HR STRATEGIC PROJECT MGR

Covenant-Health; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Covenant Health in Knoxville is seeking a Human Resources Strategic Project Manager to partner with the HR executive team, coordinating enterprise HR strategies and initiatives.

You will manage cross-functional project plans, governance, metrics, and change management, translating executive priorities into actionable workstreams with clear timelines.

This 100% in-person role requires relocation to Knoxville and a Bachelor's degree in HR with 5+ years HR experience; master’s preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources or related field required, master’s degree preferred.
• 5 years of progressive HR experience. Proven track record to lead complex initiatives

Responsibilities

• Provide project management support to the Senior Vice President – Human Resources and HR leadership by organizing, prioritizing, and advancing executive HR strategies and initiatives.
• Coordinate project timelines, milestones, and follow-up actions across multiple HR workstreams with dashboards and status updates.
• Collaborate with HR and stakeholders at all levels to drive outcomes across strategic initiatives.
• Define and document project scope, timelines, success metrics, risks, dependencies, and resources.
• Lead change management activities to support adoption of new programs and systems including communication.
• Develop and execute communications plans to support engagement and alignment.
• Demonstrate knowledge of IT applications and HRIS as a tool to support HR initiatives.
• Use data-driven decision making and articulate ROI with KPI measurements.

Skills

Project management

Change management

Data analysis

ROI analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human resources or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

HRIS

Job description

Overview

Human Resources Strategic Project Manager

Full Time, 80 Hours Per Pay Period, Day Shift

100% in person, relocation to Knoxville required

Covenant Health Overview:

Covenant Health is the region’s top-performing healthcare network with 10hospitals,outpatient and specialtyservices,andCovenant Medical Group, our area’s fastest-growing physician practice division. Headquartered in Knoxville, Covenant Health is a community-owned integrated healthcare delivery system and the area’s largest employer. Our more than 11,000 employees, volunteers, and 1,500 affiliated physicians are dedicated to improving the quality of life for the more than two million patients and families we serve every year. Covenant Health is the only healthcare system in East Tennessee to be named a Forbes “Best Employer” seven times.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Senior Vice President – Human Resources, the HR Strategic Project Manager serves as a dedicated project management partner to the HR executive team, supporting the planning, coordination, execution, and delivery of enterprise Human Resources strategies and key initiatives. This role provides structure, discipline, and follow-through for cross-functional HR project plans, helping translate executive priorities into actionable workstreams with clear timelines, deliverables, accountability, and measurable outcomes. The position combines strategic planning, program leadership, project management expertise, and execution discipline to drive operational excellence by supporting project governance, tracking progress, identifying risks, and enabling successful implementation of HR strategies, programs, and activities. This role ensures effective coordination of project activities, resources, communications, and stakeholder engagement across HR functions. Partners closely with executive leaders, human resources, finance, and operational leaders to ensure Human Resources strategies, programs, and projects are implemented effectively and aligned with organizational priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide project management support to the Senior Vice President – Human Resources and senior HR leadership team by helping organize, prioritize, and advance executive HR strategies, projects, and initiatives in alignment with organizational priorities.
• Coordinate project timelines, deliverables, milestones, and follow-up actions across multiple HR workstreams; maintain project plans, executive status updates, dashboards, and related documentation.
• Collaborate within HR and partner with stakeholders at all levels to drive sustained outcomes across strategic initiatives; serve as a liaison between the HR executive office, HR teams, cross-functional partners, and project stakeholders.
• Define and document project scope, timelines, success metrics, risks, dependencies, and resources required to implement HR strategies and initiatives.
• Manage a portfolio of cross-functional HR projects on behalf of the HR executive leader, ensuring alignment, prioritization, accountability, and execution discipline.
• Lead change management activities to support adoption of new programs, processes and systems including communication.
• Develop and execute communication plans that support engagement, clarity and alignment.
• Possesses extensive knowledge of information technology applications and use of HRIS as a tool.
• Data driven decision making expertise with the ability to articulate ROI. Establish success metrics and KPI’s for strategies initiatives.
• Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree in human resources or related field required, master’s degree preferred.

Minimum Experience:

5 years of progressive HR experience. Proven track record to lead complex initiatives

Licensure Requirement:

None