IT Project Manager

NW Natural; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 98,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

NW Natural seeks an IT Project Manager to lead infrastructure, network, and security projects from initiation through close. You will coordinate with procurement, finance, engineering, and external vendors to deliver secure, reliable solutions while aligning with PMO standards.

The role requires strong communication and leadership across cross-functional teams, with hybrid work at NW Natural HQ in Portland. A bachelor’s degree and PMI certification are preferred.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing IT infrastructure and network delivery.
• Security-focused project leadership including IAM, network segmentation, endpoints.
• Experience delivering projects with Service Desk/ITSM integration.

Responsibilities

• Drive projects through all PMO phases from initiation to close.
• Lead project intake and secure stakeholder approvals.
• Oversee project teams and external consultants; ensure deliverables meet NWN standards.
• Identify and manage risks, costs, and changes.
• Prepare documentation and maintain transparent communications with sponsors.

Skills

Infrastructure delivery

Cybersecurity awareness

Service delivery

Cross-functional leadership

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/technology/engineering/construction

Job description

IT Project Manager

About Us

At NW Natural, we offer more than rewarding career opportunities and a vibrant, inclusive work culture. We invite you to join us in providing safe and reliable utility services and renewable energy to better the lives of the communities we serve. Our vision is to be the leader in service excellence, innovation and environmental stewardship for our customers, while building on our strengths as a trusted energy provider and environmental leader for our industry.

NOTE

This hybrid position is based at our headquarters in downtown Portland, Oregon. Candidates must reside within commuting distance of the office or be willing to relocate to the Portland metropolitan area. Employees are required to work onsite Tuesdays through Thursdays each week, with remote work flexibility on Mondays and Fridays, subject to business needs. This schedule supports collaboration, connection, and team engagement while providing flexibility for focused remote work.

The Role

This role is for an Infrastructure, Network, Service Delivery, Strategy and IT Planning (INSD) program/project manager. This role works collaboratively with procurement, accounting, finance, engineering, IT&S, facilities and external vendors and partners to successfully deliver projects at NW Natural. This role will serve as a subject matter expert on PMO processes, tools, and deliverables to support other procurement resources operating in a project management capacity. This role will also actively participate in identifying, assessing, and implementing process improvements within the PMO.

Position requires:

• Infrastructure & Network Delivery Experience – Proven experience managing projects involving core IT infrastructure (servers, data centers, cloud platforms), network upgrades (Hypervisor VMs, firewalls, VPNs), and coordination with infrastructure and network engineering teams to deliver secure, reliable solutions.
• Cybersecurity & Risk Awareness – Hands‑on experience leading projects with security implications, including identity and access management, network segmentation, endpoint security, compliance‑driven initiatives, and close coordination with cybersecurity and risk/compliance teams.
• Service Delivery & Help Desk Integration – Experience delivering projects that impact end‑user support, including Service Desk/ITSM tools, operational readiness, incident/change management alignment, and smooth transitions from project delivery into steady‑state support.
• Cross‑Functional & Operational Leadership – Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional teams (Infrastructure, Network, Security, Service Delivery), manage vendors and contractors, handle operational constraints, and communicate clearly with both technical SMEs and executive stakeholders.

Day to Day

• Responsible for driving assigned projects throughout all project phases from initiation, through close, in accordance with the PMO’s project delivery process and best practices. Build strong relationships with the project team, sponsors, stakeholders, vendors and leadership, escalating any issues thoughtfully and proactively.
• Lead the project intake process within PMO project management tool and obtain all required stakeholder approvals. Work with the project team to establish accurate project goals, scope of work, budget, and schedule.
• Oversee project team and external consultants throughout the project lifecycle and ensure deliverables are completed to NWN’s standards of accuracy and quality.
• Periodically work with the project team and stakeholders to identify, collect, and manage project risks and issues
• Develop, manage, and update the project actual and forecast cost. Manage cost performance to both forecast and budget and conduct analyses to identify and remediate variances as needed.
• Assess, document, and communicate any changes in the project’s scope, cost, and schedule baseline. If required, manage the Change Order request/approval process in accordance with PMO change management best practices.
• Manage project communications, including meetings, status reports, monthly portfolio reviews, and other communications. Schedule and lead periodic project team meetings and deliver meeting minutes and action items as required. Present project status reports at routine monthly executive/project sponsor meetings. Deliver ad hoc communications as needed or directed to maintain project transparency
• Identify, procure, and manage project‑related human resources, including FTEs and contractors, from NW Natural resource managers or vendor partners. Provide all team members with clear guidance regarding tasks and deadlines. Work with project team members and resource managers to address and resolve any performance concerns.
• If external vendors, contractors, or resources are engaged on the project, assist purchasing with the development of request for proposal (RFP) scope documents for outside vendors. Coordinate the issuance of RFPs with NWN procurement team.
• Negotiate and obtain approval as required for vendor change orders. Manage vendor schedules, deliverables, and cost according to their respective SOWs. Integrate vendor project information into the project plan.
• Ensure adequate touchpoints and communications exist between NW Natural sponsors, steering committees, and stakeholders and vendor project team members.
• Prepare and submit PMO required documentation throughout the project lifecycle process. Track, collect and organize all relevant project information in accordance with PMO change management best practices.
• Complete other duties as assigned, including process and/or deliverable improvement projects or other work as assigned by your manager or PMO leadership.

