Technical Project Manager - 1560

J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information firm that conducts independent and unbiased surveys of customer satisfaction, product quality and buyer behavior. Today, the firm's services include industry-wide syndicated studies; proprietary (commissioned) tracking studies; media studies; forecasting; and training services, as well as business operations analyses, and consultancies on customer satisfaction trends.

 

We are currently seeking a Technical Project Manager in either our Westlake Village, CA or our Troy, MI location. This key position will be responsible for managing the day-to-day technical and operational projects for ‘Propriety Solutions’ offered to our clients.  Candidates will need significant experience in the project management of analytical applications, data services and supporting infrastructure that are packaged for commercial use. Exposure to Application Service Providing [ASP] businesses is beneficial. 

 

Under the guidance of the Senior Manager for Proprietary Applications and among a team of technologists, the Technical Project Manager will plan and direct program schedules and monitor project status in comparison to cost/time projections. The Project Manager will provide consistent and comprehensive status reports, project updates, ongoing cost analyses, issue management, and communication with business lines and technology management.  As a team member, he/she will help identify tools, processes and methodologies that will assist the company with effective project implementation and execution.



 

Key Goals of this Position:Initially project manage ‘Proprietary Solutions’, such as Total Loss Valuation. Accountable for the day-to-day project execution and its successful delivery on time, within budget, and with high quality.  Coordinate deliverables with PIN Client Solutions & Product Management as needed.Coordinate involvement of groups and/or technologists assigned to project deliverables and manage the dependencies required to complete projects.Provide tracking and management of milestones, budget, capacity planning, resource assignments, and issues/risks.  Maintain metrics to track project progress.  Create and maintain associated plans, development schedule, project control books, and other project related materials using the appropriate tools.Provide consistent ‘point of contact’ for communication of project status and schedule to team members and executives.  Identify and report on the impact of changes to the budget and/or schedule.  Coordinate and facilitate status meetings; appropriately document agendas and notes.  Proactively identify and escalate risks/issues while driving toward proper resolution.Ensure all product documents (design, process diagrams, operational run-books, recovery manuals, etc) are completed.  Conduct reviews and walk-throughs for deliverables.Enforce Change Management process standards and procedures



Education/Experience Required:

 

REQUIREMENTSBA or BS (or equivalent) in Computer Science.5 or more years of experience delivering and supporting commercially available technology solutions.  Strong technical aptitude is required.  Proven project management experience and demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects of a complex nature while staffed with cross-functional teams of local and remote personnel, or external partners.5 or more years of industry experience using Software Development Lifecycles (SDLC), ISO 9001 practices and the Capability Maturity Model (SEI/CMM).  Demonstrated ability to technically improve existing products and services or develop new.Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.  Experience communicating with internal personnel and customers.  Strong negotiation skills. Excellent time management skills. Strong problem solving skills and an ability to learn rapidly on-the-job.  Must analyze complex problems and develop recommendations.Effective in self motivated and directed team environments.Proficiency with MS Office Suite, MS Project, Visio.  Familiarity with industry standard project management software packages.

 

DESIREDPMP/PMI certification.Experience with OLAP, Data Mining and supporting technologies, such as SQL Server Analysis and Metadata Services, Microstrategy, Business Objects.Experience commercially applying Oracle products and data processing tools, such as Informatica.  Possesses strong experience with data conversions, EDI, and data interfacing.Knowledge of Service Oriented Architecture frameworks, components, design and planning skills.