R&D Project Manager I

Vertafore Career Center; Pulaski (TN); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertafore is seeking an R&D Project Manager I to join our team in Pulaski, TN. You will coordinate internal and external meetings, help shape project plans with clear scope, timelines, and milestones, and partner with Engineering, QA, Content Analysts to ensure timely production deployment.

You will manage multiple priorities, communicate updates across stakeholders, and look for process improvements leveraging emerging technologies including AI.

Qualifications

• Experience coordinating software development projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and milestones.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate and coordinate internal and external project meetings across stakeholders.
• Support the creation and execution of project plans with scope, timelines, and milestones.
• Track and manage project progress using PM tools to maintain visibility.
• Partner with Engineering, QA, Content Analysts to deliver solutions into production.
• Communicate updates clearly and escalate risks or issues as needed.
• Balance multiple tasks with strong time management discipline.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and efficiency within projects.
• Develop working knowledge of products and customer needs.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder communication

Risk management

Agile/SAFe

Cross-functional teamwork

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.

Underpinned by unmatched speed and performance power, we are the trusted backbone that’s taking the insurance industry from friction to flow with Distribution Velocity – speed, performance, and trust - to drive growth at scale.

With over 95% of the top agencies and insurers and 50% of industry compliance transactions running through Vertafore, we lead at the intersection of innovation and trust, giving insurance professionals the confidence to transform and win in the AI era.

Our reach is global, with headquarters in Denver, Colorado, and offices across the U.S., Canada, and India.

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented R&D Project Manager I to join our growing team. This role focuses on supporting the delivery of software solutions within a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

The ideal candidate brings strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to coordinate across teams, manage competing priorities, and contribute to successful project outcomes. We are particularly interested in individuals who are forward-thinking and comfortable working with emerging technologies, including AI-driven capabilities.

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