IT Project Manager

The IT Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, monitoring, and closing IT infrastructure and business critical systems implementation projects. This role combines project management expertise with technical IT knowledge to successfully deliver enterprise technology initiatives on time, within scope, and within budget. The ideal candidate will employ structured project management methodologies while understanding the technical complexities of IT systems to effectively coordinate resources, manage stakeholders, and mitigate risks.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning & Initiation

Develop comprehensive project plans including scope definition, work breakdown structures, resource allocation, and realistic timelines for IT system implementations

Create detailed project charters outlining objectives, success criteria, constraints, and stakeholder responsibilities

Develop project budgets with accurate cost estimations for hardware, software, licensing, and professional services

Identify project dependencies and critical paths for complex IT infrastructure deployments with identified mitigation strategies

Establish communication plans tailored to technical and non-technical stakeholder groups

Develop procurement plans for hardware, software, and vendor services aligned with organizational policies

Project Execution & Control

Lead cross-functional IT teams through structured project delivery

Implement tracking to monitor project performance against baselines

Conduct regular status meetings with appropriate detail levels for different stakeholder groups

Manage project scope through formal change control processes with impact assessments

Track project milestones and deliverables using project management tools ( MS Project, Smartsheet, Jira, etc.)

Coordinate vendor activities and third-party resources throughout implementation phases

Manage project budget including tracking expenses, forecasting costs, and analyzing variances

Implement quality control measures for IT deliverables including user acceptance testing protocols

Document project decisions, action items, risks, and issues with appropriate resolution tracking

Develop and manage detailed project schedules with resource leveling and dependency management

IT System Implementation Coordination

Coordinate server infrastructure deployments including hardware installation, OS configuration, and virtualization setup

Manage implementation projects including WAN/LAN upgrades, security systems, and wireless infrastructure

Oversee enterprise application rollouts including collaboration platforms

Coordinate data center migration projects with minimal disruption to business operations

Manage disaster recovery implementation projects including backup systems and business continuity planning

Coordinate security system implementations including identity management, access control, and endpoint protection

Manage desktop infrastructure projects including hardware refreshes, OS migrations, and application packaging

Stakeholder Management & Communication

Develop and deliver executive presentations on project status, milestones, and business impacts

Translate technical IT concepts into business terminology for non-technical stakeholders

Conduct regular steering committee meetings with appropriate level of detail and decision focus

Manage stakeholder expectations through transparent communication about project constraints and challenges

Develop reporting dashboards tailored to different stakeholder information needs

Facilitate requirements gathering workshops with business and technical stakeholder groups

Coordinate user training and organizational change management activities for new IT systems

Manage vendor relationships including performance monitoring against contracted deliverables

Lead project post-implementation reviews to capture lessons learned and benefits realization

Develop business case justifications for IT investments with ROI and TCO analyses

Project Team Leadership

Lead projects for cross-functional teams of IT specialists and vendor resources

Define clear roles and responsibilities for project team members with RACI matrices

Conduct effective team meetings with clear agendas, action items, and decision documentation

Provide performance feedback to team members and functional managers

Identify and address team dynamics issues that may impact project delivery

Manage resource conflicts and competing priorities across multiple initiatives

Mentor junior project managers and team leads on project management methodologies

Budget management and cost control capabilities

Stakeholder management and communication skills

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in Information Technology preferred or related experience

3+ years of experience managing IT infrastructure and system implementation projects

3+ years of experience leading cross-functional technical teams

Demonstrated experience delivering complex IT projects on time and within budget

Strong understanding of IT service management principles and practices

Experience with project management tools and software ( MS Project, Jira, Smartsheet, etc.)

Technical Knowledge

Fundamental understanding of IT infrastructure components including servers, storage, and networking

Working knowledge of enterprise applications and their implementation challenges

Familiarity with cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and migration strategies

Understanding of IT security principles and compliance requirements

Familiarity with IT procurement processes and vendor management

Understanding of business continuity and disaster recovery principles

Knowledge of change management and organizational readiness approaches for IT implementations

Leadership & Soft Skills

Exceptional communication skills with ability to adapt to different audience needs

Strong leadership capabilities with experience leading diverse teams

Excellent facilitation skills for effective meetings and workshops

Strategic thinking with ability to connect project objectives to business outcomes

Strong analytical skills for complex problem-solving and decision-making

Ability to work effectively under pressure and adapt to changing priorities

Strong interpersonal skills for building relationships with stakeholders at all levels

Detail-oriented with excellent organizational capabilities

Proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues