Project Manager

Opportunity Guide

www.kees2success.com

 

KEES builds transformative teams and leaders in the nonprofit sector.

 

KEES (Kistner Eddy Executive Services) is a national boutique firm that operates alongside Alford Executive Search (AES). In 2013, we established KEES as AES’s parent company and a woman-owned and operated firm. At that time, our practice also expanded beyond just Executive Search services to include Human Resources (HR) Consulting, Leadership Development and Specialty/Interim Staffing solutions. We now serve clients across the country in a multitude of ways that support the establishment, growth, development, and evaluation of healthy teams and leaders in the nonprofit and association sectors.

Alford Executive Search was originally established in 2000 by The Alford Group, one of the largest and most respected consulting firms working with nonprofit organizations in the country. AES was created as a search firm, only, with the concept to meet client need and demand for executive level staffing and recruiting services. The collective work of both firms has strengthened more than 3,000 nonprofit organizations in the past 40 years. Ms. Heather Eddy, founder of KEES, was a key leader in The Alford Group from 1996-2013.

Our team of experts is noted for responsiveness, thoroughness and service excellence. Because we know the importance of leadership and staffing, each of our consultants has served as a nonprofit staff leader, board member and/or key volunteer. This experience, coupled with extensive training and years of consulting, gives our team the expertise and strategic ability to deliver our services to all segments of the nonprofitsector, includingcommunity-based service agencies, human serving enterprises, faith-focused institutions, associations, foundations, health care entities, arts/culture organizations, education institutions, and senior living/aging communities.

 

The Opportunity: Project Manager

As a central component of the firm, the Project Manager provides support in the consistent and timely delivery of high-quality, customized solutions to clients, prospective clients, and internal projects. This role will serve in all the firm’s service areas, but primarily focus in Executive Search and HR Consulting.

 

Performance Objectives

Client Relationship and Service Management

• Work closely and proactively with team members at all levels to anticipate, delegate and/or execute tasks critical to the delivery of high-quality service and products.
• Facilitate professional and expedient communication among and between the KEES service team and clients.
• Project manage client partnerships as assigned, including but not limited to: interviewing stakeholders, writing job descriptions/performance expectations, drafting plans, timelines, and reports, developing screening questions and utilizing our online Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and CRM (Zoho), performing phone screenings, drafting a narrative write-up of a candidate profile, scheduling interviews, and supporting the overall client interview process.
• Support the candidate outreach process in support of each search, including but not limited to: posting jobs, conducting research for candidates, and initiating telephone outreach to support email and social media outreach.
• Issue regular communications (weekly/biweekly) to clients on the status of the project and upcoming timeline/needs.
• Facilitate search closing steps, including reference and background checking.
• Track candidates placed by KEES, including titles, hiring manager, salary ranges, dates, etc.
• Support consulting projects in Human Resources and Leadership Development in the areas of project management, timelines, client communications, research, etc.
• Serve clients directly, as needed and appropriate for skill set, in Specialty and Interim Staffing assignments.
• Serve as an editor of materials such as presentations, work plans, timelines, candidate reports and other related items.
• Manage internal team functions such as work planning and scheduling.
• Accompany other members of the team on sales meetings by phone or in person as necessary.

 

Operations Support

• Process and submit general operational expenses on a monthly basis via the firm’s online expense tool, and provide backup to client expense submission when needed.
• Coordinate travel and logistics for client and firm meetings, including travel for candidates being presented.

 

General Expectations / Miscellaneous

• Learn and remain up-to-date about KEES products, services and standards. Participate in the process of developing/refining materials that support all lines of client service.
• Remain up-to-date about developments in the nonprofit sector and engage in networking and outreach in groups and professional associations as appropriate.
• Understand and execute, with independence, special projects as assigned by senior members on the team, including but not limited to: proposals or marketing initiatives, supporting other consulting projects, research, etc.
• Conduct research, draft articles or position papers, and develop new tools or services to meet client needs.
• Serve as a representative of KEES and market the firm’s expertise in all settings.

Local travel may be required to meet project needs. Out of town travel may be needed in select cases. KEES is a virtual company, so all employees work remotely and gather monthly for team meetings, and for client projects as needed.

 

The Qualified Candidate

KEES seeks an energetic, emerging leader with a commitment to the nonprofit and public sectors. This role will require a spirit that supports the growth of the whole firm, as well as its individual service lines. Growth for this position will be defined by mastery of the performance expectations, superior client service, and ability to help the firm grow and expand its client and market share.
 

Qualifications (Required)

• Self-starter with ability to work and think independently, and to initiate and follow-through on projects.
• Excellent critical thinking and listening skills.
• Organized, focused and self-directed work style with ability to focus on and track details of many projects simultaneously.
• Ability to confidently triage projects, taking into account both set deadlines and unanticipated last minute needs.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively and efficiently produce high-quality documents such as letters, reports, materials, etc.
• Ability to manage relationships with diverse people, including client, staff and high-level volunteers.
• Ability to make decisions independently and in consultation with others as appropriate.
• Discretionary style to maintain strict confidential information related to candidate, personnel and business matters.
• Professional experience demonstrating effective and articulate verbal and written communication.
• Editorial expertise.
• Professional appearance for office setting and/or client meetings when necessary.
• Excellent command of Microsoft Office Programs such as Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint. Skill testing may be administered.
• Ability to navigate the internet to conduct research.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• An office set up that allows for privacy and a professional presentation when conducting online meetings. Equipment will be provided.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to get to meetings that may not be on public transportation routes.

Qualifications (Desired)

• Energetic personality.
• Experience with nonprofit organizations, consulting firms, and/or human resource departments.
• Knowledge of CRM, online databases, and social media platforms.
• WordPress and/or similar website editor experience.
• Knowledge of online survey tools such as Survey Monkey, ZoHo Survey, etc.
• Live in the metropolitan Chicago area with ease of access to city and suburban locations; southwest or western suburbs preferred.

To Apply

Candidates must complete the online application here and thereon submit their cover letter and resume.

To assure confidential tracking of all applicants, no applications will be accepted via email. Questions may be addressed to Jennifer Mathews at jmathews@kees2success.com.