Senior Project Manager

Senior Project Manager

Crisis Connections is a Seattle-based non-profit organization that serves as a vital safety net for individuals facing mental health challenges, emotional distress, or basic needs emergencies across Washington State. Founded in 1964 (formerly known as the Crisis Clinic), the organization operates over 10 interconnected programs designed to offer whole-person, compassionate care.

Key Job Duties and Responsibilities

Project Management

• Define project scope, establish milestones, break down work tasks, and build realistic timelines.
• Collaborate with internal and external subject matter experts to map out staffing, processes, technology, training, and budget needs, and build timelines that are realistic.
• Proactively identify regulatory, financial, or operational risks and build contingency plans.
• Ensure project team members coordinate with funders, contract partners, and government agencies to meet launch requirements and deadlines.
• Assess current workflows, identify gaps, and recommend practical changes.
• Build change management and communication plans so staff, volunteers, funders and partners understand what is changing, why, and how it affects them.
• Guide new programs from idea to launch, including planning, design, testing, rollout, and early review.
• Work with program leaders to set clear goals, success measures, and reporting needs.
• Make sure new services meet contract, regulatory, and quality standards before going live.
• Lead projects within the operations team, such as technology upgrades, process improvements, facilities, and policy updates.
• Document new processes and make sure they are adopted and followed.

Project Portfolio Management

• Keep an organization-wide view of active and upcoming projects, including priorities, timelines, and resources.
• Help the CEO and leadership team weigh tradeoffs and decide what moves forward and when.
• Spot risks early, raise them clearly, and propose solutions.
• Build and maintain simple, consistent project management tools and practices that others can use.

Communication and Reporting

Provide regular, clear status updates to the CEO and leadership team. Lead project meetings that are focused, productive and inclusive of all perspectives. Prepare reports and presentations for the board, funders, and partners as needed. Build strong working relationships across teams and with outside partners.

Qualification and Skills

Required, Must-Have Skills:

• 7 or more years of project management experience, including at least 3 years leading complex, cross-functional projects.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or similar certification.
• Proven track record launching or expanding programs, or leading organizational change.
• Experience managing several projects at once with competing priorities.
• Strong skills in planning, budgeting, risk management, and tracking progress.
• Clear, plain-language writing and speaking skills, with experience presenting to senior leaders.
• Comfort with project management tools (such as Asana, Monday.com, Smartsheet, or Microsoft Project) and Microsoft 365 Workspace.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred, Nice-to-Have Skills:

• Experience in a nonprofit, human services, behavioral health, or crisis services setting.
• Experience with government contracts or publicly funded programs.
• Change management training or certification (such as Prosci).
• Experience in a 24/7 or contact center environment.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Thinking: Connects day-to-day project work to the organization's mission and long-term goals.
• Organization and Follow-Through: Keeps many moving pieces on track and closes the loop.
• Leading Without Authority: Builds trust and gets results from teams that do not report to them.
• Change Leadership: Helps people understand and adapt to change with empathy and clarity.
• Problem Solving: Calm under pressure, practical, and focused on solutions.
• Equity and Inclusion: Considers how decisions affect diverse staff and the communities we serve.
• Honest Communication: Raises concerns early and gives candid, useful updates.

Working Conditions

• Standard business hours, with occasional evening or weekend work during launches or major transitions.
• Some travel within Washington State to program sites, partners, and meetings.
• Office-based work, including long periods at a computer.

Compensation and Benefits

• We are dedicated to supporting our employees by offering excellent benefits and career progression opportunities.
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage including an 100% employer paid option for certain plans and coverage tiers.
• Annual wage increases
• Generous Paid Time Off & 12 Paid Holidays
• Discount on ORCA transit pass
• Free Parking & Flexible Schedules
• Growth opportunities
• Self-care tools & weekly check ins with your supervisor

Voluntary Benefits

• Short-term and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 403B Retirement Plan

Offer of Employment

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check including a Criminal History Report and Reference Check.

Disclaimer

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, or to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job. As an adaptive organization, responsibilities can and will change in alignment with greater efficiencies and mission metrics.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Crisis Connections is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and welcome applicants of all backgrounds, including people with lived experience of the challenges our help seekers face. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status. We provide reasonable accommodations in the hiring process upon request.