Human Resources Project Manager

One of CEI's largest Retail clients is seeking a Project Manager to join their growing organization!

Client/Industry: Retail / Consumer Goods

Job Title: Project Manager – HR Tech

Location: Remote (Preference for candidates local to Cincinnati, OH) | EST Time Zone

Work Schedule/Shift: Mon-Fri Standard EST business hours | Minimum 40 work hours per week.

Duration/Length of Assignment: 5-Month Contract (through January 2026, may extend into February)

Additional Information: This role is contingent and will not convert to FTE. Some travel may be required depending on candidate location. Interview process involves prescreening assessment with automated set of 5 questions and a game

*Must be able to convert to a full-time employee without sponsorship, restrictions, or an additional employer*

• W2 Employment Only – No Corp to Corp / C2C arrangements.
• Expected potential for contract extension(s) and/or conversion to Full-Time/Permanent Employment.
• Optional benefits available during contract (Medical, Dental, Vision, and 401k)

Position Overview:

This role supports a strategic transition initiative to integrate approximately 250 associates into a unified benefits and HR systems platform. The project is part of a broader effort to establish consistency and standardization across business units, leveraging efficiencies in administration, technology, and the overall associate experience. The project manager will work within a cross-functional environment that includes collaboration with product managers, business teams, engineering resources, and external vendors. Reporting will be directly aligned with executive stakeholders, ensuring progress visibility and delivery oversight. The individual selected for this role will oversee the execution of project deliverables, aligning milestones, tracking risks, and ensuring technical and operational readiness for the January 1, 2026 rollout. The role requires close coordination with a major consulting partner leading the conversion and frequent communication with leadership to provide clarity, manage dependencies, and adjust strategies where necessary.

Required Skills/Experience/Qualifications:

• Experience leading software development and system implementations, preferably within HR or benefits environments
• Proven background coordinating with large external vendors/partners (examples include Deloitte, BCG, IBM)
• Strong executive-level communication skills, including stakeholder visibility, risk management, and program tracking
• Skilled in creating, maintaining, and aligning project plans
• Ability to document issues, risks, and decisions while driving resolution and escalations
• Self-starting with the ability to proactively reach out to teams and manage multiple moving parts simultaneously

Preferred Skills (Not Required):

• Prior project management experience in retail or consumer goods industries
• Familiarity with large-scale HR technology systems integration
• Previous collaboration experience with cross-functional enterprise-level teams

Day to Day/Responsibilities:

• Lead the integration of Murray’s Cheese associates into standardized benefit plan offerings effective January 1, 2026
• Manage project execution through structured project plans, ensuring alignment with technical and business requirements
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including product managers, business teams, and engineering teams, to track dependencies and delivery milestones
• Partner closely with Deloitte, who is leading the system conversion, ensuring smooth collaboration and timely execution
• Document and manage issues, risks, and decisions, driving mitigation strategies and escalation where necessary
• Provide consistent executive-level communication through stakeholder updates, highlighting progress, dependencies, risks, and readiness for rollout
• Monitor program progress and implement plan adjustments based on stakeholder alignment and evolving project needs
• Create and deliver reporting to highlight project health, risks, and readiness for delivery, ensuring transparency to leadership and project sponsors
• Foster collaboration and synergy across stakeholders by encouraging alignment, clarity in delivery, and consistent engagement across all involved groups
• Track and manage multiple streams of work with proactive outreach to ensure all moving parts remain on schedule for successful delivery