IT Project Lead - Infrastructure

JOB DESCRIPTION

An IT Infrastructure Senior Project Lead is responsible for the end-to-end planning, execution, and delivery of major infrastructure projects, such as network upgrades, cloud migrations, and data center installations. The role balances hands-on technical oversight with strong project management and leadership skills, working with all participating teams ensuring projects are completed on time, within scope, and on budget.

Responsibilities:

Project planning and management

• Lead the planning and implementation of IT infrastructure projects from initiation to closure.
• Work with infrastructure leaders to define project scope, goals, objectives, and deliverables in collaboration with business stakeholders and technical teams.
• Create and manage detailed project plans, schedules, budgets, and resource allocation strategies.
• Identify, track, and manage project risks, issues, and dependencies, developing mitigation strategies to ensure successful project completion.
• Ensure all project documentation is complete, accurate, and properly maintained.

Team leadership and coordination

• Lead, mentor, and motivate cross-functional project teams, including internal staff and third-party vendors.
• Coordinate internal and external resources to execute tasks and milestones effectively.
• Facilitate project meetings, provide clear direction, and ensure team alignment with project goals.
• Mediate and resolve conflicts among team members or stakeholders to keep the project on track.

Communication and stakeholder management

• Act as the primary point of contact for project communication, providing regular status updates to stakeholders and senior leadership.
• Manage stakeholder expectations and ensure their requirements are understood and met.
• Translate complex technical concepts and project updates for non-technical audiences.
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with all parties involved in the project.

Technical oversight

• Oversee the design, installation, configuration, and maintenance of IT systems, including servers, networks, storage, and cloud environments.
• Ensure that project deliverables align with the organization's technical standards and strategic objectives.
• Provide technical guidance to the project team and participate in complex troubleshooting when needed.
• Stay informed of emerging technologies and industry best practices to improve infrastructure projects.

Qualifications:

Education and experience

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field.
• 6+ years of experience in IT infrastructure management, with a proven track record of successfully leading projects.
• Experience with a variety of infrastructure technologies, such as on-premise servers, cloud platforms (AWS, Azure), networking equipment, and security devices.
• Proven ability to manage complex, deadline-driven projects in a fast-paced environment.

Certifications

• PMP (Project Management Professional): Highly preferred or required by some employers.
• ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library): Certification in IT service management is often desired.
• Agile or Scrum certifications: Knowledge of Agile, Scrum, or Waterfall project management methodologies is common.

Skills and competencies

• Leadership and team management: Strong ability to motivate, guide, and lead a diverse team.
• Communication: Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills to effectively interact with technical teams, management, and vendors.
• Problem-solving: Aptitude for identifying and resolving complex technical and logistical issues.
• Organizational skills: Strong time-management and prioritization skills to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Budget management: Experience with managing project budgets and optimizing resource allocation.
• Technical knowledge: Broad understanding of networking, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and server/storage management.

PRIMARY LOCATION

Central Tech Unit Plymouth MI