Goldschmitt and Associates (G&A) is a leader in tech transformation and system modernization for federal agencies, seeking a Project Manager for COTS Product Implementations. The role involves leading end-to-end implementations of software products, ensuring timely delivery, managing risks, and coordinating with various stakeholders.
Responsibilities:
- Lead full lifecycle COTS implementations including planning, configuration, integration, data migration, testing, training, and go-live support
- Develop and manage detailed project plans, schedules, milestones, dependencies, and resource assignments
- Drive day-to-day execution to keep projects moving and remove blockers
- Serve as the primary point of contact for customer project teams throughout implementation
- Lead project kickoffs, working sessions, status reviews, and go-live readiness meetings
- Translate customer business needs into clear implementation plans and coordinate with technical teams
- Coordinate internal teams including product, engineering, configuration specialists, QA, security, and support
- Manage third-party vendors, system integrators, and customer-provided resources as required
- Ensure alignment between product capabilities and customer expectations
- Proactively identify risks, issues, and dependencies; develop and execute mitigation plans
- Manage scope, schedule, and change requests to avoid uncontrolled expansion or delivery delays
- Escalate issues appropriately with clear recommendations and impact analysis
- Ensure implementation deliverables meet quality standards and contractual requirements
- Oversee UAT planning and execution; track and drive defect resolution
- Confirm operational readiness prior to go-live, including documentation, training, and handoff to support
- Provide clear, concise project status reporting (schedule, risks, issues, decisions needed)
- Maintain project documentation, artifacts, and implementation records
- Support internal governance, compliance, and customer reporting requirements
- Other duties as assigned
Requirements:
- 5+ years of project management experience delivering enterprise software implementations
- Demonstrated experience managing COTS product implementations (SaaS or on-prem)
- Experience working directly with external customers in delivery-focused roles
- Proven track record of taking implementations from kickoff to production
- Experience with project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet, Jira, Azure DevOps, etc.)
- Familiarity with Agile, hybrid, or waterfall delivery models as appropriate to implementation scope
- Strong project planning and execution skills (not just methodology knowledge)
- Comfortable managing ambiguity, dependencies, and shifting priorities
- Ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Working knowledge of system integrations, data migration, testing cycles, and release management
- Strong organizational, documentation, and follow-through skills
- Experience implementing COTS products in regulated environments (e.g., federal, financial services, healthcare)
- PMP, CSM, or equivalent certification (valued, but not a substitute for real delivery experience)
- Experience working with security, compliance, or ATO-driven implementations
- Background in customer success, professional services, or implementation consulting