Project Manager, Human Resources

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF; the Foundation), located in Princeton, N.J., is the largest philanthropy in America dedicated solely to health. Since 1972, we have focused on developing and promoting innovations in health and healthcare to improve the lives of millions. In partnership with others, we are working toward a nation that is rooted in equity, compassion, and respect; a nation that provides everyone in America a fair and just opportunity to thrive, no matter who they are, where they live, or how much money they have. This requires addressing many harmful obstacles to wellbeing, including poverty, powerlessness, and discrimination.

We take seriously our responsibilities, and we pledge to work in ways that reflect our Guiding Principles. These are rooted in equity and influence everything we do at RWJF. Equity, diversity, inclusion, and collaboration allow our staff’s wide range of experiences, passions, and perspectives to enrich our work and strengthen our ability to address our nation’s most pressing health issues. The Foundation offers a collaborative, collegial, and creative work environment. With a career at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, you will make a difference.

About This Opportunity

Reporting to the senior director, People Strategies, the project manager, Human Resources (HR), will track and manage HR projects and coordinate people and processes to ensure that HR projects are delivered on time and produce the desired results. The incumbent will be expected to prepare and present progress updates to appropriate channels on a regular basis.

Responsibilities are across the following areas:

• Project Management: Establish and maintain processes to manage scope over HR project life cycles; set project quality and performance standards; assess and manage risk within and across multiple projects; and document processes, outcomes, and learnings.
• Data Analysis and Intelligence: In coordination with the Workday team, lead and collaborate with data collection leads to develop metrics and other key performance indicators that can be used to recommend and implement best practices, ensuring optimal utilization of HR services, systems, and infrastructure.
• Stakeholder Management: Build and develop project teams to ensure maximum performance, providing purpose, direction, and motivation. Facilitate and manage key relationships with colleagues and partners. Establish and maintain relationships with appropriate clients, providing day-to-day contact on project status and changes.
  
  

As with staff at all levels of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the project manager is expected to demonstrate a passionate commitment to equity, to the Foundation’s mission, and its Guiding Principles.

Essential Job Responsibilities 

• Lead project planning sessions from requirements definition through deployment, identifying schedules, scopes, budget estimations, and project implementation plans, including risk mitigation.
• Develop detailed project plans, ensuring resource availability, allocation, and delivering every project on time within budget and scope.
• Identify and analyze risk to design mitigation strategies. This includes creating logs, categorization, and expertise in managing risk tolerance and likelihood, not risk avoidance.
• Measure project performance using appropriate systems, tools, and techniques.
• Facilitate and/or participate in regular team calls; oversee all incoming and outgoing project documentation.
• Create detailed reports and present progress updates for HR leadership and appropriate channels on a regular basis.
• Conduct project review; coordinate internal and external resources, ensure resource availability and allocation, and delivering every project on time within budget and scope.
• Recommend, optimize, and improve HR processes and the overall approach where necessary; monitor and assign resources appropriately to streamline project efficiency and maximize deliverable outputs.
• Research and analyze data; connect trends and recommendations across the employee life cycle and disseminate results and learnings to HR team.
• Collaborate with HR communications to create content and materials including regular reports.
• Perform additional related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Personally maotivated to support the Foundation’s mission and goals. Successful experience fostering an inclusive and collaborative team environment; and managing and motivating a multidisciplinary team of people with diverse cultural, social, and ethnic backgrounds and varying experiences and strengths.
• Project Management: Strong knowledge and demonstrated application of project management methodologies and approaches to the end-to-end oversight, drive, and management of a portfolio of projects. A clear understanding of your approach and methodology—even if self-designed—is required. Strong planning, organization, time management, and prioritization skills. Able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and function under pressure.
• Analytical Skills: Strong diagnostic, analytical, and quantitative skills with a demonstrated track record for translating data into strategic guidance. Demonstrated ability to quickly understand and connect the day-to-day priorities, objectives, and activities for the HR functions to optimize results.
• Technology: Proficient with data systems and databases. Working experience with HR technology systems, preferably Workday. Proficient with data systems and databases. Able to use various technology approaches to support work activities.
• Internal Communications: Demonstrated ability to present ideas effectively; communicate clearly and persuasively with strong presentation skills for the purpose of bringing people along. Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to synthesize material and focus quickly on the essence of an issue; to identify major opportunities in a specific area; to see the big picture.
• Change Management: Able to design change management planning beginning with the diagnostics through implementation. Able to quickly adapt and positively manage change. Demonstrated maturity and sound judgment; able to make decisions and justify recommendations while practicing a high level of confidentiality and discretion.
• Industry Education and Experience: Minimum of five years of project management experience. Professional certification desired, but not required. Minimum two years working with a Human Resources department or a Human Resources or Business Management degree. A combination of equivalent education and work experience may be substituted for the above requirements.
• Relationship Management: Demonstrated consultative partnering skills; strong customer service with a good sense of humor. The ability to effectively communicate and influence others at all levels. Able to counsel effectively; deal diplomatically with others; manage conflict; and resolve problems effectively.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

The project manager will perform job duties in a typical business office environment. Specific physical abilities required by this job include operating basic office equipment. Will be required to attend meetings, potentially both in person and off-site via phone or videoconference. Some domestic travel may be required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Salary

The starting salary range for the project manager is $93,000 to $97,000. Why work at RWJF? Learn more about the benefits of working at RWJF.

Application Deadline: April 2, 2023

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ and other underrepresented applicants.