Vice President, Project Management

Being a Country Bank team member has a lot of perks Our competitive total compensation package and comprehensive benefit package include:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) Plan with a generous employer contribution plus match;
• Income protection benefits;
• Educational assistance and tuition reimbursement benefits;
• Remote work and flexible scheduling options;
• Generous total paid time off, and more

Country Bank is a growing mutual community bank with locations in Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester counties. We are Made to Make a Difference in the lives of our customers, our communities, and for our team members every day since 1850. It is our people that drive our success and create our inclusive and engaging culture. We're excited to meet you to discuss our career opportunities and how you can make a difference as a part of our growing Marketing team

About the Job:

The Vice President of Project Management will work under the direction of the Chief Operating & Innovation Officer. This role leads and ensures the success of multidisciplinary projects across the Bank by fostering collaboration and effective communication with cross-functional teams. This position is responsible for managing all aspects of assigned projects, including discovery, planning, budgeting, defining scope and requirements, and overseeing due diligence, and may work on projects such as implementing new products or technologies, enhancing existing processes, and other strategic innovations that align with overall business goals.

The pay range for this position is $84,000 to $142,000; Starting pay determined based on candidate's qualifications and experience.

This position is Full Time, 40 hours weekly.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (Other Duties May be Assigned):

• Responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating designated projects to achieve desired results. Works with project stakeholders to define and/or communicate project vision, scope, timelines, budget and key performance indicators, including risk mitigation strategies. Identifies and allocates resources effectively to meet project goals.
• Champions communication as a critical component of successful project execution. Collaborates with diverse teams across different departments and at all levels of the Bank, fostering knowledge sharing, accountability, clarity of roles and responsibilities, and clear and meaningful discussions to align on project priorities and objectives. Serves as the primary point of contact for Senior Managers and project stakeholders, ensuring consistent, transparent and timely communication of updates, challenges and successes.
• Monitors project progress, and identifies and tracks issues. Works with stakeholders to find acceptable resolutions. Promptly escalates problems and communicates changes that could impact the project schedule, cost or success. Ensures that all decisions and due diligence are documented during the project.
• Engages with external vendors and service providers to define deliverables, establish project timelines, and negotiates contracts when appropriate. Coordinates and manages vendor activities, ensuring alignment with project requirements and organizational standards. Monitors vendor performance and addresses any issues or discrepancies to maintain project quality and timeliness.
• Oversees pilot projects to test the feasibility and viability of new ideas, collecting data and analyzing results to inform further development. Facilitates brainstorming sessions, prototyping, and developing of detailed concepts for new products, services, or processes, ensuring alignment with strategic business goals.
• Continuously evaluates project processes and recommends enhancements for efficiency and effectiveness. Prepares a post-project summary, including feedback on project successes or failures, and as well as suggested changes based on project experiences to improve the overall success of future project execution.
• Plays in key role in annual planning efforts, helping to prioritize and align projects with the Bank's strategic goals.

Knowledge and Skills

It is required that the employee in this position demonstrates a blend of traditional project management skills, with a strong focus on creative thinking, idea generation, and a willingness to experiment and adapt to bring innovative solutions to life. Must have expertise in project planning, execution, monitoring and closure, as well as proven ability to think strategically to align the broader business context of each project with organizational goals. The individual in this role must have exceptional communication skills to negotiate, build consensus, facilitate collaboration and effectively present ideas to diverse audiences. This position requires an employee with excellent organizational, problem-solving, and multi-tasking skills who has a proven ability to meet deadlines and triage unexpected problems as they arise. Must also be proficient in risk assessment and governance practices.

This position requires intermediate knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, and Access, along with Project Management software solutions. Experience with Smart Sheets is preferred. An understanding of relevant technologies and industry trends are also important to identify potential innovation opportunities.

Education and Work Experience

A Bachelor's degree in a related subject, or commensurate experience, is required. A Master's degree in related field is preferred. A minimum of seven years of related work experience is required. Working experience in financial services or the banking industry is highly preferred, as well as experience deploying digital capabilities (internally and externally), fintech offerings, and managing enterprise-wide efficiency studies. PMP or other leading industry certifications are also highly preferred.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements

This position is in an office environment, which means the physical surroundings are generally pleasant and comfortable with minimal exposure to injury or other hazards, with a moderate level of noise. Prolonged periods of sitting and looking at a computer screen with freedom of movement on a regular basis is expected. Minimal physical effort is required but could include: repetitive motion of wrists and fingers; talking and hearing; and handling of light materials and supplies. This position may require some travel between offices.

Country Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Diverse applicants encouraged to apply.

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