Project Manager, Transformation (Remote)

General Summary:

Manage & deliver cross-functional projects, manage change and achieve business strategies and results. The role works collaboratively with the Sr. Program Manager and other initiative leads across Designer Brands to plan, execute, and track progress on multiple strategic projects.

Reports to:  Sr. Program Manager

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan, drive, and track delivery of projects and initiatives supporting DBI’s strategic pillars with a focus on delivering business value
• Create project management artifacts: scope, project plan, budget, risk/issue logs, status reports, etc.
• Oversee project execution, track status and KPI’s, resolve and/or escalate issues, manage project team
• Identify, analyze and manage stakeholders throughout the project and facilitate change adoption
• Ensure project team understands the business value and connection to DBI’s transformation
• Coordinate and connect the dots across multiple initiatives, stakeholders, and business areas
• Communicate across all stakeholders and leaders to gain alignment and understanding, to drive progress and decisions, and to ensure active engagement throughout the transformation
• Identify and proactively drive resolution to roadblocks, risks, and issues related to people, process, and technology across all projects.
• Apply project management and DBI governance and processes

Required Skills:

• Thorough knowledge and experience with project management processes and tools:
• PMBOK, PM Methodologies (waterfall & Agile), best practices, PMP certification
• Tools: MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Teams, SharePoint
• Expert-level understanding of project delivery methodologies & processes
• Ability to translate project goals into detailed, actionable plans (scope, schedule, cost, team)
• Ability to gain alignment, approval, buy-in for transformation initiatives and project plans
• Ability to drive project execution to plan & continually evaluate project health / status
• Must be able to manage project risks & issues and drive response planning, execution, escalation
• Must be able to keep stakeholders informed, aligned, engaged
• Must be able to lead & motivate project team, manage conflict, ensure success
• Ability to collect, analyze and interpret data and to drive fact-based decisions
• Ability to effectively solve problems, escalate and drive accountability
• Ability to identify and manage dependencies within & across projects
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple projects / assignments simultaneously
• Expert-level communicator & presenter, able to “tell the story” at all levels of the organization
• Exceptional stakeholder identification/management, influence and change leadership abilities
• Able to drive tempo with self with a strong bias for action
• Able to be the voice of reason and give project team direction in stressful moments
• Ability to understand and manage project financials
• Unwavering personal accountability for the success of the project

Experience:

• 3+ years of project coordination, management, leadership experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification strongly preferred
• Management of individual contributors and/or teams preferred
• Retail industry experience
• Change management experience

Education:

• Bachelor's degree; MBA or advanced degree preferred

Competencies

Strategic Thinking – Creates and effectively communicates long term vision. Keeps team’s work aligned to strategy. Creates and adjusts plans. Understands big picture to constructively challenge the status quo. Generates new ideas. Encourages innovation. Manages change effectively. Knows internal strengths and weaknesses.

Leading & Motivating – Models and supports DSW values. Assesses, identifies, retains and develops talent. Builds complementary teams. Motivates, supports and challenges associates. Resolves conflict. Makes tough decisions. Provides timely feedback. Works with and through others to exceed expectations of customers (internal/external)

Managing for Results – Produces sustainable results consistently. Holds team accountable. Recognizes and resolves complex problems. Understands underlying issues and addresses root causes. Measures, analyzes quantitative information and presents it effectively. Seeks input from others. Makes timely decisions.