Job Description: Project Management Consultant – Cognizant

Cognizant is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Project Management Consultant to join our team. The ideal candidate should have primary experience in project management in BFS space , along with experience in being part of large-scale transformation programs (ERP implementation, Digital Transformation etc)

Responsibilities:

• A seasoned PM with minimum 8+ years of experience in handling  projects preferably in BFS industry
• Stakeholder Management , Communication Management and excellent communication skills , proactiveness are the key qualitative skills that are required to excel in this role.
• Understanding of JIRA , Confluence , JIRA Service Management
• Vendor Driven Project Management , Communicating with external vendors offering  PM Product solutions like JIRA , Celoxis etc . Leading the communications with vendors.
• RAID management , Project Plan preparation
• Ability to communicate and provide status updates to the COO
• Leverage a proven track record to help clients with transformation initiatives, working with them to define project objectives, requirements, and deliverables in line with business needs.
• Develop and execute project plans, including a detailed work breakdown structure, timeline, and resource allocation.
• Establish and maintain effective communication channels with team members, stakeholders, and senior clients.
• Apply project management best practices and methodologies to standardize approaches across client environments.
• Monitor and control project progress, identify risks, and proactively propose and implement mitigation strategies to keep projects on track.
• Conduct regular project status meetings and provide timely and accurate updates to stakeholders.
• Experience in engaging IT and Business stakeholders, project sponsors and key leadership team on program health assessment, risk management, governance, and delivery
• Knowledge and experience in frameworks such as value realization, benefits management, program road-mapping, KPI / OKR / KRO definition for programs
• Facilitate the adoption and adherence to project governance and change control processes.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to project team members to optimize their performance and drive successful project outcomes.
• Contribute to business development efforts including proposals, project estimations, and client negotiations.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in technology, Management studies (or similar field).
• Experience in project management, with a minimum of 7-12 years of relevant experience.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of project management principles, methodologies, and tools.
• Significant experience in driving transformation enablement through implementation of program and change management methodologies, tools, and techniques.
• Preferred certifications: Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified associate in project management (CAPM), ITIL, SAFe.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic and fast-paced environment while managing high-pressure situations.
• Experience working with client stakeholders in industries such as Finance, Healthcare, IT, or other sectors is highly desirable