Project Manager (12 month term)

Why Pythian At Pythian, we are experts in strategic database and analytics services, driving digital transformation and operational excellence. Pythian, a multinational company, was founded in 1997 and started by ensuring the reliability and performance of mission-critical databases. We quickly earned a reputation for solving tough data challenges. We were there when the industry moved from on-premises to cloud environments, and as enterprises sought more from their data, we expanded our competencies to include advanced analytics. Today, we empower organizations to embrace transformation and leverage advanced technologies, including AI, to stay competitive. We deliver innovative solutions that meet each client’s data goals and have built strong partnerships with Google Cloud, AWS, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP, and Snowflake. The powerful combination of our extensive expertise in data and cloud and our ability to keep on top of the latest bleeding edge technologies make us the perfect partner to help mid and large-sized businesses transform to stay ahead in today’s rapidly changing digital economy. Why You We are looking for an experienced and delivery-focused Project Manager to join our PMO. In this role, you will own end to end delivery of technical engagements ranging from data migration, data engineering, cloud modernization, AI/ML, Gemini Enterprise AI Enablement, and database transformation projects. You will serve as the central coordination point between client stakeholders, engineering teams, our partners and internal Pythian stakeholders, driving projects to completion on time, within scope, and on budget. This is a hands-on, execution oriented role that requires strong leadership, proactive risk management, and the ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy in a fast-paced, client-facing environment. If this is you, and you wonder what it would be like to work at Pythian, reach out to us and find out! Intrigued to see what a life is like at Pythian? Check out #pythianlife on LinkedIn and follow @loveyourdata on Instagram! Not the right job for you? Check out what other great jobs Pythian has open around the world! Pythian Careers What You Will Be DoingProject Delivery & Execution

• Project Manage end-to-end delivery of technical projects across data migration, data engineering, AI/ML, cloud modernization, and database transformation engagements.
• Establish and manage realistic, committed project schedules that account for deadlines, dependencies, resources, and costs.
• Ensure project completion on time, within scope, and within approved budget; monitor performance and recommend schedule changes, cost adjustments, or resource additions as needed.
• Establish milestones, monitor adherence to master plans and schedules, and proactively identify and resolve project issues through appropriate corrective actions.
• Operate across both Agile and waterfall delivery frameworks, applying the right methodology to the engagement context.

Risk, Issue & Change Management

• Implement proactive early warning systems to detect projects heading into distress and formulate structured get-to-green recovery plans.
• Track project risks, issues, and budget on a weekly basis; escalate and present findings to Customer Sponsor and Steering Committee at least monthly.
• Maintain rigorous change control discipline, ensuring all scope changes are documented, approved, and reflected in updated project baselines.
• Provide actionable recommendations on how to handle risks and delivery challenges, not just identification.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Serve as the primary point of contact for client project teams, senior stakeholders, our partners and internal Pythian stakeholders throughout the engagement lifecycle.
• Communicate project status, decisions, risks, and milestones through regular meetings, structured status reports, and ad hoc updates based on stakeholder needs.
• Deliver executive-level presentations with clarity and confidence. Both written and verbal.
• Secure formal acceptance and approval of deliverables from the Project Sponsor and key stakeholders at defined milestones.

Scope & Contract Management

• Own the Statement of Work (SOW) and ensure adherence to all contractual obligations throughout the project lifecycle.
• Interface with engineering teams and client organizations to clarify, document, and manage project requirements and scope boundaries.
• Ensure all backlog requirements meet the definition of ready before entering the development pipeline, and manage scheduling and communication of deployments.

Resource & Backlog Management

• Manage active project work and backlog, addressing priorities and communicating capacity and resourcing needs to team members and delivery stakeholders.
• Protect project schedules amidst changing resourcing demands; model staffing scenarios and escalate resource risks proactively.
• Understand customer production needs and determine staffing models, release plans, and delivery roadmaps to meet those needs, directing the team accordingly.

Agile Ceremonies & Team Collaboration

• Lead Agile ceremonies including Sprint Planning, Sprint Reviews, Retrospectives, and Daily Stand-ups, ensuring meaningful participation and continuous improvement.
• Drive clear definitions of Sprint Goals and ensure team alignment on priorities and delivery commitments.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and delivery focused team culture across internal and client-side team members.

Tools & Process

• Leverage tools such as Jira, Jira Plans, Confluence, and Smartsheet for planning, tracking, and reporting.
• Apply AI assist tools and techniques to enhance productivity, reporting, and decision-making across engagements. Gemini Enterprise, Atlassian Rovo, etc.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date project documentation, including RAID logs, status reports, resource plans, and financial trackers.

What We Need From You

• 7+ years of project management experience in an IT Services or professional services environment.
• Proven expertise in Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban), project planning, risk tracking and mitigation, financial tracking, and senior stakeholder management.
• PMP, CSM, PMI-ACP - a plus
• Hands-on experience managing technically complex projects including data migrations, data engineering, cloud migrations, or AI/ML implementations.
• Proficiency with JIRA, Jira Plans, Confluence, and Smartsheet for project tracking and reporting.
• Experience with AI-assisted tools for project management, reporting automation, or decision support - a plus.
• Comfortable presenting to VPs, SVPs & C-level stakeholders.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms, GCP, Azure - a plus
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional technology teams and drive alignment across engineering, delivery, and business stakeholders.
• Experience managing projects with contractual SOW obligations, change control, and client escalations.
• Self-motivated with the ability to handle significant context-switching in a fast-paced, client-facing environment.
• Comfortable working during EST business hours with availability to support EMEA-based projects as needed.
• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business, or a related field.

What You Will Receive

• Love your career: Competitive total rewards package. Blog during work hours; take a day off and volunteer for your favorite charity.
• Love your coworkers: Collaborate with some of the best and brightest in the industry!
• Love your development: Hone your skills or learn new ones with our substantial training allowance; participate in professional development days, attend training, become certified, whatever you like!
• Love your workspace: We give you all the equipment you need to work from home including a laptop with your choice of OS, and an annual budget to personalize your work environment!
• Love yourself: Pythian cares about the health and well-being of our team. You will have an annual wellness budget to make yourself a priority (use it on gym memberships, massages, fitness and more). Additionally, you will receive a generous amount of paid vacation and sick days, as well as a day off to volunteer for your favorite charity.

Hiring Disclaimer

• The successful applicant will need to fulfill the requirements necessary to obtain a background check.
• Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in any aspect of the selection process.
• Pythian is looking to fill this position as soon as possible as this position is for an active and open position.

AI Disclaimer Pythian may utilize Enterprise Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools or features throughout its hiring process. These tools help us manage high volumes of applications efficiently and may be employed to review applications, analyze resumes, and assist with other recruitment steps. While Pythian uses AI in its hiring process, it does not substitute for human judgment. Our Talent Acquisition Team reviews all AI-generated recommendations, and the system is subject to regular bias audits to ensure fairness and compliance with all applicable employment and human rights laws. All final hiring decisions are made by, and remain the responsibility of, human decision-makers. By applying for this position, you consent to Pythian’s use of these AI tools in the evaluation of your application. You have the right to request a human review of any solely AI-driven decision or to request an accommodation. Should you require further details regarding the processing of your data, please reach out to us. The Pay Range For This Role Is 85,000 - 90,000 CAD per year (Canada: Ottawa Office)