Project Manager; vendor software implementation

Duration:
Long-term contract with option to hire

Location:

Irving, TX (Monday–Wednesday on-site; Thursday–Friday remote)

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Project Manager to lead enterprise-level software initiatives delivered through 3rd‑party implementation vendors across our corporate brands, franchise partners, and retail operations. This individual will be responsible for managing vendor‑led implementations from a business and operational perspective, ensuring alignment with internal stakeholders, successful delivery, and adoption across the organization. The ideal candidate has deep experience overseeing external vendors, driving accountability, and coordinating complex, multi‑stakeholder programs in a retail or franchise environment.

• Lead end-to-end program management for vendor‑led software implementations, focusing on business operations, process alignment, and stakeholder readiness.
• Serve as the primary point of contact between internal teams and 3rd‑party software implementation vendors, ensuring clear communication, accountability, and delivery against scope, timeline, and budget.
• Develop and manage integrated project plans, milestones, dependencies, and deliverables across vendors, internal teams, brands, regions, and franchise partners.
• Oversee vendor performance, contract adherence, service levels, and issue resolution; elevate risks and gaps as needed.
• Coordinate cross‑functional internal teams (operations, finance, training, compliance, marketing, IT support) to ensure readiness and alignment with vendor‑led delivery.
• Drive organizational readiness, including rollout planning, business process alignment, training coordination, and end‑user adoption strategies.
• Facilitate governance, status reporting, and executive updates, translating vendor progress into business‑level insights.
• Identify and manage risks, issues, and dependencies related to vendor delivery, integrations, and organizational impacts.
• Ensure compliance with internal standards, operational policies, and franchise requirements throughout the implementation lifecycle.

• 8+ years of progressive project management experience, including enterprise software implementations delivered by 3rd‑party vendors.
• Strong experience managing external implementation partners, system integrators, or SaaS vendors.
• Background in retail, hospitality, QSR, or franchise‑based organizations strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success driving vendor accountability, cross‑functional collaboration, and business adoption.
• Expertise in stakeholder management, contract oversight, and change management.
• Exceptional communication and facilitation skills; able to align vendors, internal teams, and executive stakeholders.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing vendor budgets, SOWs, and contracts.
• Experience using Smartsheet for project planning, tracking, and reporting preferred.
• PMP, PgMP, or equivalent certification preferred.
• Ability to operate in fast‑paced environments while managing competing priorities with professionalism and resilience.