Technical Project Manager Data Initiatives (Ops)

Kforce Inc; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Kforce is seeking a Technical Project Manager, Data Initiatives (Ops) to join our Data Solutions team in Chicago, IL. You will drive executive-facing delivery for strategic data initiatives, including reporting, governance, and platform modernization, translating complex work into concise, decision-ready updates for senior leadership.

The role blends strong project management with product-minded practices such as backlog management and prioritization, supporting data platform modernization and

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in project, program, or delivery leadership roles within data, technology, or financial services environments.
• Strong executive communication skills for C-suite decks and updates.
• Solid understanding of Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid delivery models.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of data initiatives with milestones, risks, and dependencies clearly tracked.
• Partner with business stakeholders to gather requirements and ensure solutions meet business needs.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with technology, business, risk, compliance, and operations teams to ensure alignment and delivery.
• Support adoption and change management through clear documentation and communications.
• Produce concise executive updates highlighting progress, risks, tradeoffs, and decisions.

Skills

Executive communication

Agile

Waterfall

Hybrid delivery

Jira

Excel

PowerPoint

SharePoint

Cross-functional leadership

Data initiatives

Education

Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Engineering, or Computer Science

Tools

Semarchy

PowerBI

SQL

Snowflake

Jira

Job description

A client with Kforce is seeking a Technical Project Manager, Data Initiatives (Ops) to join their team in Chicago, IL. Summary: We are seeking an experienced Technical Project Manager to join our Data Solutions team, with a strong focus on executive-facing delivery and strategic data initiatives. This role is designed for someone who can step in quickly, operate independently, and bring clarity to complex, cross‑functional data programs. You will support data initiatives spanning reporting, governance, and platform modernization, while translating complex work into concise, decision‑ready updates for senior leadership. The role blends strong project management fundamentals and with product‑oriented practices such as backlog management, prioritization, and value delivery. This role is especially critical for data platform modernization and data warehouse decommissioning efforts, where sequencing, risk articulation, and executive alignment are essential. The role will also support initiatives involving MDM and investment data platforms, where understanding how gold‑source data supports downstream reporting and decision‑making is key. The ideal candidate is experienced, detail‑oriented, comfortable in ambiguity, and trusted to -fly above the noise- while staying grounded in execution. CST/EST time zone alignment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of data initiatives, ensuring milestones, risks, and dependencies are clearly tracked and communicated
• Partner with business stakeholders to gather requirements, document processes, and ensure solutions meet business needs
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with technology, business, risk, compliance, and operations teams to ensure alignment and successful delivery
• Support adoption and change management through clear documentation and communications
• Produce clear, concise executive updates highlighting progress, risks, tradeoffs, and decisions

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience in project, program, or delivery leadership roles within data, technology, or financial services environments, preferably in financial services or data‑driven environments
• Exceptional executive communication skills, with demonstrated ability to write clear, concise decks and summaries for C‑suite audiences
• Strong understanding of Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid delivery models, with the judgment to apply the right approach based on context
• Proven ability to work independently and cross‑functionally in complex environments
• Strong proficiency in Jira, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint

Nice To Have

• Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Engineering, or Computer Science
• Exposure to master data management (MDM) concepts and platforms
• Semarchy experience preferred
• Experience with data warehouse migration or decommissioning initiatives
• Familiarity with reporting or analytics tools such as PowerBI, SQL, or Snowflake
• Exposure to private equity, asset management, fund accounting, or portfolio data
• Experience supporting data foundation initiatives (such as cloud migration, conceptual data models, data dictionaries, or reporting frameworks)
• Abe to write and manage Jira stories and backlogs; Support sprint planning and Agile ceremonies
• Proven ability to work independently, collaborate, and drive results and accountability across teams and in an ambiguous environment
• Fast and responsive, deadline driven
• Demonstrate decisiveness in resolving business problems, making decisions and identifying priorities
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently
• Detail oriented with excellent follow‑through skills
• Ability to prioritize, plan, and organize work and deliverables
• Influential, focused, and versatile team player comfortable under pressure

The pay range is the lowest to highest compensation we reasonably in good faith believe we would pay at posting for this role. We may ultimately pay more or less than this range. Employee pay is based on factors like relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, location, performance, union contract and business needs. This range may be modified in the future.

We offer comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, HSA, FSA, 401(k), and life, disability & ADD insurance to eligible employees. Salaried personnel receive paid time off. Hourly employees are not eligible for paid time off unless required by law. Hourly employees on a Service Contract Act project are eligible for paid sick leave.

Note: Pay is not considered compensation until it is earned, vested and determinable. The amount and availability of any compensation remains in Kforce's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified in its discretion consistent with the law.

This job is not eligible for bonuses, incentives or commissions.

Kforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.