Job Opportunity for Senior Project Manager at Purpose in Delhi, Mumbai

ABOUT PURPOSE

Purpose builds and supports movements to advance the fight for an open, just, and habitable world. We use public mobilization and storytelling to help leading organizations, activists, businesses, and philanthropies engaged in this fight, and we create campaigning labs and new initiatives that can shift policies and change public narratives when it matters most.

To do this, Purpose brings together world-class talent from the world of creatives, campaigning and political strategy to build new creative campaigning models. Guided by smart political strategy and powered by new technologies for participation, our work reframes issues, engages new audiences, shifts public discourse, and ultimately drives targeted action that shifts decision-makers and creates lasting impact. Our work is recognised widely both in creative industry awards like Cannes Lions and in social impact awards like Anthem. Join the team that made all this work.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Senior Project Manager at Purpose, you will be the focal person to drive robust project operations of multiple campaigns at Purpose with the overall objective of successful delivery of our work, while keeping Purpose accountable and disciplined internally. In a specific project context, this role works closely with project leadership.. 

As the most senior Project Manager in India, you will also be responsible for program management, professional development management of fellow PM’s in the project management functional team and locally leading the PM function in India. 

You will report to the Head of Office (HoO) at Purpose India. This role is offered at the Manager tier and we are open to candidates based in either Mumbai or Delhi. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Management – As a Project Manager, you will lead end-to-end management of multiple and diverse projects. 

Your core responsibilities will be to:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for overall project operations and specific tactical operations on the project within Purpose, from funders and clients to vendors and freelancers.
• Create and operationalise project management tools such as work plans, team roles and responsibilities, project trackers and checklists, budgets, liaise with the Purpose IML team on setting up project monitoring and evaluation frameworks; hold delivery teams (i.e. strategy, campaigns, creative, impact, monitoring and learning (IML), contractors, service vendors) accountable to project plans, timeline, key deliverables and milestones.
• In close coordination with the finance and staffing lead, develop and regularly track project budgets and staffing plans for consistency, relevance  and accuracy using internal project management tools. 
• Set up an internal and external project communications process. This includes project check-in meetings at different stages of a project life cycle (kick-off, mid-point reflections, project close/wrap up, regular weekly/monthly coordination), regular update calls for internal team alignment and with the funder/partner/client and tracking project progress, facilitate problem identification and solving and strategic conversations. 
• Facilitate critical inter-stakeholder project communication and relationship building through identification of stakeholders and attendees for recurring and ad-hoc discussions; capture meeting notes and escalate communications (as needed) between funder/client, partner organisation(s) and Purpose teams to align on expectations, roles, goals, and solutions for roadblocks.
• Deliver project status updates to internal teams and funders/clients jointly with the Project Lead(s).
• Lead on and coordinate internal and external reporting processes
• Own the overall project management with the Project Lead, Finance team and other relevant colleagues in the Purpose management structure
• Proactively share project learnings within larger teams for cross-project synergies and collaboration
• Contribute to long-term programmatic and strategic planning for sustainability, impact and portfolio expansion

Internal Operations – In addition to project work, you will help keep the internal operational wheels of Purpose turning by:

• Gathering and summarizing key takeaways for Project Dashboards (to share insights on project’s team/client/financial health) that inform our Executive team
• Working closely with our Finance team to confirm the accuracy and schedule of invoices (clients/funders, freelancers, and vendors).
• Working closely with Staffing Manager to identify and act on staffing analysis and trends
• Working closely with the Purpose IML (MEL) team to set up project monitoring frameworks, develop and operationalise tools and ensure impact measurement and documentation takes place in a timely manner.

As a Functional Lead you will  –

• Lead the project management function in India – including team management as well as functional responsibilities for operational efficiency, role definition and evolution, inter-functional coordination and contribution to the leadership team. 
• Plan for & facilitate local functional meetings with the team of PMs in India
• Represent project management function in global functional leads meetings for cross-geographical learning, sharing and overall collaboration
• Contribute to the development of new functional processes with contextual inputs and experience
• Be the liaison person between global and India project management team for any functional communication, updates and initiatives
• As the Project Management lead, take initiative to lead inter-functional coordination and initiative between Project management, People, Culture & Operations (PCO) and Finance
• Work with HoO & PCO Lead to plan the Local PM team Hiring, Staffing, and Onboarding
  Program management for the Purpose Climate Lab (PCL) India operations, working closely with the HoO and the PCL program manager on the coordination of the PCL India portfolio and all related operational/project management aspects, as well as communication between the PCL global level and the PCL India team 
• Play the role of a Professional Development Manager to other PM’s in your functional team and mentor/guide them in their professional journey at Purpose 

We think you will be a successful candidate if you demonstrate

• 7 years of work experience in a fast-paced, agency environment (i.e. professional services, creative agencies, consulting) or advocacy environment, demonstrating a consistent ability to deliver against project plans on time and on budget.
• Ability to be diplomatic and solutions-oriented under stress; demonstrate impeccable communication skills (written/verbal) and interpersonal skills (listening/empathy)
• Excellent track record of time management, systems organization, and follow-up
• Agility and flexibility towards evolving responsibilities and last minute project changes
• A confident facilitator to coordinate discussions between multiple internal stakeholders (such as an interdisciplinary team of different specialists across different geographies)
• Collaborative and inclusive about working with global teams that are from diverse backgrounds, as well as the ability to take initiative and work with minimal supervision
• Critical thinker, have high integrity, a team player with hands-on attitude, and a passionate problem-solving spirit
• Proficiency in creating spreadsheets and using word-processing programs (primarily in Google Suites)

We think you will be an exceptional candidate if you have:

• A demonstrated track record in social sector organizing and advocacy
• Committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment
• Purpose takes on some of the biggest challenges in the world, which affect people of different identities and backgrounds in different ways. We are stronger and most effective with a diverse team leading the charge and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome the unique contributions that individuals bring in terms of their education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs