Artificial Intelligence (AI), Atlassian JIRA, Best Practices, Budgeting, Business Strategy, Capacity Management, Capital Markets, Career Development, Centralized Operations/Management, Continuous Improvement, Cross-Functional, Delivery Management, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), Embedded Systems, Establish Priorities, Finance, Financial Services, Global Financial Markets, International Business, Leadership, Management Strategy, Matrix Management, Mentoring, Performance Management, Performance Metrics, Process Improvement, Program Planning, Project Development, Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Software, Project Portfolio Management (PPM), Project/Program Management, Regulations, Regulatory Requirements, Reporting Skills, Resource Management, Risk, Risk Management, Strategic Planning, Succession Planning, Technical Operations, Technical Support
Title: Head of Project Management
Location: Chicago, IL (4 days a week in office)
A leading global financial markets infrastructure organization is seeking a Head of Project Management to transform and lead its enterprise-wide project management function.
This is a highly visible leadership role responsible for building a centralized project management organization, driving enterprise portfolio governance, and partnering with executive leadership to improve execution, transparency, and strategic delivery across a global, regulated business.
The organization operates critical trading, clearing, and market infrastructure technology supporting institutional financial markets worldwide.
Location: Chicago (4 days/week in office)
The Opportunity
The Head of Project Management will lead the evolution of the enterprise PM function by bringing together project management professionals currently embedded across multiple business units into a coordinated Center of Excellence.
This individual will oversee enterprise portfolio governance, executive reporting, organizational transformation, resource planning, and delivery excellence while partnering closely with executive leadership across technology, operations, product, risk, and business functions.
This role requires someone equally comfortable defining enterprise strategy and driving execution of complex initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Organizational Transformation
- Design and implement an enterprise-wide project management operating model
- Build and lead a centralized PM Center of Excellence
- Define governance structures, career development frameworks, and operating standards
- Lead organizational change while maintaining successful delivery throughout the transition
- Mentor and develop project managers through structured performance management and succession planning
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Enterprise Program Delivery
- Lead large-scale strategic programs from planning through execution
- Partner with senior business leaders to prioritize initiatives and align execution with business strategy
- Establish governance frameworks and KPI-driven portfolio reporting
- Improve visibility, consistency, and execution across enterprise initiatives
PM Methodology & Governance
- Standardize project management practices across technology, operations, infrastructure, and business teams
- Build enterprise portfolio visibility and executive reporting capabilities
- Improve decision-making, prioritization, resource planning, and escalation processes
- Drive continuous improvement through modern project management tools, AI, and best practices
Financial & Resource Management
- Partner with finance and business leaders on program budgeting
- Develop enterprise resource planning and capacity management frameworks
- Monitor delivery health, benefits realization, and executive-level KPIs
- Optimize resource allocation across strategic initiatives
Executive & Cross-Functional Leadership
- Act as the primary project management partner for executive leadership
- Collaborate across technology, operations, product, risk, compliance, and business functions
- Balance enterprise governance with regional and regulatory requirements across global entities
Risk & Controls
- Identify and manage delivery risks, dependencies, and issues
- Ensure programs meet regulatory, operational, and internal governance requirements
- Drive proactive risk management and effective escalation processes
Desired Background
- Experience leading enterprise-scale project portfolios within financial services, capital markets, exchanges, fintech, or other highly regulated industries
- Proven success leading organizational transformation, PMO modernization, or project management consolidation initiatives
- Strong people leadership experience in matrixed organizations
- Executive-level communication and stakeholder management skills
- Experience translating enterprise strategy into measurable execution
- Strong knowledge of project governance, portfolio management, and delivery frameworks
- Experience with enterprise project management platforms such as Jira, Confluence, or similar tools
- Familiarity with AI-enabled project delivery and modern PM methodologies is highly desirable