Project Manager (UX Research Vendor Engagement)

We are seeking a highly organized and proactive Project Manager to support a high-volume UX Research organization. This individual will own a portfolio of vendor engagements from initial intake through contract execution, purchase order issuance, and invoicing.

This is an ownership role rather than a traditional project support position. You will be accountable for keeping every engagement moving, proactively following up with stakeholders, identifying and resolving blockers, and communicating progress before being asked.

The team supports more than 700 UX Research projects annually, creating an opportunity to work across a broad portfolio of high-value research initiatives while gaining early visibility into products and experiences being developed across the organization. You will join a collaborative and welcoming team where your ability to make an immediate impact is valued.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact and guide for UX Researchers navigating vendor and procurement processes
• Own UX Research vendor engagements from intake through SOW creation and execution, PO issuance, and invoicing
• Manage a portfolio of active engagements and ensure each case continues progressing toward completion
• Coordinate across researchers, contract associates, vendors, approvers, and leadership
• Proactively follow up with stakeholders and create urgency when actions or approvals are outstanding
• Identify blockers quickly, recommend solutions, escalate appropriately, and drive issues through resolution
• Provide proactive written updates to managers and stakeholders covering progress, risks, dependencies, and blockers
• Anticipate stakeholder needs and potential issues before they delay an engagement
• Maintain accurate KPI and SLA tracking and ensure strong data integrity
• Maintain vendor resources, process documentation, team wikis, and toolkits
• Identify recurring friction within the intake to contract process and recommend process improvements
• Manage projects associated with implementing process improvements
• Provide guidance regarding compliance policies associated with vendor engagements

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role requires a strong sense of ownership and urgency. You take action rather than waiting for direction, keep your commitments moving, and close the loop on outstanding items. Your manager and stakeholders know the status of your work because you communicate proactively, not because they need to ask.

You are comfortable operating independently in ambiguity, know when to escalate, and remain persistent when progress depends on someone else. Just as importantly, you bring empathy to the process and help internal stakeholders and external vendors navigate complex systems and competing priorities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• 4 or more years of experience in project coordination, project management, program management, procurement, vendor management, or operations
• Demonstrated experience independently owning workstreams from beginning through completion
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects or cases across cross-functional teams and external partners
• Strong ability to maintain momentum across a high-volume portfolio with minimal day-to-day supervision
• Experience proactively communicating status, risks, and blockers through regular written updates
• Demonstrated experience using AI tools to increase productivity, efficiency, and overall throughput
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to adapt communication for peers, cross-functional stakeholders, and senior leadership
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions in ambiguous situations
• Excellent organization, attention to detail, prioritization, and follow-through

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in procurement, sourcing, contracting, or vendor management
• Experience supporting research, R&D, UX, or creative organizations
• Project or program management training or certification such as PMP or CAPM
• Experience with case management, ticketing, or workflow management systems
• Familiarity with UX Research or Research Operations