Senior Project Manager – SAP Implementation

Chicago, IL

Job Title: Senior Project Manager – SAP Implementation
Location: Preference given to candidates in Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, or Virginia
Remote: Open to remote with travel, but schedule could be alternating 4 days onsite, 6 days remote.
Period: 02/03/2025 – 08/31/2025 (strong likelihood of extension through September 2025)
Hours/Week: 40 hours
Rate: $100 – $110/hour
Contract Type: W-2 only, no visa sponsorships or subcontracting


Scope of Services:

The Senior Project Manager will be responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of the SAP implementation within the Work and Asset Management program for a utilities client. This role requires a strategic and hands-on approach to project management, ensuring that all project phases from planning through execution are completed on time, within scope, and within budget. The Senior Project Manager will collaborate with cross-functional teams, manage risks and issues, facilitate stakeholder engagement, and ensure smooth integration of SAP systems into the existing infrastructure.


Role, Responsibilities & Deliverables:

1. Project Planning and Execution

  • Lead the development of the project plan, including detailed timelines, deliverables, resources, and milestones for the SAP implementation.
  • Oversee and manage the execution of all project phases, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget.

2. Stakeholder Management and Communication

  • Coordinate and engage with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment of goals, expectations, and project deliverables.
  • Provide regular updates on project progress, issues, and risks to senior leadership and key stakeholders.

3. Risk and Issue Management

  • Identify potential risks and issues early in the project lifecycle, developing mitigation strategies and ensuring effective resolution.
  • Maintain a risk register and track the status of project risks, adjusting the plan as needed.

4. Resource Management

  • Allocate and manage resources, ensuring the project has the necessary support at each stage.
  • Monitor the performance of internal and external teams, ensuring adherence to project timelines and quality standards.

5. Budget and Cost Control

  • Manage project budgets, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and adherence to financial constraints.
  • Track project expenses and manage costs effectively to avoid budget overruns.

6. Quality Assurance

  • Ensure the highest quality standards are adhered to across all project deliverables.
  • Coordinate with quality assurance teams to monitor and validate that the system implementation meets the expected criteria.

7. Project Reporting and Documentation

  • Develop and maintain comprehensive project documentation, including progress reports, status updates, and lessons learned.
  • Ensure that all project documentation is up to date and accessible to all stakeholders.

8. Change Management Support

  • Collaborate with the Change Management team to ensure that the project supports effective user adoption and minimizes resistance to new systems and processes.


Required Experience:

  • Minimum of 7-10 years in project management, particularly for SAP or other enterprise software implementations.
  • Proven experience in managing large-scale ERP system implementations, with a focus on SAP.
  • Experience managing complex projects in a Work and Asset Management program or similar industry, ideally in utilities.
  • Strong background in managing cross-functional teams, vendor relationships, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Experience in utilities, specifically electric energy, is a plus.


Key Skills:

  • Project Management Expertise: Deep understanding of project management methodologies, including Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid approaches.
  • Stakeholder Management: Ability to engage and manage relationships with stakeholders at all levels, from executive leadership to project teams.
  • Risk and Issue Management: Strong ability to identify, assess, and mitigate project risks and issues.
  • Budget Management: Experience with budget planning, tracking, and financial oversight for large-scale projects.
  • Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to convey complex information to diverse audiences.
  • Leadership: Ability to lead and motivate cross-functional teams to achieve project success.
  • Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills, with the ability to identify problems, develop solutions, and drive execution.
  • Experience with ServiceNow, Salesforce, and/or Lemur: Experience with these platforms is a plus.


Education & Certifications:

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
  • Certifications: SAP Certification (preferred).
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) or Agile Certification is a plus.