Project Manager (Apps & Shopify)

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day website project execution, with direction and oversight from Director
• Develop and manage project schedules, budgets, task estimates and sprints
• Work with project team to create and maintain project roadmaps and requirements documentation
• Run JIRA ticketing system for assigned projects, manage the coordination of sprints, QA and deployment activities
• Oversee internal QA testing process across team members, cross-checking deliverables for accuracy prior to client reviews and releases
• Lead client conversations related to the technical portion of the website project, which may include site demos and CMS trainings
• Assist clients with CMS troubleshooting and tasks, including content population and app integrations
• Monitor team resourcing on a daily basis, proactively escalating if there are concerns before any impact to schedule or budget
• Partner with Account Managers to develop strong working relationships with clients
• Make important, relevant contributions in client and internal meetings, with a focus on generating workable conclusions
• Demonstrate curiosity and initiative when presented with problems, helping to come up with solutions

Key Requirements

• 5+ years of project management experience, agency experience strongly preferred
• Prior experience managing website projects across cross-functional teams
• Prior experience working in Shopify and/or WordPress platforms
• Understanding of third-party applications, platforms, and integrations
• Understanding of business and functional requirements, and how they impact the outcome of a project
• Ability to adjust to rapidly changing priorities and succeed in fast-paced environment
• Ability to apply common sense understanding in order to carry out detailed instructions
• Naturally curious and highly proactive, with a passion for learning new skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation and interpersonal communication skills
• Self-motivated and detail-oriented
• Level-headed under pressure
• CSM or PMP certifications a plus

Team Structure

• Project Managers are part of the Software team at Barrel. You will report to our Chief Technology Officer.

Expectations and Behaviors

• Applied example:
• On a Shopify website build, the PM must have a clear understanding of all the requirements including any features, integrations, and approaches to customizing the theme.
• The PM is the one interfacing with Software Engineers and QA to develop and document a clear plan. The PM is responsible for knowing how the project will be executed, what the effort entails in terms of hours and resources, and how it maps to the overall project schedule.
• The PM is also responsible for working with the team to ensure that the approach keeps the project within budget and ensures profitability. The PM carefully manages scope and is able to rein in client requests that are out of scope or get agreement in issuing a change order. The PM oversees a defect-free launch process.
• Expectations:
• Has a clear understanding of the requirements and our approach.
• Delivery of projects on time, on budget, and free of defects.
• Course-correcting and revising project plans based on unanticipated complexities or scope changes. Proactive engagements with clients to align on scope and ensure we are not over-servicing without proper compensation.
• Proactively communicating with team members and clients on the status of the project as well as clear priority or next-step actions to drive the project forward. Must also surface any risks quickly and escalate to the right people.
• Clear and detailed written communication especially in tickets for the team and in correspondence with clients.
• Unacceptable PM behaviors that signal underperformance:
• Inability to take the lead in developing a cohesive project plan, including the technical aspects. Not being proactive in bringing in the necessary subject matter experts to detail out an approach.
• Delays and lack of urgency in creating project schedules and providing clear direction to the team on priority actions.
• Not taking responsibility for project delays or budget overruns, quick to blame external circumstances. External circumstances may indeed impact the project, but the PM must still take ownership and present solutions to keep moving forward.
• Being inflexible with process and approach even as scope and variables change.
• Disorganized and lacking personal systems to manage flow of communication, tasks, and knowledge to ensure project success. Clear sign is when details are missed or communication is slow and unresponsive, especially to team members who need guidance and to clients who need status updates.
• PM seniority levels are determined by:
• Skill and experience navigating complex problems and high stakes projects.
• Track record of having successfully delivered projects on time and on budget.
• Degree of comfort managing technical scopes and being able to interface at a technical level with other team members. This means being able to understand and stress test certain solutions versus being a messenger.