Come on your first day with

PM2

• Demonstrated success applying project management concepts and techniques across projects
• Superb communication and presentation skills across all levels of the organization
• Demonstrated analytical skills, including problem solving and critical thinking, with attention to detail
• Ability to facilitate meetings and manage difficult conversations with tact and diplomacy
• Ability to gain and maintain credibility at all levels of the organization
• Bachelor’s degree in business, [technology, engineering. construction] or related field
• PMI or equivalent certification preferred
• 5+ years of project management experience

PM3

• Thorough knowledge of project and program management theories, models, and techniques for [information technology, construction, engineering] projects
• Demonstrated success applying project management concepts and techniques across complex, mission‑critical projects/programs with multiple cross‑functional dependencies
• PMI or equivalent certification preferred
• 8+ years of progressive project management leadership experience
• Experience in the Utility Industry
• Proven experience managing projects that support field operations, maintenance crews, frontline workforces, and geospatial systems
• Understanding of unionized and bargaining unit environments
• Experience operating systems hosted on Azure, including an understanding of information systems management
• Demonstrated ability to manage vendors and drive accountability against performance expectations
• Ability to clearly articulate trade‑offs between business impact and security risk
• Systems‑thinking mindset across networks, infrastructure, applications, vendors, and business operations

What we offer

Health & Wellness

• Rich health insurance benefits with competitive employer contribution
• Free access to an online wellness resources platform

Work Life Balance

• Up to 23 Vacation Days
• 80 Hours of Sick Time
• 10 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays
• Flexible work arrangements
• 3 weeks paid parental leave
• Be part of a workplace where your voice matters. Engage with our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council, and a variety of Employee Resource Groups that support community and growth.
• 1500 sq foot exercise facility and secure bike room

Financial

• Meaningful annual incentive bonus opportunity in addition to base salary
• Competitive 401K company contribution and match
• 15% discount on NW Natural stock through Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Up to $5250 a year in tuition reimbursement
• Wellness incentive program

Discounts

• 20% off natural gas service
• Up to 30% discount at NW Natural Appliance Center
• TriMet Pass for all HQ employees
• Generous discounts with Verizon & AT&T Wireless

Base salary range

$98,450.00 - $140,300.00 (Level 2) or $110,250.00 - $157,100.00 (Level 3) per year, depending on qualifications

Annual Target Incentive

Level 2, 9.5% target

Level 3, 12.0% target

Targets are calculated using eligible earnings during plan year participation. Payout, if earned, is based on company and individual performance for each plan year and may range from 0% – 200% of target. Targets are subject to change in subsequent plan years. Must be employed by September 30 in order to receive any prorated payout.

Deadline

11/17/26

Disclosure

We are a drug free workplace and we comply with Federal Drug Free Workplace Act and Department of Transportation regulations. NW Natural participates in E-Verify. Individuals hired will have their Form I-9 information submitted to E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

E-Verify Information
NW Natural participates in E-Verify. Individuals hired will have their Form I-9 information submitted to E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

All applications must be submitted through NW Natural’s Electronic Application System. Resumes submitted via email, fax or mail will not be accepted in lieu of an electronic application.

NW Natural is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and embrace our candidates’ diversity and take affirmative action to employ and advance individuals without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, marital status, genetic information, and all other legally protected characteristics. We forbid discrimination and harassment in the workplace based on any protected status or characteristic. A criminal history is not an automatic bar to employment with NW Natural. Instead, we make individualized assessments regarding qualifications and backgrounds. NW Natural is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation as part of the application process, please contact us at [e-mail] or [phone].

NW Natural does not accept unsolicited submissions or assistance from search firms for posted positions. Resumes submitted by search firms working under a valid and current written contract with NW Natural valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from NW Natural HR/Employment will be deemed the sole property of NW Natural. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by NW Natural as a result of the referral or through other means.