Project Manager (AI Focus)

KnitWell Group; Pataskala (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Merchandise discount at KnitWell Group

Career development opportunities

Volunteer & charitable programs

Medical, dental, vision insurance & 4O

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Time off & holidays

Job summary

KnitWell Group is seeking an Enterprise Project Manager to lead strategic initiatives across AI, infrastructure, and cybersecurity, partnering with technology and business leaders to deliver modernization and risk reduction.

The role spans cross-functional programs with Marketing, Omnichannel, Supply Chain, Merchandising, Finance, and HR, ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery and tangible business outcomes for a premier retail family of brands.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or related field.
• PMI PMP, CSM, Agile cert or equivalent project management certification preferred.
• Typically has 7 to 10 years of IT work experience, including 4+ years managing projects.
• Extensive knowledge of project management methodologies, resources and change management.
• Strong organization, prioritization and communication skills.
• Experience with AI, Generative AI, automation, ML preferred.
• Experience in retail/omnichannel or consumer-facing organization preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage one or more strategic cross-functional projects from initiation through implementation and stabilization.
• Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, budgets, risk logs, and governance materials.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget, aligned to objectives.
• Coordinate planning, resource coordination, dependencies, and milestone tracking.
• Identify risks and drive mitigation and resolution strategies.
• Coordinate communication across stakeholders at all levels.
• Support business case development, project intake, requirements gathering, and solution planning.
• Identify opportunities to leverage technology to improve customer experience and productivity.
• Promote continuous improvement in delivery processes and tools.

Skills

PMP certification

CSM

Agile certification

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or related field

Job description

About Us

KnitWell Group, a specialty retail operating company, comprises some of the most iconic brands in America – Ann Taylor, Chico's, Haven Well Within, Lane Bryant, LOFT, Soma, Talbots, White House Black Market. Individually, our brands are unique and strong. Together, we are powerful.

About Us

KnitWell Group, a specialty retail operating company, comprises some of the most iconic brands in America – Ann Taylor, Chico's, Haven Well Within, Lane Bryant, LOFT, Soma, Talbots, White House Black Market. Individually, our brands are unique and strong. Together, we are powerful.

Our common thread is our commitment to create exceptional products, provide memorable experiences, and achieve superior results. Our associates are innovators who thrive through collaboration and are dedicated to excellence. At the heart of it all are the customers we serve. We are dedicated to creating fashion that not only looks good but also makes our customers feel good.

About The Role

The Enterprise Project Manager is responsible for leading and delivering strategic enterprise initiatives that drive business value, technology modernization, operational excellence, and risk reduction across the organization.

This role will primarily support the AI, Infrastructure, and Cybersecurity portfolio, partnering closely with technology and business leaders to execute initiatives related to artificial intelligence, cloud and infrastructure modernization, cybersecurity, resiliency, compliance, and enterprise technology enablement. In addition, the role will support cross-functional programs spanning Marketing, Omnichannel, Supply Chain, Merchandising, Finance, HR, and other corporate functions as organizational priorities evolve.

The impact you can have

• Lead and manage one or more strategic cross-functional projects and programs from initiation through implementation and stabilization.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans, schedules, budgets, risk registers, issue logs, and governance materials.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned to business objectives and organizational priorities.
• Facilitate project planning, resource coordination, dependency management, and milestone tracking across business and technology teams.
• Proactively identify risks, issues, constraints, and dependencies and drive mitigation and resolution strategies.
• Coordinate communication and decision-making across stakeholders at all levels of the organization
• Support business case development, project intake, requirements gathering, and solution planning activities.
• Assist in identifying opportunities to leverage technology to improve customer experience, associate productivity, operational effectiveness, and business outcomes.
• Promote continuous improvement in project delivery processes, tools, and methodologies.

You’ll bring to the role

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or other related field - or equivalent professional experience.
• Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Agile certification, or equivalent project management certification preferred.
• Typically has 7 to 10 years of IT work experience, including 4 or more years managing projects. Experience with projects in multiple technologies and functions.
• Must possess extensive knowledge and expertise in the use of project management methodologies and tools, resource management practices and change management techniques.
• Must have strong organization and prioritization skills to balance issue and risk management, cost management and scope/schedule management on a single large project or possibly across smaller, multiple projects.
• Must have strong verbal and written communication skills to convey status, report issues/risks, lead problem resolution activities and engage supporting teams and personnel not directly part of core project team.
• Experience supporting AI, Generative AI, automation, machine learning, or emerging technology initiatives preferred
• Experience working in a retail, omnichannel, or consumer-facing organization preferred

Benefits

• You will be eligible to receive a merchandise discount at select KnitWell Group brands, subject to each brand’s discount policies.
• Support for your individual development plus opportunities for career mobility within our family of brands.
• A culture of giving back – local volunteer opportunities, annual donation and volunteer match to eligible nonprofit organizations, and philanthropic activities to support our communities.*
• Medical, dental, vision insurance & 401(K).*
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Time off – paid time off & holidays.*
• Any job offer will consider factors such your qualifications, relevant experience, and skills. Eligibility of certain benefits and associate programs are subject to employment type and role.

Remote

Preference will be given to candidates in Columbus, OH, Hingham, MA or Ft. Myers, FL areas near one of our corporate offices. This position is also open to remote candidates. Occasional travel to a company office may be required.

Applicants to this position must be authorized to work for any employer in the US without sponsorship. We are not providing sponsorship for this position.

Location

Ascena Corp ETNA-ascena-Pataskala, OH 43062

Position Type

Regular/Full time

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Company is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from diverse candidates. Hiring decisions are based upon a candidate's qualifications as they relate to the requirements of the position under consideration and are made without regard to sex (including pregnancy), race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other category protected by applicable law. The Company is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to perform the essential duties of the position you are seeking or to participate in the application process, please contact [e-mail]. The Company will make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified applicants or employees, unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship on the operations of the Company’s business. The Company will not revoke or alter a job offer based on an applicant’s request for reasonable accommodation.