Project Manager, HR Operations Transformation

Project Manager – HR Operations Transformation
Location: Lake County, IL
Work Model: Hybrid preferred, Remote optional 
Contract Length: 6 months (with potential for extension)
Schedule: 8 hours/day, Monday–Friday
$83-$88/HR based on benefits


Orion Group is partnering with a global pharmaceutical client to support their HR Operations organization during a critical period of transformation and increased workload. With approximately 50% of the team currently on leave, this role is essential to maintaining momentum across strategic initiatives, operational planning, and executive communications.

The Project Manager will work closely with senior leadership, including the VP of HR Operations and their leadership team, to drive alignment, execution, and visibility across multiple concurrent initiatives. This role will have an immediate and meaningful impact on productivity, process efficiency, and cross-functional coordination.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner closely with the VP of HR Operations and leadership team to identify, prioritize, and manage strategic initiatives, projects, and operational activities
• Translate HR Operations strategies into clear, integrated execution plans across multiple functional teams
• Drive coordinated execution across HR Operations functions and the Process Optimization team to ensure alignment with strategic objectives
• Establish and maintain structured processes to support integrated planning, operational execution, and dependency management
• Plan, facilitate, and manage meeting cadences, ensuring agendas, materials, follow-ups, and outcomes remain focused and actionable
• Track project milestones, risks, interdependencies, and deliverables across multiple workstreams
• Partner with Process Optimization to define measurement mechanisms, track efficiencies, and quantify savings from continuous improvement initiatives
• Develop executive-level presentations and communications that clearly articulate progress, risks, and outcomes
• Lead strategic communications in collaboration with HR Communications for initiatives and organizational changes driven by HR Operations

Top Skills & Capabilities

• Project Management: Strong facilitation, organization, tracking, and follow-up skills
• Executive Communication & Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to work across all levels, including VP and senior leadership
• Process-Driven Mindset: Ability to interpret process maps, understand interdependencies, and support operational optimization
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced experience with SharePoint, Smartsheet, Excel, and PowerPoint

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in a business-related field preferred
• Project Management and/or Lean Six Sigma certification preferred
• 5+ years of professional experience in project management within a highly matrixed, multinational organization
• Demonstrated experience leading broad, cross-functional initiatives
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly
• Proven ability to lead and influence without direct authority

Our role in supporting diversity and inclusion

As an international workforce business, we are committed to sourcing personnel that reflects the diversity and values of our client base but also that of Orion Group. We welcome the wide range of experiences and viewpoints that potential workers bring to our business and our clients, including those based on nationality, gender, culture, educational and professional backgrounds, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, and age differences, job classification and religion. In our inclusive workplace, regardless of your employment status as staff or contract, everyone is assured the right of equitable, fair and respectful treatment.