Job Title: Project Manager / Process Improvement Consultant (12-Month Engagement) Location: Merrillville, IN - Hybrid / Remote (as applicable; will be some on site workshops) Duration: Full-time for first 6 months; part-time for following 6 months Pay Rate: $95/hour (W-2 Only) Employment Type: W-2 Contract Role Overview We are seeking a Project Manager / Process Improvement Consultant to support a high-priority transformation initiative. This role will partner closely with project sponsors, functional stakeholders, and leadership to drive execution, improve processes, and ensure clear, actionable communication across the program. The consultant will lead planning and facilitation of working sessions, manage project status and reporting, and help develop operational playbooks and repeatable processes that sustain outcomes beyond the engagement. Key Responsibilities Project Management & Execution • Manage day-to-day project coordination, planning, and execution across workstreams • Facilitate recurring project and leadership status meetings • Track milestones, risks, issues, and dependencies; drive mitigation and follow-through • Maintain project plans, action logs, and decision documentation Stakeholder Engagement & Communication • Partner with functional leaders and SMEs to synthesize updates for project and leadership audiences • Develop clear, concise executive-level summaries and status communications • Ensure alignment across stakeholders and escalation of critical decisions Process Improvement • Assess current processes and identify improvement opportunities • Lead structured working sessions to refine requirements, redesign workflows and clarify roles / handoffs • Document future-state processes and implementation steps Playbook Development • Plan and facilitate playbook design sessions with key stakeholders • Translate operational knowledge into practical, scalable tools and documentation • Develop repeatable templates, governance approaches, and operating guidance Qualifications Required • 5+ years of experience in project management, operations, or process improvement roles • Demonstrated ability to facilitate cross-functional working sessions and drive outcomes • Strong executive communication and synthesis skills • Experience building project status updates, leadership briefings, and operational documentation • Proven ability to manage ambiguity and operate in fast-moving environments Preferred • Experience in transformation, change management, or operational excellence initiatives • Consulting or internal strategy/PMO background • Familiarity with playbook development and process standardization • Experience working with senior leaders and cross-enterprise teams Success Profile The ideal candidate: • Brings structure without slowing momentum • Synthesizes complex work into clear leadership insights • Facilitates productive discussions and drives decisions • Turns emerging practices into repeatable processes and playbooks • Builds trust quickly with stakeholders at all levels