Project Manager, Associate - New Grad

Ciena is a global leader in high-speed connectivity that prioritizes a people-first approach. The Associate Project Manager will support the delivery and management of Professional Services projects, ensuring they meet quality, time, and cost constraints.

Responsibilities

• Support the Responsibilities of the Project Management (PMO) team to lead, oversee and ensure successful implementation, delivery and management of customer projects within a Customer Solution
• Ensure PMO target margins are achieved, contributing to accurate revenue recognition, ensuring committed schedules and deliverables are met, and that projects meet Customer’s expectations for quality and service
• Review of PMO Portfolio and help to ensure that Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) are being met
• Identify and schedule project deliverables, milestones, and required activities and tasks
• Assist in coordinating project team activities and support senior PMs in resource planning. Establish work plan and staffing for project activities, iterations or phases, and arrange for assignment of project personnel
• Manage the PMO playbook including ways of working, maintenance of key templates
• Document and communicate project status, obstacles and resolutions to management
• Perform risk assessment and implement mitigation plans
• Project Manager may support pre-sales activities, providing project management subject matter expertise and contributing to Customer proposals and RFP responses, as required
• Interface across Blue Planet teams and Customer Success teams, GTM, Customer Support, and Finance to ensure project deliverables and financial targets are met
• May be required to contribute to process management optimization efforts associated with project management

Skills

• Bachelor's degree in software engineering, business or related field
• Up to 12 months of project management experience (internships, co-ops, or academic projects welcome)
• Strong understanding technology, Professional Services and business acumen
• Strong business judgment and ability to think through complex business issues
• Works collaboratively in matrix environment, with many stakeholders
• Results oriented, Collaborator and Accountable
• Outstanding verbal and written communications
• Eagerness to learn and develop project management skills
• Strong organizational abilities
• Collaborative mindset and willingness to work in a matrix environment
• Customer-focused attitude and attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills
• Experience with Project Management tools e.g. Microsoft Project, Kantata, Excel, PowerPoint, Salesforce, Jira, Confluence
• Knowledge of Software Engineering and software delivery methodologies
• Work experience strongly preferred
• Project management certifications (Prince2, PMP, Scrum) are a plus but not required
• Experience having worked in matrix organization that includes demonstrating strong influencing and collaborative skills across multiple teams

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Participation in 401(K) (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with company matching
• Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Company-paid holidays
• Paid sick leave
• Vacation time
• Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence

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