Lead project manager

Location:

The Lead Project Manager is responsible for overseeing large, high-priority projects that typically impact multiple Lines of Business (LOB) and/or functional areas, requiring significant coordination and integration of resources. This role manages projects from initial concept through final implementation, adhering to the established Standard Project Lifecycle. The Lead Project Manager collaborates with all stakeholders, including end users, distributors, and vendors, to ensure comprehensive project engagement and success. Key responsibilities include enforcing adherence to quality standards, conducting thorough reviews of project deliverables, and providing expert guidance and support to less experienced project managers. The position requires proficiency in risk management and organizational change management methodologies and techniques, as well as the ability to identify and recommend alternative solutions when necessary. The Lead Project Manager establishes and maintains trusted advisor relationships with stakeholders, delivers effective presentations to all levels of management, and reports directly to either the PMO Director or Domain Manager (KTO).

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• The Lead Project Manager is responsible for overseeing one or more high-impact projects within a fast-paced, dynamic environment. This role may require the direction of third-party resources and virtual teams, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives across multiple Lines of Business and functional areas. Projects led by the Lead Project Manager are often complex, may involve executive sponsorship, steering or advisory committees, and can extend over multiple years.

• Key responsibilities include development of business cases, facilitating project registration, consolidation, and prioritization, and creating comprehensive funding plans.

• The Lead Project Manager administers pipeline checkpoints to drive project delivery and proactively mitigates or resolves bottlenecks to ensure smooth progression.

• This position is accountable for defining and managing project scope and objectives, handling scope changes, establishing requirements, and ensuring deliverables align with the value proposition and business goals of diverse stakeholder groups.

• The Lead Project Manager develops integrated project plans, identifies and manages dependencies and critical paths, and tracks/report milestones and overall project status.

• A critical component of the role is ensuring that any potential impacts on external client experience are proactively addressed in project solutions and plans. The Lead Project Manager estimates and tracks resource needs, determines requirements for additional staffing and vendor support, manages onboarding and offboarding, and monitors vendor performance for labor resources.

• Financial management duties include drafting and submitting project budget proposals, recommending budget adjustments as needed, conducting cost forecasting, tracking actual expenditures, and reporting variances. The Lead Project Manager is also responsible for identifying, tracking, escalating, and resolving issues and conflicts, performing impact analyses, prioritizing tasks, managing dependencies, and escalating risks with appropriate corrective or mitigating actions.

• The Lead Project Manager tailors project management methods and metrics to fit project needs, administers configuration management and version control, adheres to organizational project policies and standards, performs project assessments, coaches and mentors project teams, and manages deliverable reviews and sign-offs.

• Effective communication is essential; the Lead Project Manager leads communication planning, execution, and reporting with project teams and liaises with key stakeholders. The role supports the development and implementation of change management strategies, including communication and training initiatives, and manages project documentation and knowledge transfer to operational teams.

• Additionally, the Lead Project Manager conducts lessons-learned reviews to inform future project success and oversees the execution of vendor contracts, ensuring strict adherence to contractual provisions.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Certifications : Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience required. Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification or equivalent preferred.

Experience : 5+ years of project management experience required.

Competencies and Skills:

• Operates independently and demonstrates key leadership competencies, including the ability to organize tasks, motivate teams, and guide others toward achieving shared project objectives and successful execution.

• Exhibits advanced critical thinking and problem-solving abilities to analyze and address complex project challenges; proactively initiates planning and execution of assigned responsibilities, consistently meeting established targets for project budget, schedule, scope, and risk management.

• Possesses a strong understanding of the organization's business model and effectively evaluates the impact of projects on overall business strategy.

• Displays exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, enabling clear and effective communication with stakeholders at all levels.

• Communicates the project's future state vision and articulates its strategic business impact to both internal and external partners.

• Assesses the strengths and developmental needs of team members; actively seeks and incorporates feedback from management and peers to foster continuous personal and professional growth.

• Identifies and evaluates project risks and issues, performs impact analysis and prioritization, and manages resolution processes; provides timely and accurate reporting on risk and issue status and their potential impact.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This position is eligible to earn a base salary in the range of $79,000.00 - $146,000.00 annually. Placement within the pay range may differ based upon various factors, including but not limited to skills, experience and geographic location. Compensation for this role also includes eligibility for incentive compensation subject to individual and company performance.

Please click here ( for a list of benefits for which this position is eligible.

Job Posting Expiration Date: 10/29/2025

KeyCorp is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to sustaining an inclusive culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

Qualified individuals with disabilities or disabled veterans who are unable or limited in their ability to apply on this site may request reasonable accommodations by emailing [email protected].

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