Senior Project Manager; Vendor Engagement

Position: Senior Project Manager (Vendor Engagement)
Title:
Project Manager (vendor engagement)

Location:

Flexible, fully remote is OK (must be able to work EST). Also open to traveling a couple of times per year.
Duration: 18 months

Job Description:
" Is this supporting any specific project:
It is in support of our Automation for New Business and Endorsement work with Roots
" Any immediate disqualifiers:
Must be able to work US East Coast hours; must have experience working in an Agile software development environment.
" Is there a preference for industries the candidates have worked in:
Prior financial services/insurance would be nice but not required.
" Can you tell me what the person's day to day will be like: A lot of coordination among
*** teams and the Roots vendor partner to ensure alignment of roadmaps and current work. Removing roadblocks for multiple teams, assisting in report-outs, escalating blockers as needed.

Job Summary:
" We are seeking an experienced, self-directed IT Project Manager to oversee a critical vendor engagement for the Small Commercial Underwriting team.
" You will act as the central point of coordination between our external vendor partner, our internal development team, and multiple stakeholder teams across ***.
" This role requires someone who excels in a distributed, remote-first environment and can drive seamless communication and execution across geographically dispersed teams. You will ensure milestones are met, stakeholders remain aligned, and the overall engagement delivers value.

Key Responsibilities:
" Cross-Functional Coordination:
Serve as the primary liaison between the external vendor and all internal stakeholder teams. Facilitate regular meetings, establish clear communication channels, and foster a collaborative environment across distributed locations.
" Stakeholder Management:
Communicate project status, risks, and issues clearly to the IT Director and other stakeholders. Prepare and deliver regular progress reports with actionable insights.
" Vendor Management:
Partner with the vendor to ensure their deliverables are on schedule and meet ***'s quality, security, and technical standards. Help navigate internal processes and resolve roadblocks.
" Risk & Issue Management:
Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate project risks and issues. Escalate critical issues to leadership when necessary.
" Documentation & Knowledge Management:
Ensure all project-related documentation is up-to-date, organized, and shared with relevant parties. Maintain clarity on decisions and outcomes.

Required Qualifications & Skills:
" Demonstrated experience managing complex projects in IT environments, particularly with vendor or third-party integrations.
" Proven ability to lead and coordinate cross-functional teams, driving collaboration and consensus across distributed teams.
" Strong understanding of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) and Agile methodologies.
" Knowledge of cybersecurity best practices and their application in integration and project execution.
" Proficiency with JIRA and the Microsoft Office suite.
" Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills especially in remote-first environments.
" Identify and fill gaps across teams, disciplines, and work streams to support continuous program delivery.
" Ability to work independently while remaining collaborative and responsive to stakeholder needs.

Preferred Qualifications:
" PMP (Project Management Professional) or similar project management certification.
" Familiarity with AI concepts and their application in software development or business processes.
" Experience in the insurance industry, particularly in underwriting.