Project Planner (Local)

As a Project Planner, my objective is:
To manage projects and resource allocation between the initial start of a project to final delivery, facilitate scoping conversations to create estimates and schedules, manage budgets and uphold processes as they relate to financial and workflow management.
This is a Local Hybrid position. Hybrid means this role requires you to be in the Peoria, IL office Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday with the option to work from home Monday and Friday.
The outcomes I need to produce for clients are:

• Manage all aspects of workflow efficiency to ensure projects are completed on time
• Provide financial management on assigned accounts, including creation of project estimates and statements of work as well as on-going management of billing actions and budgets

The outcomes I need to produce for the agency are:

• Supporting regular communication around estimating and budgets, implementing adjustments to project quotes and resources as needed to keep projects within budget
• Resolving workflow or budgeting issues that directly impact the bottom line, including engaging with both internal teams and clients as needed
• Organizing effective start-up and scoping workshops by acting as a key facilitator for the teams’ alignment to achieve project efficiency
• Managing tasks, timelines, and deliverables for multiple projects concurrently, with specific focus on dependencies and deadlines and future planning on what’s to come to help ensure agency resources are adequately utilized
• Proactively support balanced workloads of resources by collaborating within the department, running traffic meetings or 1:1 resource discussion as needed

To produce these outcomes, I need to:

• Set and understand full estimates and scopes for each project
• Effectively kick-off each project with completed budgets, scopes, schedules, and resource allocations
• Be a diligent note-taker and own the responsibility of multiple forms of detailed documentation and file organization
• Clearly and effectively communicate details, priorities, and expectations in a team environment
• Successfully own the quality and efficiency of each project, while driving forward to meet deadlines
• Manage the overall financial health of each project including estimating, budget management and invoicing
• Facilitate effective meetings

The skills and abilities I require are:

• 4-year college or university degree or equivalent experience in marketing or business (or similar concentration)
• Previous agency experience (or other related environment) in project management (considered a plus)
• Agile experience and/or three years of experience (considered a plus)
• A focus on details with an interest in managing multi-faceted projects with similar deadlines
• Willingness to build relationships with all team members and take initiative to have honest conversations to move a project forward
• Strong facilitation skills with the ability to probe for key project details that will impact scope or timing
• Organization, detailed documentation, and file management
• Ability to multi-task, manage and prioritize projects for multiple clients at the same time

To produce these outcomes, I have decision-making authority over the following:

• When to send materials through proper approval processes required by the agency and the clients
• Budget concerns and when to elevate them to the Account Planner or Executive Director team to have proper discussions regarding the impact to the bottom line 
• Daily schedules and timelines aligned to project budget and deadlines
• Prioritization of work for assigned resources

Leading indicators of my success are:

• Ability to build effective and impactful relationships with clients and internal teams
• Demonstrating forward thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Confidence to ask questions, identify gaps/issues and be assertive when necessary
• Effective communication and ability to manage multiple projects/clients
• Solid understanding of current state and future deadlines for all projects
• Management and knowledge of project statuses and proactively determine how delays or future plans may impact agency resources

Long-term indicators of my success are:

• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead project scoping and estimating initiatives
• Completion of detailed, accurate statements of work developed with an understanding of the financial aspects of each project
• Proactive resource and financial management
• Demonstrated understanding of billing terms and how billing actions impact the agency’s bottom line
• Providing mentorship and guiding new Project Planners

PLEASE NOTE: Interviews will start being scheduled in January 2025.

By applying to Simantel and uploading your resume, you are opting-in to receive communications from Simantel regarding your application.
Simantel offers an attractive compensation package, which includes competitive salary, 401(k) plan, PTO, flexible work arrangements, holiday pay and a comprehensive benefits program.
We are an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We encourage anyone interested to apply and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
Simantel is not currently hiring individuals for this position who require sponsorship under U.S. immigration laws to be lawfully employed.