Project Manager, Operations

Role Description

CNO Financial Group is hiring a Project Manager, Operations, who is responsible for leading and managing to outcomes of multiple large complex projects (and/or including smaller projects) simultaneously with a typical budget of up to $2M. The role will have in-depth, specialized expertise in at least two of the following Project Management methodologies – Waterfall, Lean/Six Sigma, Agile, or a Hybrid approach – with a strong knowledge base in all the methodologies, and a keen skill for tailoring multiple methodologies together based on the needs of the respective project. He/she will also be responsible for supporting the Director in coaching and development of his/her team and will use their specialized skills and experience to strengthen the performance of the team overall. This role will drive business value by collaborating across departments to deliver outcomes of multiple large and complex projects with significant business impact.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Core responsibilities and deliverables:

• Manages multiple large, complex, and generally unrelated projects simultaneously, with budgets up to $2M.
• Leads projects using various PPM approaches, including Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid SDLC, with specialized expertise in one or more.
• Defines and refines project scope, budget, objectives, resources, tools, success metrics, and key milestones.
• Conducts planning to set realistic targets for the project team.
• Negotiates and delivers resource commitments across departments and teams.
• Acts as liaison between Consumer Operations PMO (CO-PMO), other PMOs, and the Project Competency Center (PCC).
• Possesses strong understanding of business areas to recommend solutions for complex issues.
• Conducts complex process mapping, recommends and executes process improvements, and manages Agile/sprint-based implementations.
• Develop plans to address complex risks and issues; recommend PMO best practices.
• Reviews quality management methods and plans accordingly.
• Uses creative problem-solving to modify processes and procedures, providing significant input into overall project management for Operations.
• Identifies, recommends, reviews, and approves changes to process documentation, tools, templates, ensuring proper use by CO-PMO team.
• Leads in securing tools and information to enable optimal team performance.
• Works within high authority limits to deliver and execute on resource commitments.
• Manages large internal and external resources with competing demands and cross-functional intersections on large projects.
• Conducts recurring stakeholder analyses to formulate communication and change management plans.
• Ensures successful implementation of projects and processes.
• Recognizes and eliminates process waste.
• Manages closing activities, including final documentation and lessons learned.
• Develops and utilizes governance methodology, tools, and templates as defined by IT-PCC and CO-PMO.
• Overseas, monitors, and develops risk strategies for issues, risks, and action logs.
• Build consensus among competing business goals with strong business knowledge.
• Demonstrates good commercial awareness and understanding of CNO.
• Presents business cases, project updates, and status reports to all impacted levels of the organization.
• Persuades and influences others, especially at senior levels within the function.
• Solves complex problems and plays a significant role in decision making.
• Draws from professional and technical expertise to influence decisions and deliver on strategic goals.
• Provides input to technical consultants for process upgrades, re-builds, or re-designs.
• Mentors, coaches, and trains team members; facilitates training delivery and develops materials.
• May supervise one or two direct reports assisting with project efforts.
• Demonstrates mastery in at least one project management methodology and solid experience with all, including Agile, Lean (PDCA, DMAIC, Kaizen), Six Sigma, Waterfall.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in management operations or 8 years related field or equivalent experience required.
• 7 years’ experience of related experience, with increasing responsibilities.
• Requires one or more of the following certifications and will acquire additional certifications within two years in this role: PMP, Lean, Six Sigma Green Belt, and/or Agile/Scrum Master preferred.
• Solid knowledge of data visualization tools such as Tableau.
• Extensive experience with Innotas/Project Server or similar tools.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office tools, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Visio, and other business-related software.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent 12 years’ experience in related field preferred.
• Advanced knowledge with sales technology tools and processes preferred.
• Strong problem-solving and prioritization abilities with open phones lines.
• The ability to show strong customer service and etiquette over the phone, email and teams’ chat.
• Excellent relationship management and teamwork skills.
• Proficient conflict and issue resolution capabilities.
• Collaborative and partnership-oriented mindset.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated customer focus, including handling escalated issues.
• Exceptional project management skills, able to deliver on large and complex projects simultaneously and adapt quickly to changing or competing priorities.
• Possesses strong verbal and written communication skills for effective interaction with the business, third-party vendors, and managed service providers.
• Demonstrates mastery in at least one project management methodology and solid experience with all, including Agile, Lean (PDCA, DMAIC, Kaizen), Six Sigma, Waterfall, etc.
• Has a good understanding of the insurance industry and is aware of the latest market developments and changes.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Performance-based bonus or sales incentive
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Short-term & long-term disability insurance
• Paid time off and 10 corporate holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Company-paid life insurance
• Mental & Financial Well-Being Resources

Company Description

CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: CNO) is a leading insurance and financial services company focused on securing the future of middle‑income America. Through brands such as Bankers Life, Colonial Penn, Optavise, and Washington National, CNO delivers life and health insurance, annuities, financial services, and workforce benefits to more than 3.3 million policyholders, supported by $38.3 billion in total assets.

With a strong financial foundation, national presence, and a culture rooted in integrity, excellence, and people‑first values, CNO offers meaningful opportunities for professional growth and impact across its U.S. locations, including its headquarters in Carmel, Indiana.