Project Manager

Evolving Solution Services; United States; On-site; USD 92,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

Retirement plan with employer match

Life insurance

Pet insurance

Job summary

CENIC is seeking a Project Manager in La Mirada, CA to lead multiple concurrent projects from initiation through close, ensuring on-time delivery within budget. The role emphasizes stakeholder communication, risk management, and process improvement within a dynamic, high‑tech environment.

Reporting to the Manager of the Program Management Office, you will coordinate internal and external resources, drive data-driven decisions, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to support CalREN

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred and 4 - 6 years of relevant work experience.
• Project management certification preferred.
• Proven experience managing multiple projects through their entire life cycle.
• Experience in a university/research environment preferred.
• Telecommunications industry experience preferred.
• Professional Services Implementation experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage and lead multiple complex projects ranging in size from small to large, through project initiation to close.
• Effectively manage multiple competing projects and shifting priorities.
• Accountable for day-to-day project support for multiple small to large-sized project plans and teams working on the various work areas identified.
• Effectively communicate project status to, and manage expectations of, team members and stakeholders in a timely and clear fashion.
• Review project team deliverables to ensure quality and adherence to internal standards.
• Develop strong relationships with customers to understand their needs, to anticipate obstacles to success, and to advocate internally on their behalf.

Skills

Project management

Vendor management

Interpersonal skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

4-6 years of relevant experience

Job description

Project Manager

Administrative La Mirada, CA, US

Salary Range: $92,000.00 To $100,000.00 Annually

About CENIC:

Join the team that connects California to the world — advancing education and research statewide by providing the world-class computing network essential for innovation, collaboration, and economic growth. Our organization operates the California Research and Education Network (CalREN), a high-capacity computer network with more than 8,000 miles of optical fiber. The network serves over 20 million users across California, including the vast majority of K-20 students, together with educators, researchers, and individuals at other vital public-serving institutions.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Manager of the Program Management Office, the Project Manager plans and sets direction for multiple concurrent projects of varying size, including both small and large-scale projects. This position is responsible for the quality and delivery of CENIC’s service commitments on schedule and within budget, using internal and external resources and following CENIC standard policies and procedures. The Project Manager must lead all phases of the project, from beginning to end, must manage the activities of all internal and external resources on projects and/or service deliverables. In handling this work, the Project Manager may be accountable for coordinating simultaneously with one or more providers of services and/or goods, as well as multiple internal teams.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Manage and lead multiple complex projects ranging in size from small to large, through project initiation to close.

Effectively manage multiple competing projects and shifting priorities.

Accountable for day-to-day project support for multiple small to large-sized project plans and teams working on the various work areas identified.

Effectively communicate project status to, and manage expectations of, team members and stakeholders in a timely and clear fashion.

Review project team deliverables to ensure quality and adherence to internal standards.

Develop strong relationships with customers to understand their needs, to anticipate obstacles to success, and to advocate internally on their behalf.

Regularly track projects, manage project risks and the impact of changes, provide mitigation plans, and proactively manage escalation of issues to appropriate stakeholders.

Run ad hoc reports and develop standard reports in order to establish metrics for teams and to ensure performance against metrics is tracked, measured, and socialized on a regular basis.

Analyze trends and consolidate data/information for review with primary stakeholders to drive data-based decisions.

Work collaboratively with all teams to ensure workload is appropriately assigned, and resource constraints are identified.

Develop, refine, and maintain cross‑departmental workflows, leveraging automation to eliminate operational bottlenecks and drive measurable efficiencies across the organization.

Provide feedback and make recommendations to management on process improvements, technology, training requirements, etc.

Develop and maintain a productive relationship with CENIC associates, providers of goods and services, and industry partners.

Work closely with the CENIC Security Team to identify, discuss, and implement software tools and solutions in support of CENIC’s networks, network security designs, and implementations of network security policies, procedures, and technologies.

Other duties as assigned.

KEY SUCCESS FACTORS:

Experience with project management principles

Experience with vendor management

Excellent interpersonal and team-building skills, with a strong ability to influence others.

Ability to work cross-functionally for deliverables across multiple workgroups.

Demonstrably solid analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to use data effectively to drive recommendations.

Strong presentation skills and excellent oral and written communication skills.

Ability to work well in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.

Ability to consider, understand, and prioritize security (and privacy, where applicable) principles, practices, and procedures in all aspects of your role with CENIC.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree preferred and 4 - 6 years of; relevant work experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Project management certification preferred.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Proven experience managing multiple projects through their entire life cycle.

Experience in a high‑tech environment and/or managing technical projects.

Telecommunications industry experience preferred.

Experience in a university/research environment.

Professional Services Implementation experience preferred.

WORK HOURS:

The regular workweek is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Ability to work evenings and weekends for problem resolutions, upgrades, etc., based on CENIC’s business demands.

WORK AUTHORIZATION:

Documented Proof of identity and legal eligibility to work in the United States.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

CENIC does not offer STEM OPT training opportunities and cannot complete Form I-983.

WHY WORK AT CENIC?

• Company Culture: Small teams and a collaborative environment provide the opportunity to make a large impact in a small organization.
• Community Engagement: We work with research and education institutions in the largest state economy in the United States. Your work has meaning.
• Generous Health Benefit Package : We value our employees' wellness. We offer a variety of medical, dental, and vision benefits. . We have you covered with life, short-term, and long‑term insurance. We also offer pet insurance at a discount.
• Paid Time Off: We offer liberal vacation, sick leave, and 15 paid holidays.
• Investment in Your Future: CENIC contributes to your 403(b) even if you don't. We also offer matching contributions. Pre-tax and Roth options are also available.

CENIC is an equal opportunity employer – Vets/disabled