IT Project Manager

Location:  Chicago, Illinois | The Loop

Schedule: Onsite Monday-Thursday; remote Friday

Employment Type: Full-time

About the Role

EMPIST is seeking a detail-oriented, client-focused IT Project Manager to coordinate and deliver a diverse portfolio of client technology projects, including network and server refreshes, Microsoft 365 and cloud migrations, and Wi-Fi deployments.

This role also plays a critical part in welcoming new Managed Services clients to EMPIST. The IT Project Manager will guide clients through onboarding—from the Sales handoff through operational go-live—ensuring technical readiness, clear communication, organized documentation, and a smooth transition into a long-term partnership with EMPIST.

What You’ll Be Doing:

Client Onboarding & Transition Management

• Manage the onboarding of new Managed Services clients from Sales handoff through operational go-live.
• Lead client kickoff meetings, establish timelines and expectations, track technical-readiness activities, and provide regular status updates.
• Coordinate the final operational handoff, ensuring required documentation, access, processes, and stakeholders are prepared for ongoing service delivery.
• Guide clients through EMPIST best practices and service-standardization requirements during onboarding.

Project Planning & Delivery

• Plan, coordinate, and deliver technology projects such as network and server refreshes, cloud migrations, Microsoft 365 implementations, and Wi-Fi deployments.
• Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, milestones, resource assignments, client timelines, and project documentation.
• Coordinate internal technical teams, vendors, and client stakeholders to keep projects on track and aligned with defined scope, budget, quality standards, and timelines.
• Facilitate project meetings, including kickoffs, recurring status meetings, stakeholder updates, and closeout calls.
• Manage change orders, scope clarifications, risks, dependencies, and escalation paths for both onboarding and Professional Services projects.

Communication, Documentation & Continuous Improvement

• Communicate project scope, progress, milestones, risks, decisions, and next steps clearly to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate project records, handoff materials, status reporting, and other delivery artifacts in accordance with EMPIST PMO processes.
• Partner effectively with technical and non-technical teams to resolve issues, manage client expectations, and deliver a professional client experience.
• Identify opportunities to improve project delivery, onboarding consistency, and the overall client transition experience.

What We’re Looking For:

You are an organized, proactive project manager who can bring structure to complex technical initiatives while keeping clients and internal teams aligned. You are comfortable managing multiple priorities, communicating with stakeholders at all levels, and translating project details into clear, actionable updates.

You take ownership, follow through on commitments, and understand that a successful project is measured not only by timely delivery, but also by a confident and well-supported client experience.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 3–5 years of relevant IT project-management experience; MSP experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with strong organization, prioritization, and attention to detail.
• Experience managing client-facing technology projects and/or new-client onboarding engagements.
• Ability to interpret, manage, and deliver work in accordance with Statements of Work (SOWs).
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage client expectations, particularly during early-stage client engagements and changing project conditions.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with technical teams, vendors, client stakeholders, and internal leadership.
• Familiarity with Microsoft 365, cloud environments, and general IT infrastructure concepts.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; experience with Monday.com is a plus.
• PMP certification, or progress toward PMP certification, is a plus.
• Positive, accountable, and growth-oriented approach to work.

Why Join EMPIST?

• Lead meaningful client onboarding experiences and technology projects with visible business impact.
• Work across Managed IT, Cloud, Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, and modern workplace technologies.
• Collaborate with experienced technical, service-delivery, and client-facing teams.
• Build your project-management career within a growing, nationally recognized MSP.
• Access career-development opportunities and a collaborative, high-performance team environment.

Compensation & Benefits

• $75,000–$90,000
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Student loan reimbursement program
• Career advancement and professional-development opportunities
• Collaborative, high-performance team environment

EMPIST is a 26-year-old global company with US locations in the heart of the Loop in Downtown Chicago near all major transportation, Downtown Elmhurst on York Road and an office in Phoenix, AZ. We also have our European HQ in Athens, Greece. We have been named to the Inc 500/5000 list for 8 out of the last 9 years which recognizes the fastest-growing, privately held businesses across the nation. We've also been chosen as one of the 501 most influential MSPs in the world (#73 in 2024) recognized on the Channel Futures 501 list for 10 straight years.