Strategic Project Manager

We are seeking a high-impact contractor to support the Dicks Sporting Goods and Foot Locker Account teams in a critical, multi-year effort to define and operationalize Client’s future partnership model across key retail banners. We have written the strategy and are pivoting to drive execution of concurrent initiatives across product & marketing, across our sport categories.

This role will operate at the intersection of strategy, project management, and cross-functional leadership, driving clarity, alignment, and execution across a complex stakeholder landscape. We are looking for someone that has a strong project management foundation, builds trust quickly, and secures buy-in across multiple teams and levels of the organization.

• Own day-to-day project orchestration, including project onboarding, initiative timelines, milestones, and deliverables.
• Build and maintain integrated workbacks across cross-functional teams.
• Track progress, identify risks, and manage dependencies at the program level, while working cross-functionally to get updates from initiative owners.
• Prepare materials for weekly connects and milestone reviews.

• Partner with leadership and cross-functional teams to ensure seamless execution of complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Drive alignment across teams to ensure coordinated effort toward shared goals.
• Facilitate regular and ad hoc working team & leadership meetings, synthesizing discussions into clear action items, ownership, and timelines.
• Serve as a connector across sales, business integration, product, and marketing teams.

• Communicate program strategy, progress, and impact to stakeholders at all levels—from executives to working team members.
• Provide regular updates, solicit feedback, and proactively address blockers to maintain momentum.
• Translate strategic objectives into clear, actionable plans that align teams and drive accountability.
• Support engagement with senior internal leaders and external partners.
• Develop executive-ready communications (presentations, one-pagers, summaries, project trackers, risk logs).
• Synthesize inputs into clear narratives and recommendations.

• Translate ambiguity into structured frameworks.
• Support development of long-term partnership strategies.
• Contribute to strategic frameworks and executive readouts.
• Make informed decisions and drive progress even with incomplete information.

• Strategic mindset with strong business acumen.
• High attention to detail and ability to synthesize information.

• 5–10 years of experience in program management, consulting, strategy, or business operations at a major consulting firm or Fortune 500 organization, working in highly matrixed, cross-functional environments.
• Expertise in program and change management methodologies for large-scale initiatives.
• Experience with industry-standard project management tools to drive efficiency and transparency.
• Thrives in fast-paced, evolving environments and is comfortable pivoting strategies while maintaining forward momentum.
• Relentlessly drives programs forward, iterating quickly based on feedback and results.
• Embraces uncertainty and change as opportunities for improvement.
• Pushes teams toward clarity and execution, even in ambiguous situations.
• Exceptional listener who synthesizes complex discussions into clear, actionable insights.
• Translates technical concepts and strategic priorities into concise written communication tailored to diverse audiences—from engineering and data science to executive leadership.
• Adapts communication style to resonate with different functions and stakeholder groups.
• Air Table experience preferred, but not required.
• PMP certification preferred, but not required.