Director - Project Management Office - Innovation Lead

Health Care Service Corp.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 147,000 - 272,000; Full time

Job summary

Health Care Service Corporation in Chicago seeks a strategic programs leader to deliver complex, enterprise technology and business initiatives. This role serves as a key liaison between business and IT, translating objectives into executable programs and driving AI-enabled transformation of the EPMO.

You will oversee budget, schedule, scope, resources, risk, and quality across multiple parallel initiatives, partnering with executive stakeholders and leaders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree with 10 years in project/program management, or 14 years in project/program management.
• Experience driving process innovation in a project delivery environment.
• 4 years of leadership experience.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a matrixed environment across senior/executive leadership domains.
• Strong organizational, communication, and facilitation skills for executive interactions.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end delivery of complex, enterprise programs.
• Lead budget, schedule, scope, resources, quality, risk, and performance.
• Partner with Product Delivery Leaders and IT Product Managers.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration and accountability.

Skills

Leadership experience

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Change management

Negotiation skills

Risk management

Cross-functional collaboration

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master’s Degree or MBA

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

At HCSC, our employees are the cornerstone of our business and the foundation to our success. We empower employees with curated development plans that foster growth and promote rewarding, fulfilling careers. Join HCSC and be part of a purpose-driven company that will invest in your professional development.

Job Summary

This role provides the strategic leadership, technical expertise, and business acumen required to deliver critical technology and business initiatives. The position serves as a key liaison between business and IT teams, ensuring strategic objectives are translated into executable programs that drive measurable business value. Additionally, this role leads the evaluation, prioritization, and implementation an AI enabled transformation of the EPMO. This leader will partner cross functionally to build a modern EPMO that leverages AI capabilities (e.g., agentic, other enterprise AI solutions) for document analysis, meeting management, delivery planning, forecasting and analytics, reporting, etc. The leader develops a strong understanding of HCSC's products, technology landscape, and Lines of Business to assess delivery feasibility, identify dependencies, and proactively manage competing priorities. Accountable for the end-to-end delivery of complex, enterprise-wide programs, the role oversees budget, schedule, scope, resources, quality, risk, and overall program performance. Working closely with Product Delivery Leaders, IT Product Managers, and executive stakeholders, this role drives execution by removing obstacles, mitigating risks, building consensus, and facilitating timely decision-making. The role provides leadership and oversight for a team of matrixed Program and Project Managers, fostering collaboration, accountability, and operational excellence to ensure successful delivery of strategic business outcomes.

Required Job Qualifications

Bachelor Degree and 10 years experience in project management, program management, product development, transformation, or related experience or 14 years in project or program management Experience driving process innovation in a project delivery environment 4 years of leadership experience Proven ability to work effectively in a matrixed environment across multiple senior/executive leadership domains. Able to navigate complexity and competing priorities to achieve desired value and business outcomes. Strategic business focus and understanding; customer-focused perspective. Organization, communication, facilitation skills – able to interact credibly with executive leadership. Long-term focus and ability to make (or make recommendations regarding) strategic decisions. Ownership for making decisions (or recommendations for decisions) related to approving, rejecting, and discontinuing projects. Understanding of and demonstrable experience in project delivery and managing large programs. Negotiation and conflict resolution skills; ability to create an open environment where conflicts as to project priorities and funding decisions can be aired and resolved in an objective manner. Understanding of the core business of the company along with its associated products/services. Understanding how market trend impact company strategy and operations. Ability to instill trust, motivate, work with other people, ability to lead a team (in multiple locations). Excellent interpersonal skills, team building, organizational and mentoring skills. Cost accounting and budgeting knowledge. Ability to develop strong working relationships with all relevant parties, especially at an executive level. Ability to influence (direct / indirect reports, project stakeholders, and executives) and manage in a matrix organization. Ability to handle ambiguity; agility and flexibility to adapt to constantly changing priorities. Structured, organized and methodical in execution; takes ownership and accountability for outcomes, drives for results and drives certainty in delivery; Oversee the management of multiple parallel efforts and deliver quality deliverables / programs / releases on schedule. Knowledge of and familiarity with standard portfolio management tools and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PPT, Word, Project.

Preferred Job Qualifications

Master’s Degree or MBA Extensive experience in project delivery and working in complex programs Consulting experience Health Care and/or Health Insurance Industry experience. Experience driving AI led innovation across people, process, and technology for current and future use cases. PMP and/or PGMP Certification preferred.

Pay Transparency Statement

At Health Care Service Corporation, you will be part of an organization committed to offering meaningful benefits to our employees to support their life outside of work. From health and wellness benefits, 401(k) savings plan, pension plan, paid time off, paid parental leave, disability insurance, supplemental life insurance, employee assistance program, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, plus other incentives, we offer a robust total rewards package for employees. Learn more about our benefit offerings by visiting https://careers.hcsc.com/totalrewards. The compensation offered will vary depending on your job-related skills, education, knowledge, and experience. This role aligns with an annual incentive bonus plan subject to the terms and the conditions of the plan. Flex employees are expected to be in the office a minimum of three days a week. Management will have discretion to modify an employee's weekly schedule for exigent circumstances.

HCSC Employment Statement

We are an Equal Opportunity Employment employer dedicated to providing a welcoming environment where the unique differences of our employees are respected and valued. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are a drug‑free and smoke‑free workplace. Employment may be contingent upon successful completion of drug screening in accordance with applicable law.

Base Pay Range $146,700.00 - $272,400.00 Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.

For more than 80 years, HCSC has been dedicated to expanding access to high-quality, cost-effective health care and equipping our members with information and tools to make the best health care decisions for themselves and their families. As an industry leader, HCSC also has been helping to make the health care system work better for all Americans. To remain a leader, we offer compelling careers that encourage resourcefulness, strategic thought and empower you to make a difference in the lives of our members and their communities. Today, with the industry at an important crossroad, HCSC is reimagining health care and looking for original thinkers who aren’t afraid to make innovative contributions. We are an Equal Opportunity Employment employer dedicated to workforce diversity and a drug‑free and smoke‑free workplace. Learn more about HCSC, our commitment to our members and the opportunity you’ll have to improve health care delivery in an open, collaborative environment. HCSC is committed to diversity in the workplace and to providing equal opportunity to employees and applicants.

If you are an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and need an accommodation or assistance in either using the Careers website or completing the application process, you can call us at 1-866-977-7378 to request reasonable accommodations. Please note that only requests for accommodations in the application process will be returned. All applications, including resumes, must be submitted through HCSC's Career website on‑line application process. If you have general questions regarding the status of an existing application, navigate to "candidate home" to view your job submissions.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Divisions of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, and Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association © Copyright 2025 Health Care Service Corporation. All Rights Reserved.