Ardent Creative is looking for an experienced junior development project manager to oversee and manage key client projects. Responsibilities include the coordination and completion of projects on time, within budget, and within scope. The ideal candidate will be able to estimate and create a project plan with clear milestones, set deadlines, discuss responsibilities with each department, monitor and summarize the progress of the project, communicate progress with clients, vendors, and upper management at intervals. They will bridge the gap between the business stakeholders and the Ardent team to ensure the success of each project.

Plan:

• Develop comprehensive project plans to be shared with clients as well as other staff members
• Assist in the definition of project scope and objectives, involving all relevant stakeholders and ensuring technical feasibility
• Contribute to writing and reviewing Statements of Work, Estimates and Change Orders
• Develop a detailed project plan to monitor and track progress
• Perform risk management to minimize project risks
• Establish and maintain relationships with third parties/vendors
• Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation
• Delegate project tasks based on junior staff members’ individual strengths, skill sets and experience levels

Coordinate:

• Manage the relationship with the client and all stakeholders
• Coordinate internal resources and third parties/vendors for the flawless execution of projects
• Meet with clients to take detailed ordering briefs and clarify specific requirements of each project
• Work with the Sales Team to help with the account strategy
• Document all key decisions, scope changes, personnel updates, risks, issues and mitigation procedures
• Delegate projects with offshore and local third parties/vendors to meet deadlines

Budget:

• Ensure resource availability and allocation
• Meet budgetary objectives and make adjustments to project constraints based on financial analysis
• Maintain accurate resource assignments, status, and updates in our project management systems

Monitor:

• Frequently evaluate project velocity, project risk, quality, and expectations and coordinate course corrections to ensure client satisfaction
• Ensure that all projects are delivered on-time, within scope and within budget
• Manage changes to the project scope, project schedule and project costs using appropriate verification techniques
• Measure project performance using appropriate tools and techniques
• Track project performance, specifically to analyze the successful completion of short and long-term goals
• Proactively identify, prioritize and drive resolution of project issues and risks
• Identify areas where the product can be improved

Report:

• Document needs/requirements through our project management systems
• Report and escalate to management as needed
• Review project reports and suggest improvements in team processes to develop better communication and efficiency

Qualifications and Requirements of the ideal candidate:

• Consulting services experience
• 2+ years of experience managing software development projects
• A passion for delivering projects as agreed upon with the clients
• Experience managing resources in a consulting environment
• Motivator to others
• Must be an “A+” communicator both written and verbal
• Must be a great listener
• Strong at processing input from all stakeholders and converting into action items
• Minimum of bachelor’s degree or higher is required
• Software product management experience would be a huge plus but is not required
• Experience using Agile methodology for delivering custom software applications is a plus
• Self-motivated, proactive, and able to work under minimal supervision
• Experience using Accelo is a strong plus but not required
• Strong knowledge and understanding of business needs with the ability to establish/maintain a high level of customer trust and confidence
• Must have a passion for technology in general and eager to learn how new emerging technologies can impact businesses and consumers