First American Bank was founded in Chicago, and over the years has expanded throughout Wisconsin and Florida. As the largest privately held bank in Illinois, we now have over 60 locations and assets of $5+ billion.  We are a community bank at heart with international expertise, traditional values, and a forward-looking philosophy. Our employees have the experience and vision to meet the needs of savers, borrowers, and businesses in the 21st century. First American Bank can offer employees a level of visibility, career growth, and stability that is difficult to find in many larger corporations.

The Product Development Project Manager is responsible for defining, planning, managing, and monitoring product development and service delivery projects. This individual will deliver high-quality products and services that meet business and technical requirements by adhering to established project standards and methodologies. Ensuring excellence in project execution, the incumbent drives projects to successful completion, aligning outcomes with organizational goals.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage project tasks for each project team member to drive the execution of prioritized projects to successfully deliver project tasks to time, quality and budget.
• Work with Project Sponsors, Stakeholders, other Project Team Members, and Vendors to create or oversee the creation of project deliverables, including project scope, business and functional requirements, project plans, test plans, and other project related documents.
• Gather and document project requirements for use either internally or by external vendor.
• Facilitate project status/steering meetings and communicate with internal departments, senior leadership and project stakeholders.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of initiative status, issues, risks and required decisions to relevant personnel and provide management reports when necessary.
• Negotiate appropriate resources from relevant business units and within the department to successfully deliver project objectives.
• Coordinate, respond and effect where agreed, request for changes from original requirements or specifications.
• Escalate, communicate and take prompt actions where there is slippage against the plan of project activity.
• Assist in defining and maintaining project management deliverable templates to be used for all projects within the department.
• Help the department make incremental improvements in the quality of the service and enhance the professional functioning of the department.
• Prepare agendas and detailed meeting minutes to ensure clear communication and effective documentation of discussions and decisions. Schedule follow up meetings when necessary.
• Monitor and update project tasks and deliverables using MS Project or other identified project tools and adhere to project standards, including change control, risk control, user acceptance testing and technology procedures.
• Work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Escalate project issues, risks, and roadblocks, as well as create mitigation and action plans.
• Organize user acceptance testing events with relevant business personnel. Ensure feedback from user testing is managed and addressed accordingly.
• Conduct group presentations and meetings as needed.
• Conduct and complete additional assignments/projects as designated by management.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or higher required. Degree in business, computer science, or related field preferred.
• PMP certification a plus.
• Minimum three years of project management experience required.
• Experience working in a banking or technology environment preferred.
• Must possess the ability to work independently, handle multiple tasks, work well under time constraints with limited supervision while utilizing critical thinking skills.
• Must be professional, comfortable speaking with external and internal contacts with a demonstrated ability to tailor the message appropriately to the audience and situation effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to convey thoughts and ideas effectively and succinctly via written formats, including emails, letters, and electronic platforms. Maintain professional standards relating to spelling and grammar.
• Maintain credibility through professional demeanor, appearance, and presence by modeling standards appropriate to our environment and industry.
• Maintain good working relationships with internal partners by exhibiting exemplary interpersonal skills, adopting a constructive, solutions-focused approach.
• Use sound professional judgment to balance the interests of the organization and customer, understanding and using available resources to mitigate risks.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 products and applications, including the ability to effectively prepare or review documents, procedures, and reports.
• Experience using Microsoft Project, Visio, and Smartsheet is required.
• Experience using and updating SharePoint sites is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new systems and applications, as well as the ability to understand, adapt and adjust responsibilities/workflows as a result of system upgrades.
• Occasional travel to other First American Bank locations, Bank functions, and training facilities may be required.
• Some travel to outside locations for project development meetings, vendor meetings, or training may be required.
• Typical schedule is Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Additional hours may be required depending upon business need for project deployments.
• Punctuality is required to maintain First American Bank’s customer service standards.