The IT Project Manager (PM) leads cross-functional teams to deliver high-value, business-critical technology solutions throughout the firm. PMs are responsible for partnering with key sponsors to identify and prioritize project opportunities and collaborating with project team members to effectively manage tasks & activities. PMs leverage strong communication and organizational skills to build trust and credibility with stakeholders and are accountable for the overall health & success of projects & client relationships.

Are you looking for a Project Manager role that breaks the mold of traditional corporate IT environments?

Join an IT team that values flexibility—in both your schedule and your approach to work. We deliver iteratively, focus on outcomes over process, and minimize the layers of traditional PM governance.

In this role, you’ll collaborate closely with teammates, IT leadership, and business partners. You’ll help guide strategy, support your team through challenges, and contribute where it matters most. You’ll work with a talented, fast-moving group of developers, BA / QA analysts, and a delivery manager—all committed to delivering high-quality work efficiently.

If you’re excited by the idea of making a meaningful difference in a dynamic, high-performing team—this could be the perfect role for you.

This is a hybrid opportunity working at our headquarters in Milwaukee, WI 2-3 days per week. The IT PM will support Marketing & Communications and Risk Management. We are looking for experience as a PM in an IT organization within Agile delivery method.

As an IT Project Manager, you will:

Planning and Organizing

• Organize the initiation and upfront planning of projects. Projects tend to be of varying sizes from small feature enhancements to large projects that may include high degrees of complexity and ambiguity. Projects can also include multiple vendor integrations.
• Build a foundation of trust, collaboration, and respect with cross-functional team members, project teams and portfolio stakeholders.
• Partner with product owner(s) on backlog and portfolio roadmap management activities that skillfully balance strategic portfolio initiatives with lifecycle and support.

Delivering Outcomes

• Effectively manage project execution by leveraging a variety of tools, techniques, methodologies, and deliverables.
• Identify project risks & issues and adjust the plan and/or execution approach accordingly.
• Lead, inspire, and assist the team in achieving project objectives to ensure client satisfaction.
• Leverage cross-section of skills that may cross traditional Business Analysis and Project Management roles to assist in managing volume and complexity of business needs.

Communication

• Establish and understand the importance of strong, trusting relationships across Baird, including with direct stakeholders on the project and leadership sponsors.
• Deliver clear, timely updates to key internal and external project stakeholders through various communication channels.
• Effectively facilitate project meetings sharing concise goals/agendas, clear outcomes, audience-appropriate messaging, key takeaways, etc.

Navigating Complexity

• Develop an understanding of how to navigate organizational hierarchy & dynamics to escalate project issues quickly and efficiently, facilitate effective decision-making, and drive the work forward.
• Lead the project team through challenges, help remove roadblocks & impediments, and motivate team members to push past obstacles to meet client expectations and deadlines.
• Demonstrate organizational savvy by connecting dots across the firm to help achieve outcomes.

Team Leadership

• Earn the respect & trust of peers to effectively lead the project team.
• Influence outcomes without positional authority and, when appropriate, engage leader(s) to help support team needs.
• Serve as a mentor & coach to immediate peers and provide direct feedback to encourage growth.
• Seek out continuous improvement opportunities and help implement them within the project team, including retrospectives and other agile rituals.
• Seek out opportunities to encourage the team to maintain healthy agile practices.

Professional Knowledge and Skills

• Actively participate in the Project Manager Community of Practice (PMCoP) and develop a reputation as a subject matter expert.
• As project & team needs demand, develop working knowledge of each of the Operations Teams and project technologies to help build credibility with team members and stakeholders.
• Seek out internal & external professional development programs, share knowledge with peers and effectively apply it on projects.

What makes this opportunity great:

• Information technology is a core part of Baird’s business strategy and plays a critical role in the growth and transformation of the firm
• Ability to work with a variety of teams and leaders, proving your ability to be flexible and high adaptable
• Team of associates passionate about achieving great results for clients and give back to the communities where we live and work

What we look for:

• IT experience, including at least five years related PM experience is preferred
• Detail oriented and possesses exceptional organizational, time management, problem-solving and business analysis skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, ability to influence without authority.

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Commitment to Inclusion & Diversity

Baird is committed to inclusion & diversity for our clients, our associates and the communities where we live and work. This commitment stems from our culture of integrity, genuine concern for others and respect for the individual. We view inclusion & diversity as an ongoing journey – one of shared responsibility, continuous improvement and a focus on progress. We invite you to join us as we work together to foster an environment where diversity unites rather than divides us. Learn more here.