• 5 years leading complex HR, HRIS, payroll, benefits, compensation, employee experience, shared services, or organizational transformation initiatives.
• Experience managing large, cross-functional programs with multiple stakeholders and workstreams.
• Demonstrated success leading initiatives involving technology, process, and organizational change.

Technical Knowledge

• Project management methodologies and governance practices.
• Human Resources processes and operating models.
• Change management principles.
• Risk management and issue resolution.
• Budget and resource management.
• Reporting, analytics, and executive communications.
• Microsoft Office, Smartsheet / Planview, AI tools and collaboration tools.

Critical Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Executive Presence
• Stakeholder Influence
• Program Leadership
• Change Leadership
• Organizational Agility
• Problem Solving
• Business Acumen
• Relationship Building
• Communication Skills
• Continuous Improvement Mindset
• Vendor Management
• Decision Facilitation
• Portfolio Management

Success Measures

• Strategic initiatives delivered on schedule and within approved scope.
• Effective risk management and governance compliance.
• Positive stakeholder and leadership feedback.
• Successful adoption of new processes, technology, or operating models.
• Improved visibility of project status, risks, and resource utilization.
• Sustainable transition of projects into ongoing operations.
• Increased organizational capability in project and portfolio management.

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Why TalentBurst?
At TalentBurst, we deliver more than talent, we deliver outcomes. We partner with you to move quickly and connect you to opportunities aligned with your skills and long term growth.

Backed by precision, transparency, and results, we connect top talent with leading organizations through trusted partnerships.

We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and retirement options.

TalentBurst is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce.