IT Infrastructure Project Manager

Los Angeles Times • El Segundo, CA, United States • $115k - $130k / year • 1d ago

The Infrastructure Project Manager is responsible for coordinating and independently executing assigned infrastructure projects, supporting the maintenance, and improvement of the company's IT infrastructure and security environment. This role ensures the reliability, performance, and scalability of core systems while working closely with internal teams, managed service providers, and third-party vendors.

The Infrastructure Project Manager will work on assigned infrastructure initiatives, coordinate project tasks, manage project risks and challenges by collaborating with project team members, and track progress across assigned network, server, cloud, and/or security projects. Responsibilities include coordinating upgrades, bug resolutions, supporting change control and lifecycle planning activities, providing timely project updates to leadership, and ensuring smooth transitions to operational support teams and the Helpdesk by scheduling knowledge transfer sessions and overseeing smooth transitions.

Responsibilities:

Infrastructure, Security and other IT Project Management & Delivery: Coordinate and execute day-to-day activities within the project lifecycle for core IT infrastructure, network upgrades, security solutions, and data center migrations, ensuring adherence to scope, budgets, timelines, and key milestones for initiatives such as Juniper / other switch upgrades, network upgrades (LAN/WAN, Wi-Fi), telephony system integrations (VoIP), on-prem and cloud data center migrations, security solutions (e.g., VDI, VPN replacement), SSO/MFA implementation, Palo Alto firewall configurations and PCI DSS remediation.
Project Planning & Execution: Develop detailed project plans, scope definitions, schedules and risk management strategies using Smartsheet. Create and maintain a centralized tracker to log project issues, open items, dependencies, and risks. Review plans for completeness and escalate concerns when needed.
Agile & Issue Management: Utilize JIRA for issue tracking and reporting. Create user stories and manage backlog grooming, user stories, bugs, fixes, and test results within the tool.
Data Tracking & Analysis: Use Google Sheets, Docs, and Slides to track device or patch, or update rollout status. Develop and maintain tracking sheets using complex formulas, pivot tables, and data validation to effectively report on the status of project rollout.
Reporting & Executive Communication: Proactively identify and engage project stakeholders, ensuring alignment on project objectives, timelines, and impact. Manage stakeholder expectations through transparent communication about risks, issues, and project constraints. Facilitate regular project status meetings, steering committee presentations, and cross-functional working sessions. Develop project status summaries and dashboards using reporting features in Smartsheet and create 3D charts/presentations in Google Slides.
Budget, Vendor & Risk Support: Monitor and track project expenses, ensuring alignment with approved budgets. Support the Manager in vendor relationships, RFP processes, and initial risk assessment and mitigation plan drafting.
Change Management & User Adoption: Lead change management initiatives for infrastructure upgrades, including developing communication plans, training materials, and user adoption strategies to minimize disruption and ensure smooth transitions. Coordinate and facilitate training sessions for end-users and IT staff on new systems, devices, or infrastructure changes. Develop and maintain rollback plans for critical infrastructure changes to ensure business continuity
Quality Assurance & Testing Oversight: Support testing activities for infrastructure upgrades, including pilot projects, phased rollouts, and validation checkpoints. Assist in defining success criteria and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure project outcomes and infrastructure performance post-deployment. Conduct post-implementation reviews and lessons learned sessions to continuously improve project delivery processes
Ad-Hoc Business Application Support: From time to time, this role may be assigned to work on other business application projects (e.g., HRIS, CRM, ERP, and others) as needed, utilizing core project management principles and tool proficiency.
Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Business, and 3+ years of progressive experience working in IT (not limited to end-user support), with at least 2 years in a formal project management role, supporting infrastructure or technical teams OR 6+ years of progressive experience working in IT, with at least 2 years in a formal project management role, supporting infrastructure or technical teams
Proven ability to manage projects using both Agile and Waterfall methodologies.
Proficiency in project management tools like Smartsheet to create and manage project plans, including formula usage, custom fields, and data validation, conditional formatting, automation workflows, reporting, and dashboards. Experience creating detailed project schedules with critical path analysis and resource leveling
Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with competing priorities and limited resources
Proficiency in Jira or similar tools for issue tracking, reporting, and creating user stories.
Proficiency in using Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel, including writing complex formulas, pivot tables, and creating 3D charts for reporting purposes.
Proven track record of developing clear reports and presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides.
Working knowledge of network infrastructure components, including switches, routers, wireless access points, and their configuration/deployment processes
Familiarity with network protocols, IP networking, and cloud infrastructure concepts.
Ability to manage stakeholder expectations, communicate timelines, and escalate recommended mitigation strategies for risks and issues.

Preferred qualifications:

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) and Project Management Professional (PMP) certifications.
Working knowledge of advanced cybersecurity concepts. Experience managing cloud or other data center migrations, ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access) implementations, scanning, VPN replacement, and endpoint backup and security projects.
Working understanding of Vulnerability Scanning, Remediation, and Reporting
Working knowledge of patch management and deployment tools such as Jamf, Kanji, and ManageEngine EndPoint Central
Demonstrates a high level of understanding of IT infrastructure and security concepts; able to lead technical teams and projects effectively.
Understanding of emerging technologies like SD-WAN, SASE, containerization, and hybrid cloud architectures
Knowledge of endpoint security solutions (EDR/XDR) and their deployment considerations
Awareness of current cybersecurity threats and how they impact infrastructure design decisions
Experience working with on- and off-shore Managed Service Providers

The L.A. Times is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We actively work to create an inclusive environment where all of our employees can thrive. This Privacy Notice for Los Angeles Times sets forth how we will use the information we obtain when you apply for a position with us. Explore our company history, achievement, values, mission and more on our career site.

The pay scale the Company reasonably expects to pay for this position at the time of the posting is $115,000 to $130,000 and takes into account a wide range of factors including but not limited to skill set, experience, training, licenses, certifications, and other business or organizational needs. Compensation will be determined based on the above factors along with the requirements of the position. At the L.A. Times, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role. Please visit our career site to view the benefits available to our employees. We recommend adding our applicant tracking system domain (@dayforce.com) as a safe sender or contact, sometimes these emails get filtered to candidates' spam folders.