R&D Project Manager I

Vertafore; Pulaski (TN); On-site; USD 27,552 - 34,440; Full time

Job summary

Vertafore in Pulaski, TN is seeking a detail‑oriented project coordinator to help plan and execute software delivery initiatives. You’ll coordinate meetings, manage scope, timelines, milestones, and maintain visibility across stakeholders.

You’ll collaborate with Engineering, QA and Content Analysts, use Agile/SAFe practices, and apply data‑driven thinking to improve processes, including AI tools, while balancing priorities and communicating risks.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years of experience in project coordination, operations, or related field.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Located and working from an office location in the United States.
• Travel up to 10%.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate and coordinate internal and external project meetings, ensuring alignment across stakeholders.
• Support the creation and execution of project plans, including scope, requirements, timelines, and milestones.
• Track and manage project progress using project management tools to maintain visibility and accountability.
• Partner with cross‑functional teams (Engineering, QA, Content Analysts) to ensure timely delivery of solutions into production.
• Communicate project updates clearly and concisely to stakeholders, escalating risks or issues as needed.
• Balance multiple tasks and priorities while maintaining strong time‑management discipline.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and efficiency within projects.
• Develop working knowledge of products, workflows, and customer needs within the business domain.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Critical thinking

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Project management tools

APIs/JSON/XML basics

Job description

$21.64 / hour

The insurance industry runs on Vertafore. We equip agencies, MGAs, and carriers with the core digital systems, specialized AI, and data-driven foundation to eliminate distribution drag across the insurance lifecycle, spanning sales, servicing, and back‑office operations.

What You’ll Do

• Facilitate and coordinate internal and external project meetings, ensuring alignment across stakeholders
• Support the creation and execution of project plans, including scope, requirements, timelines, and milestones
• Track and manage project progress using project management tools to maintain visibility and accountability
• Partner with cross‑functional teams (Engineering, QA, Content Analysts) to ensure timely delivery of solutions into production
• Communicate project updates clearly and concisely to stakeholders, escalating risks or issues as needed
• Balance multiple tasks and priorities while maintaining strong time‑management discipline
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and efficiency within projects
• Develop working knowledge of products, workflows, and customer needs within the business domain

Key Competencies

Project Management Acumen

• Applies foundational project management principles to support delivery success
• Understands project lifecycle basics and contributes to milestone execution

Communication & Relationship Management

• Demonstrates strong verbal and written communication skills, conveying information clearly and effectively to both technical and non‑technical audiences
• Builds collaborative relationships across teams and stakeholders through active listening, clarity, and responsiveness

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

• Identifies issues early and knows when to elevate
• Uses data and trends to improve project outcomes

Adaptability, Initiative & Change Management

• Demonstrates flexibility and resilience in changing environments, effectively adapting to evolving priorities
• Applies change management principles to support adoption, navigate ambiguity, and drive successful outcomes
• Brings a forward‑thinking mindset, proactively identifying opportunities to improve processes and leverage new technologies, including AI

What You’ll Gain

• Hands‑on experience managing projects in a software development environment
• Exposure to modern delivery practices including Agile/SAFe frameworks
• Opportunities for mentorship and career progression along a defined project management career path
• Experience working directly with customers, partners, and cross‑functional technical teams

Core Qualifications

• 2-3 years of experience in a professional environment (project coordination, operations, or related field)
• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities
• Effective verbal and written communication skills

Preferred Experience

• Exposure to project management methodologies (Agile, SAFe, Scrum, or Waterfall)
• Experience working in the software or insurance industry
• Exposure to APIs, data formats (JSON/XML), or system integrations is a plus
• Experience coordinating cross‑functional teams in a technical environment preferred
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint) for communication, reporting, and organization
• Familiarity with project management and work tracking tools used to manage tasks, timelines, and team collaboration
• Comfort working with or learning AI tools and capabilities to enhance productivity and decision‑making

Additional Requirements And Details

• Travel required up to 10% of the time.
• Located and working from an office location.
• Occasional lifting and/or moving up to 10 pounds.
• Frequent repetitive hand and arm movements required to operate a computer.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision (working on a computer, etc.).
• Frequent sitting and/or standing.

The selected candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Vertafore is a drug‑free workplace and conducts preemployment drug and background screenings.

We do not accept resumes from agencies, headhunters, or other suppliers who have not signed a formal agreement with us.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the job responsibilities, duties, skills, or working conditions. In addition, this document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an \"at will\" relationship.

Vertafore strongly supports equal employment opportunity for all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.