Lead Researcher and Project Manager

When you're the best, we're the best. We instill an environment where employees feel engaged, satisfied and able to contribute their unique skills and talents while living and working as their authentic selves. We provide extensive opportunities for personal and professional development, building both employee competence and organizational capability to fuel exceptional performance through an inclusive environment both now and in the future.

Summary:

In this role, you will lead strategic, cross-functional programs that shape the future of digital work. You will combine your project leadership, research, governance, and transformation skills to drive measurable improvements in employee technology experiences. You will oversee complex enterprise initiatives, optimize IT service models, and deliver meaningful outcomes from planning through post-mortem. You will work closely with leadership, subject matter experts (SMEs), and cross-functional teams to set priorities, mitigate risks, and ensure successful execution. You will help shape Vizient's digital employee experience (DEX) maturity by mentoring peers, refining operational models, and leading high-impact research and innovation.

Responsibilities:

• Lead large-scale, high-impact DEX programs aligned with enterprise goals and measurable value delivery.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in DEX-related project management and implementation across the enterprise.
• Collaborate with strategic transformation initiatives to refine roles, responsibilities, and accountability structures.
• Manage multiple concurrent programs involving diverse stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
• Translate high-level objectives into actionable work plans; provide structure and clarity in evolving environments.
• Partner with leadership and SMEs to design and sustain initiatives that enhance DEX agility, maturity, and performance.
• Lead Vizient's Tool Consolidation and Rationalization Program, streamlining portfolios to reduce redundancy and enhance value.
• Own the full RFP lifecycle-defining requirements, engaging stakeholders, and leading vendor evaluation and selection.
• Use experience data to evaluate tool effectiveness, reduce underutilization, and to inform strategic software decisions.
• Develop clear, data-informed presentations, reports, and narratives for executives, IT leaders, and end-users.
• Facilitate cross-functional working groups and workshops to align priorities, surface risks, and build consensus.
• Cultivate strong relationships with IT and business units through empathetic, transparent communication.
• Act as a trusted advisor for DEX strategy and employee-facing IT initiatives.
• Coach and mentor team members, reinforce collaboration skills, and foster a psychologically safe environment.
• Help define the team's operating model, Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), and Center of Excellence structures.
• Oversee project management governance and ensure accuracy of procedures, templates, and internal processes.
• Establish and manage a prioritized activity roadmap that aligns with strategy, DEX benchmarks, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Identify and elevate emerging risks, assumptions, and opportunities that influence digital strategy and transformation.
• Drive strategic foresight and planning while maintaining momentum on day-to-day execution.

Qualifications:

• Relevant degree preferred; advanced degree in Technology, Business, Human-Centered Design or similar is desired.
• 7 or more years of relevant experience required.
• Deep understanding of Digital Employee Experience (DEX) practices and methodologies required.
• Skilled in building trusted relationships with senior leaders, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams required.
• Ability to facilitate collaboration and alignment across departments required.
• Strong planning and time-management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple initiatives.
• Expertise in software evaluation and RFP processes, including requirements gathering, vendor analysis, and leadership presentations required.
• Experience leading organizational change, including stakeholder readiness, communications, and adoption strategies preferred.
• Strong communication and storytelling skills; able to distill insights into compelling executive-ready materials preferred.
• Ability to influence without authority and mentor peers in fast-paced, matrixed environments preferred.
• High emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and business acumen; balancing creativity with execution.

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Estimated Hiring Range:

This position is also incentive eligible.

Vizient has a comprehensive benefits plan! Please view our benefits here:

http://www.vizientinc.com/about-us/careers

Equal Opportunity Employer: Females/Minorities/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The Company is committed to equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, religion, color, gender identity, ethnicity, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability status, veteran status or any other category protected by applicable law.