Project Manager II

We’re looking to grow our PMO Team at NLS! Are you ready to take the next step in your project management career? As a Project Manager II, you'll play an important role in delivering successful projects while collaborating with clients, internal teams, and external partners. You'll have the opportunity to independently lead small projects, strengthen your leadership skills, and contribute to solutions that make a real impact in the insurance technology industry. In this role, you'll manage projects from planning through execution, helping teams stay aligned on scope, schedules, budgets, and deliverables. You'll work closely with project stakeholders, facilitate Agile ceremonies, resolve challenges, and help keep projects moving forward. If you're organized, proactive, and enjoy working in a collaborative environment, this is an excellent opportunity to continue growing your project management career at NLS. We know you care about benefits and perks—feel free to scroll down to check them out, then come back to learn more about the role! What You'll Do: Engage with clients and internal stakeholders to understand project needs, ask thoughtful questions, and deliver high-quality work while leveraging available tools and technology, including AI, to improve efficiency and accuracy. Lead, mentor, and coach project teams of 10–15 resources. Oversee project planning efforts to determine requirements and specifications, project scope, staffing needs, scheduling, risks, issues, and contingency plans. Manage day-to-day project activities including project tasks, daily stand-ups, team communications, task tracking, scope and schedule mitigation, risk management, and roadblock resolution. Create and regularly monitor project schedules, scope, budgets, risks/issues, and action items while implementing corrective actions to keep projects on schedule and within budget. Facilitate daily stand-up meetings, documenting team updates, blockers, and action items while ensuring effective communication across the team. Create and facilitate project meetings focused on status reporting, problem resolution, feedback, and fostering open communication throughout project planning and execution. Lead the issue resolution process and help drive issues through completion. Create and communicate project schedule, budget, and delivery updates to project stakeholders. Maintain and distribute project management deliverables including status reports, meeting minutes, issue logs, and other project documentation. Facilitate weekly project status meetings with project leads and stakeholders, including preparing PowerPoint status reports, documenting meeting notes, and tracking action items. Prepare for and help facilitate stakeholder meetings with NLS leadership and customer stakeholders. Participate in Duck Creek partner program meetings by communicating project status, risks, and reference status. Drive creative approaches to problem-solving while supporting timely project delivery. Coordinate, facilitate, and document sprint, milestone, and project reviews while implementing best practices. Facilitate the 360 feedback process for project resource evaluations during annual reviews. Support project closure activities, including decommissioning project resources, removing project distribution lists, and completing project closure documentation. Assist with interviewing and onboarding new Project Managers. Support other Project Managers and the Director of Project Management as needed. What You'll Bring: Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Business, Computer Information Systems, Insurance and Risk Management, or a related field. 1–5 years of experience managing technical projects or experience within the insurance industry. Experience managing small projects with teams of 10–15 or more resources; Agile project experience preferred. Certification in at least one Project Management-related area preferred (CSM, ACP, PMP, or equivalent). Experience managing project budgets and schedules. Experience creating, tracking, managing, and reporting project budgets. Experience creating, tracking, managing, and reporting project schedules. Experience managing and controlling project scope. Experience participating on Agile project teams using Scrum methodology preferred. Ability to independently lead customer-facing meetings. Strong presentation skills with exceptional organization and attention to detail. Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 products, including Microsoft Project, JIRA, ADO, or other project management software. Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Strong customer service skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams. High attention to detail and organizational skills. Highest degree of honesty and integrity. Team player with a servant leadership mindset. Results-oriented with a proactive approach and commitment to continuous improvement. Why Join NLS? Bring your authentic self to the Next Level Solutions team! Go-getter. Learner. Team-oriented. At NLS, our culture is what sets us apart. We work hard, support each other, and genuinely enjoy what we do. Knowledge sharing is at the core of how we grow—both as individuals and as a company. Our mission is simple: "Do Good Work" for our clients, our employees, and our communities. As we continue to grow, we're investing in our people by providing opportunities to advance your career, expand your skills, and make a meaningful impact. Whether you're looking for flexibility, career growth, or a collaborative team environment—you'll find it here. The Benefits & Perks: Competitive salary package with annual bonus Comprehensive and inclusive health benefits Flexible work arrangements Opportunities for career growth and internal advancement Relaxed office environment with casual dress code Company-sponsored activities and team-building events PTO and paid company holidays Traditional & Roth 401(k) with a 5% company match Physical and mental wellness programs Additional Details: Full-time position, typically Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM local time. Flexibility to work outside standard business hours as needed. Work from our office location in Springfield, MO. Ability to travel as needed. #J-18808-Ljbffr