Project Management Specialist IV

Upbound Group Inc.; Plano (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Upbound Group seeks a Project Management Specialist IV to independently own critical cross-functional projects from concept through implementation. You will translate business objectives into actionable plans, coordinate with teams, manage risks, and ensure governance standards are followed.

Ideal candidates bring 5+ years of PM/PGM experience, strong communication, and the ability to influence without authority in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Ability to independently own highly visible cross-functional projects
• Excellent written and verbal communication across teams
• Ability to guide cross-functional teams without direct authority
• Comfort operating in dynamic environments with ambiguity
• Solution-oriented and proactive in obstacle removal
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills

Responsibilities

• Independently manage concurrent cross-functional projects from initiation to closeout
• Provide guidance to cross-functional teams and align stakeholders
• Translate business objectives into clear delivery plans and milestones
• Monitor progress and drive quality, timelines, and outcomes
• Navigate ambiguity and resolve cross-functional dependencies
• Communicate status, risks and decisions to stakeholders
• Maintain project artifacts, governance routines, and implementation plans
• Identify and manage risks, issues, assumptions, and dependencies

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Project

SharePoint

Jira

Visio

Job description

Upbound Group

Project Management Specialist IV

Upbound Group (NASDAQ: UPBD) is a technology and data-driven leader in accessible financial solutions, serving millions of consumers through trusted brands including Acima®, Brigit™, and Rent-A-Center®. More than just a financial services company, we're a purpose-driven team focused on expanding financial inclusion, creating opportunity, and helping people achieve what's possible. Our mission is simple: leverage innovation, technology, and talent to build a better future and elevate financial opportunity for all.

JOB PURPOSE

Under the direction of the Senior Director, EPMO, the Project Management Specialist IV independently owns execution of critical projects from concept through implementation. The role serves as the central point for delivery, translating business objectives into actionable plans, navigating ambiguity, resolving dependencies, and making sound decisions with limited direction. This position builds alignment between cross-functional teams without direct authority, reinforces accountability for commitments and outcomes, and ensures projects are delivered in accordance with EPMO standards and governance practices.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Independently manage concurrent and highly visible cross-functional projects from initiation through planning, execution, implementation, and closeout, typically within a single line of business.
• Provide guidance to cross-functional teams without direct authority. Facilitate collaboration, decision-making, and follow-through. Build credibility and hold stakeholders appropriately accountable for commitments, actions, and outcomes.
• Serve as the primary point for project delivery by translating business objectives into clear outcomes and delivery plans; monitor progress and drive quality, timelines, commitments, and expected results.
• Navigate ambiguity by clarifying the path to execution, resolving cross-functional dependencies, adapting plans as conditions change, and making decisions with limited direction. Anticipates challenges and proactively removes barriers to delivery.
• Apply business context and relevant business drivers to project decisions, challenge assumptions when needed, and support delivery of intended project outcomes.
• Balance competing project demands and stakeholder needs while maintaining focus on critical milestones, deliverables, and business outcomes.
• Develop and maintain project scope, schedules, milestones, resource plans, project artifacts, governance routines, and implementation plans in partnership with business and technology teams.
• Identify, track, and manage project risks, issues, assumptions, and dependencies. Proactively recommend solutions, facilitate timely resolution, and escalated when appropriate.
• Provide clear, timely project communications tailored to stakeholder needs, including status, risks, decisions, dependencies, and required actions.
• Consistently apply EPMO governance, methodologies, tools, and organizational standards; identify practical opportunities to improve project delivery and team effectiveness.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrated ability to independently own highly visible cross-functional projects, balance competing priorities, and maintain focus on deliverables, outcomes, and deadlines.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail and the ability to communicate effectively across teams and levels of the organization.
• Ability to provide guidance across cross-functional teams, build credibility, influence without direct authority, and appropriately hold stakeholders accountable for commitments and outcomes.
• Ability to operate effectively in a dynamic environment with changing priorities and moderate ambiguity, using sound judgment to solve problems and recommend actions.
• Solution-oriented and accountable, with the initiative to advance work through obstacles rather than relying solely on escalation.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, facilitation, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to resolve dependencies and support timely decisions.
• Business acumen and the ability to understand business drivers and use them to inform project decisions; retail experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of project management methodologies and practices, including Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid delivery approaches.
• Minimum of 5 years of related Project, Program, and/or Product Management experience, including experience managing cross-functional business and technology projects.
• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred; Lean/Six Sigma certification or experience preferred.
• Proficiency with project management, collaboration, and productivity tools, including Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, SharePoint, Jira, Visio, and/or comparable platforms.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.