Project Manager, Implementation

Job description

As a Project Manager on SIDEARM's Implementation team, you will play a key role in how our client work gets planned, coordinated, and delivered. You will be part of the operational engine that brings SIDEARM's digital products to life for our athletic department partners — from website redesigns and mobile app launches to the migration of clients onto our next-generation content management system (CMS). SIDEARM is the digital platform powering collegiate athletics for hundreds of institutions, and this role sits at the intersection of client experience, cross-functional execution, and operational excellence. In this role, you will manage the day-to-day execution of client implementation projects, keep timelines and deliverables on track, facilitate cross-team coordination, client communication and help ensure our clients have exceptional experience from contract signing through launch and onboarding. You will collaborate closely with Design, Engineering, Product, Partner Development and Client Support to keep work moving and communication clear. This role reports to the Director, Implementation. Essential Duties & Responsibilities: Project Execution & Delivery Own the day-to-day execution of assigned client implementation projects — these could include athletic website redesigns, mobile app implementations, third-party feature activations, new client migrations and platform launches — from kickoff through launch. Manage project scope, timeline, dependencies, and deliverables using Jira, Confluence and slack, ensuring the team always has clear visibility into what's next and what's at risk. Facilitate project kickoffs, working sessions and status reviews with clients and internal teams to keep work moving and expectations aligned. Track project health, timelines, and scope changes, surfacing issues and blockers early rather than at the finish line. Serve as a day-to-day point of contact for client stakeholders during implementation, building trust and delivering a smooth, professional experience. Client Partnership & Cross-Functional Coordination Translate client needs into clear implementation plans, working closely with Design, Engineering, Partner Development and Product to bring them to life. Communicate proactively with clients on status, milestones, decisions, and next steps. Support the transition from implementation to ongoing support and account management to ensure a clean handoff. Build strong working relationships across Product, Engineering, Design, and Client Support to keep dependencies clear and work moving forward. CMS Migration & Platform Delivery Play a key role in the migration of clients to SIDEARM's next-generation CMS, coordinating the technical, content, and communication work required for a successful transition. Partner with Client Support and Product to ensure clients feel supported throughout the migration and have the resources they need. Coordinate work involving third-party features and vendors (such as Noda, Level Access, Game Center) as part of the implementation lifecycle. Document and share lessons learned across the team as we scale the migration program and expand the implementation function. Accountability & Continuous Improvement Maintain accurate, up-to-date documentation of project status, decisions, and outcomes in Confluence and Jira. Contribute to a team culture where deadlines are treated as commitments and blockers are surfaced early with proposed paths forward. Look for opportunities to streamline processes, reduce friction, and make the implementation function more effective over time. Stay current on evolving project management tools and approaches, including AI-powered workflow tools like Claude, and bring new ideas to the team. Minimum Qualifications: 3+ years of experience in project management, project coordination, client implementation, or client-facing operations — ideally in a SaaS, digital platform, website development or professional services environment. Experience managing client-facing projects from planning through delivery, with a track record of hitting timelines and delivering strong client experiences. Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously without losing detail. Clear and confident communicator, written and verbal, comfortable working across both technical and non-technical audiences. Familiarity with project management or work tracking tools such as Jira, Confluence, Asana, or similar. Interest in or experience with AI tools and how they can improve team efficiency and workflow. A problem-solving mindset, someone who asks "how can we make this happen?" and works through obstacles. High attention to detail, strong follow-through, and a collaborative approach to working with others. Genuine interest in digital products, client experience, or collegiate athletics. Must reside in or be willing to relocate to the Dallas, TX metro area and be able to work onsite at Learfield HQ a minimum of four days per week, Monday through Thursday. Experience with content management systems, digital platform delivery, or website/mobile app implementations is a plus. Preferred Qualifications: Experience leading or supporting large-scale platform migrations or CMS transitions. Project management certifications such as PMP, CSM, or equivalent. Experience with Claude or other modern AI platforms in operational work. Background in collegiate athletics, sports technology, or fan-facing digital products. Learfield offers a full spectrum of benefits for eligible employees including Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account, Life Insurance and Other Insurance Plans, Flexible Paid Time Off (minimum 10+ days annually), including Parental Leave, 20 Paid Holidays, 401(k) + Match, and Short/Long Term Disability. Leave benefits are consistent with state and local laws, including the Colorado Health Families and Workplaces Act. Learfield is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race; color; sex; gender identity; sexual orientation; religious practices and observances; national origin; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; status as a protected veteran or spouse/family member of a protected veteran; or disability.