**Description** The Staff Specialist will provide key organizational, financial and technology support for the Great Lakes Region, Transmission & Distribution T(&D) PMO, with direct interaction across business lines, project controls, and international teams. This role will drive financial health monitoring, reporting excellence, innovation adoption, and operational consistency within T&D projects, supporting initiatives critical to overall business performance. This individual must be a strong problem solver, technologically adept, highly organized, and capable of managing multiple priorities with minimal oversight. The ability to navigate our complex organization will be a critical trait for success in this role. Working with project managers, organizational leaders and our teams is essential to the core mission of the PMO, to drive positive change and provide support to our project managers. As a founding member for the T&D.GLR PMO, this is a key role in the growth of this important part of our project management organization. We see this role having a strong opportunity for growth. Engineers and non-engineers are encouraged to apply if this aligns with their career passions. Key Responsibilities: PMO Maturity + Support the continued growth of the PMO by advocating for the adoption of PMO best practices and requirements to stakeholders, including business line managers, project managers, project controls, and project services. + Assist in identifying process gaps, suggesting and implementing process improvements. + Work with the PMO manager to continue building out functions and capabilities of the PMO. Including coordination with Engineering, Quality and Innovation leadership in T&D.GLR, and the PMO across T&D. Operational Excellence + Manage and support internal initiatives from task planning through execution, ensuring timely completion and consistent focus across areas. + Provide oversight and direction to international resources and BMI support staff managing tasks such as Ecosys administration. + Drive continuous improvements to project financial processes and reporting frameworks. Financial Controls and Project Health + Partner with CDB Project Controls to leverage T&D resources to apply controls best practices to T&D projects. + Interface with Business Line Managers and their teams to communicate and support the application of PMO financial requirements. + Monitor, report, and take action on PMO Key Performance Indicators (e.g., deal sheet compliance, Q1 adherence). + Support portfolio/project set-up, maintenance, change management, and financial reporting in internal cost management systems (i.e., EcoSys). Technology, Reporting, and Innovation + Develop and maintain financial and project health reports using Excel, PowerBI, and evolving platforms. + Stay current with technology trends related to project management, finance, and reporting. + Identify opportunities to leverage AI and automation tools to improve PMO workflows and efficiency. Leadership and People Management + Provide mentoring and guidance to junior financial specialists or other team members. Billability + Maintain 100% billability across assigned tasks and initiatives. Other + Process Improvement Leader: Formalize continuous improvement initiatives by documenting lessons learned and implementing best practices. + Training & Development: Develop onboarding or training materials for new PMO support staff, especially around tools like EcoSys or PowerBI. + Portfolio Reporting Enhancements: Help build a centralized dashboard for PMO leadership to view KPIs, project health, and financial forecasts across all active projects. + Other duties as assigned. **Qualifications** + Bachelor's degree in business, project or engineering management, finance, engineering, accounting or related degree and 4 years of related experience required or + Associate's degree and 6 years of related experience required or + High School Diploma/GED 8 years related experience required. + Experience with one or more cost management systems preferred. + Strong financial acumen and mathematical ability. + Ability to work independently, think creatively and analytically and make quick and sound decisions. + Excellent problem-solving skills. + Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, verbal and written communication skills and ability to handle multiple tasks. + Demonstrated ability to communicate with all levels within an organization. + Ability to track and follow up on multiple items with various timelines. + Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe and/or Bluebeam, and PowerPoint is required. + Strong knowledge of SharePoint, customer relationship management software and Microsoft Teams preferred. **Compensation** $35.00-42.00 Hourly The expected compensation range for this position is displayed in compliance with all local/state regulations. The final agreed upon compensation is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: individual education, qualifications, prior work experience and work location. The total annual compensation package will consist of an hourly pay rate and eligibility to participate in our discretionary year-end incentive bonus program. **Benefits** Our extensive benefits package takes care of you so that you can focus on doing great work. From insurance and disability to time off and wellness programs, we provide the tools to meet your needs. As part of being 100% employee-owned, eligible employees participate in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in addition to our 401(k) retirement program. For more information, please visit the Benefits & Wellness page. This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled. EEO/Disabled/Veterans **Job** Project Management **Primary Location** US-IL-Chicago **Schedule:** Full-time **Travel:** No **Req ID:** 252681 **Job Hire Type** Experienced #LI-STA #T&D N/A