Job Description
Description Reports to: Sr. Director, PMO Crain Communications runs a wide portfolio of technology and product initiatives across a complex, multi-brand organization. Keeping that work moving requires more than tracking tasks and updating timelines. It requires someone who can think critically about a problem, ask the right questions, connect the dots across teams, and bring structure and accountability to work that touches nearly every part of the business. That's what this role is. Sitting within the Technology & Product organization, the Project Manager will serve as the connective tissue between our tech and product teams and the broader business, managing cross-functional initiatives that span Editorial, Sales, Events, Finance, Marketing, HR, and Enterprise AI. This person brings the organizational rigor of a strong project manager and the analytical instincts of a business analyst; someone who can run a project and also help a team think through what they're actually trying to solve.
Key responsibilities:
Manage cross-functional projects from initiation through delivery, keeping work on track, stakeholders informed, and teams accountable Partner with department leaders to understand business needs, define scope, and translate requirements into clear, executable project plans Apply critical thinking and BA instincts to identify gaps, surface risks, and help teams work through ambiguity before it becomes a problem Build and maintain project timelines, resource plans, and communications that give stakeholders a clear, honest picture of where things stand Manage dependencies across concurrent projects, anticipating conflicts and resolving them proactively Leverage AI tools to document meetings, capture decisions, and improve productivity across the projects they manage Support the PMO in developing and refining project management practices and standards Utilize information from multiple stakeholders to provide recommendations, identify tradeoffs, and support informed decision-making. Experience:
5+ years of project management experience, ideally in a technology, product, or media environment Experience working with cross-functional teams spanning technical and non-technical stakeholders Familiarity with project management tools and methodologies (Smartsheet, Jira, Asana, or similar; Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid) Hands-on experience using AI tools such as Claude Enterprise and AI meeting notetakers (Fireflies.ai or similar) to document work and improve team productivity Background in business analysis or requirements gathering is a strong plus Experience in a multi-brand or multi-business-unit organization is a plus Skills:
Technical Project management tools (Smartsheet, Jira, Asana, or similar) Business requirements gathering and documentation Working knowledge of enterprise software, SaaS platforms, and system integrations AI productivity tools including Claude Enterprise and Fireflies.ai or similar Soft skills Critical thinking and structured problem solving Strong interpersonal skills; you build relationships easily and hold people accountable without burning bridges Clear written and verbal communication across all levels of an organization Adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity About Crain Communications:
Crain Communications is a leading business news and information company with a portfolio of 24 media brands that provide indispensable coverage and data for professionals globally and across sectors, including advertising, automotive, finance, healthcare, staffing, and workforce solutions. Many of Crain's brands are the most influential media properties in the industries and communities they serve, including Ad Age, Automotive News, Pensions & Investments, Modern Healthcare, Staffing Industry Analysts, as well as Crain's regional business brands. For more than a century, our dedication to deep sector expertise and journalistic integrity has enabled us to provide trusted insights across all our platforms, empowering today's business leaders to make industry-shaping decisions. To learn more about Crain Communications, visit crain.com. Environmental Demands Where you work matters. The job posting will provide specific information on where and when your amazing work would be performed. Employee work location is determined by the needs of the specific team and may include on-site, hybrid or remote. Employee work location is subject to change. An "in-office" role would require the employee to come into the office most days with occasional flexibility to work remotely if tasks can be performed elsewhere and if the manager approves. A "remote" role would allow an employee to work from a home office that is in one of the states Crain does business in. We can only employ a remote / "work from home" employee if they reside in one of these states: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MD, MA, MI, MN, NV, NY, NC, OH, OR, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, and Washington, DC. A "hybrid" role would be a mix of in-office and remote work. There may be a specified schedule for coming into the office or it could be at the discretion of the employee with the manager's approval, subject to change. Employees who live within a reasonable commute distance from a Crain office are expected to work on-site 3 days per week. Many positions will also include work done in "the field." Depending on the role, this may include conducting in-person interviews, attending work-related events, meeting with sources or clients. Specifics will be noted in the job posting but are subject to change as a role evolves. Employees may be exposed to adverse environmental conditions, specifically during field work. Other typical job functions are performed under conditions such as those found in general office work. Travel to cover news stories/events, meetings with clients, and to our geographically separated offices may be required. It is the nature of many positions to experience non-standard working hours and be on-call when needed for responding to email, meeting with clients, attending work-related events, story development or breaking news. Most employees perform work Monday through Friday, although early-morning, evening or weekend shifts may be required. Work schedule and travel requirements are subject to change as a role and needs evolve over time. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of many Crain jobs and are subject to change. Physical activities will include frequent in-person or virtual interactions. For most positions, it is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer workstation for prolonged periods, perform computer-related tasks, and create/maintain documents within filing systems. Must have close visual acuity to perform an activity, such as preparing and analyzing reports and information, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, or extensive reading. The typical physical requirements are light work—exerting up to 25lbs of force occasionally and/or up to 10lbs of force frequently and may include climbing, pushing, standing, hearing, walking, reaching, grasping, kneeling, stooping, and repetitive motion. Some positions will have additional physical requirements, including exerting up to 50lbs of force to move and/or carry equipment, supplies, files, or other materials as the role requires. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions and meet the environmental and physical demands of the role. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c) Crain is one of the largest privately-owned business media companies with more than 20 leading business, trade and consumer brands in North America, Europe and Asia. Crain's uncompromising journalists, industry experts and business insiders share one vision: to produce stories, communities and platforms that empower our audiences' success. 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