Project Manager - Business and Systems Process Improvement - Costa Mesa, CA

Location Costa Mesa, CA 92626   We've had a hand in helping build communities for over 100 years. We're listed on Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For" in 2006. It pays to work at WaMu. We've added even more benefits to our generous package.Learn more at wamu.com/careers Project Manager - Business and Systems Process Improvement - Costa Mesa, CA At WaMu, our core values inspire and guide our talented team as they help us write our extraordinary ongoing success story.  We believe that a diverse group of talented, committed individuals—working as a team—can make a real difference. We celebrate our successes, learn from our failures, and keep our egos in check. We also manage to keep a sense of humor along the way.  So if you’re ready for WaMu, read on!   This position is responsible for applying project management core competencies in the management of medium or large business projects and/or individual phases of large projects. This position typically is responsible for projects having medium or high levels of complexity, geographic dispersion and risk as well as relatively short duration.   Job Functions 1. Leads medium to high complexity business process projects utilizing Washington Mutual’s project methodologies. 2. Develops/implements changes to specific bank business operations by: defining and prioritizing project activities, facilitating meetings; identifying operational impacts; preparing task outlines and user requirements; clarifying and documenting processes and policies and procedures. 3. Performs moderately complex business analysis, reengineering, and work process improvement activities, including interviews, research, best practice identification, flow chart development, etc. Assists in preparing training materials for presentations supporting to new or revised operations or products. 3. Develops, monitors and manages project schedules to include all dependencies to baseline, being able to identify and manage the critical path, and understanding how to mitigate schedule risk. 4. Provides subject matter expertise in areas including: project management, cost estimating, budget and finance, project scope management, risk identification/mitigation, issues resolution, practical use of project methodologies, resource allocation, group and meeting facilitation, conflict resolution, identification/validation of requirements, and other areas of expertise based on project management background. 5. Presents or participates in the presentation of the project to oversight entities at reviews and other required decision-making junctures during the project; demonstrates knowledge of business case for the project, including but not limited to: strategic rationale for project, expected benefits, expected payback, risks involved, and investment required. 7. Researches, prepares and presents regular reports of project status based on required health indicators proactively. Proficient level knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of project management demonstrating successful project management experience and knowledge including: • Practical, demonstrated, hands-on application of principles, practices and techniques of project management. • Proficient in organizational change management, quality management, conflict resolution, executive level communications, strategic planning and analysis, risk and issues identification and resolution. • Proficient in facilitation, management of team dynamics, relationship building, influencing, problem solving, decision making, resourcefulness, strategic thinking, innovation management, tactical execution, dealing with ambiguity, team building, leadership, interpersonal communications, and executive level communications • Has an intermediate-level understanding of Washington Mutual’s products, business and regulatory environment, operating opportunities and constraints.   Demonstrated Ability: • Ability to work in a fast-paced and agile environment with a high degree of ambiguity and change. • Results-oriented and ability to drive to solution. • Ability to make decision quickly and move on. • High degree of demonstrated critical thinking and being able to discern the unknowns and mitigate the findings immediately. • Work independently in a leadership role as project manager providing direction to project team, handling the management of team dynamics, including geographically-dispersed resources and a matrixed environment; team building, coaching and performance feedback. • Ability to create project schedules with related dependencies and critical path, the ability to evaluate other team’s schedules for flaws, and the ability to estimate project timelines. • Ability to estimate project costs, create budgets and track project financials, with proficiency with basic business finances. • Project experience managing multiple project teams to complete projects on time and within budget. • Communicate effectively and partner with senior leadership, sponsors, stakeholders and business partners across a complex organizational structure.   Experience/Education Requirements: • 3 to 5 years experience with direct, hands-on experience with successful implementation of projects. • Project management experience in business process/process improvement projects preferred. • College graduate, PMP certification or equivalent preferred. • Proficiency in utilizing Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Visio.  Familiarity with collaboration sites preferred.   Washington Mutual is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace differences, welcome diversity, and value a culture of respect.