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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for HR Project Manager

💰 $105,000 - $145,000

Human ResourcesProject ManagementHR Operations

🎯 Role Definition

As our HR Project Manager, you will be the central force driving critical Human Resources projects that shape our employee experience and operational efficiency. You will orchestrate cross-functional teams, manage complex timelines, and communicate with stakeholders at all levels to deliver impactful results. This role requires a blend of traditional project management discipline, deep HR functional knowledge, and a passion for change management. You will be instrumental in leading initiatives across the HR spectrum, including HRIS implementations, talent management program rollouts, compensation and benefits redesign, and organizational development projects.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior HR Generalist / HR Business Partner
  • Project Coordinator / Junior Project Manager
  • HRIS Analyst

Advancement To:

  • Senior HR Project Manager / HR Program Manager
  • Director of HR Operations
  • Head of HR Transformation

Lateral Moves:

  • Change Management Lead
  • Senior HRIS Manager
  • Senior Consultant, People & Change

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Manage the full lifecycle of complex, cross-functional HR projects from initial conception and planning through to execution, monitoring, and successful closure.
  • Develop comprehensive and detailed project plans, including scope definition, timelines, resource allocation, risk mitigation strategies, and budget management.
  • Lead and coordinate project teams, which may include HR Business Partners, IT specialists, finance analysts, and external vendors, to ensure flawless project execution.
  • Act as the primary point of contact for all project-related communications, delivering clear and timely updates on status, milestones, risks, and dependencies to stakeholders and executive leadership.
  • Drive the planning and execution of large-scale HRIS/HCM implementation projects (e.g., Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, Oracle HCM), including requirements gathering, configuration, testing, and deployment.
  • Oversee strategic projects within core HR domains such as performance management, talent acquisition, employee engagement, total rewards, and learning & development.
  • Develop and implement robust change management strategies, including communication plans and training programs, to ensure high user adoption and a smooth transition for impacted employees.
  • Proactively identify, track, and resolve project-related issues and risks, escalating to senior leadership when necessary to ensure project objectives are met.
  • Manage project budgets meticulously, tracking actual spend against forecasts, processing vendor invoices, and reporting on financial performance.
  • Define and measure project success using appropriate KPIs and metrics, conducting post-project evaluations to identify lessons learned and drive continuous improvement.
  • Facilitate workshops and meetings with key stakeholders to gather business requirements and translate them into actionable project deliverables and technical specifications.
  • Ensure all project documentation (e.g., project charters, status reports, risk logs, decision registers, post-mortems) is created, maintained, and properly archived.
  • Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with third-party vendors and consultants, managing contracts and ensuring their performance meets expectations.
  • Champion project management best practices and methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid) within the HR function, mentoring others and improving our overall project delivery capability.

Secondary Functions

  • Support the HR leadership team in developing the annual HR strategic roadmap by providing insights on project feasibility, resource needs, and potential timelines.
  • Lead process mapping and re-engineering initiatives to identify inefficiencies and recommend improvements to existing HR workflows and systems.
  • Conduct thorough data analysis and create insightful reports to inform decision-making and demonstrate the ROI of HR projects.
  • Manage the RFP, selection, and onboarding process for new HR technology vendors and service providers.
  • Develop and deliver training sessions to HR team members and end-users on new systems, processes, or project management tools.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert on HR project management, providing guidance and support to other team members leading smaller initiatives.
  • Participate in sprint planning, retrospectives, and other agile ceremonies for technology-focused HR projects.
  • Assist in governance activities by preparing materials and presenting project updates to steering committees and executive review boards.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Advanced Project Management: Mastery of project management methodologies such as Agile, Scrum, and Waterfall, with a proven ability to apply the right approach to the right project.
  • Project Management Software: High proficiency in tools like Jira, Asana, Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or similar project management software.
  • HRIS/HCM Systems: In-depth knowledge of and hands-on experience with major HRIS platforms (e.g., Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, Oracle Cloud HCM).
  • Change Management: Formal training or certification in change management methodologies (e.g., Prosci ADKAR) and experience applying them in a corporate environment.
  • Budget & Financial Management: Skill in developing and managing project budgets, forecasting costs, and performing financial analysis.
  • Process Improvement: Experience with process mapping and optimization techniques like Six Sigma or Lean to enhance operational efficiency.
  • Data Analysis & Reporting: Ability to analyze complex data sets, identify trends, and present findings clearly to support business cases and measure project success.

Soft Skills

  • Stakeholder Management: Exceptional ability to identify, engage, and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization, from front-line employees to C-suite executives.
  • Exceptional Communication: Superior verbal, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to distill complex information into clear, concise messages for diverse audiences.
  • Leadership & Influence: Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams without direct authority, fostering a collaborative and high-performance project environment.
  • Strategic & Critical Thinking: Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to anticipate challenges, think critically, and make decisive, data-driven recommendations.
  • Adaptability & Resilience: Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and can effectively manage ambiguity and shifting priorities.
  • Negotiation & Conflict Resolution: Adept at navigating disagreements and negotiating solutions that benefit all parties and advance project goals.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

  • Master’s Degree (MBA, MHRM) and/or a Project Management Professional (PMP) or Agile (CSM) certification.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Human Resources Management
  • Business Administration
  • Information Systems
  • Project Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 5-8 years of dedicated project management experience, with at least 3-4 years focused specifically on managing Human Resources projects.

Preferred:

  • Experience leading at least one full-cycle, large-scale HRIS/HCM implementation.
  • Prior experience working within a global or matrixed organization.
  • Background in management consulting with a focus on HR transformation is highly desirable.
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