Project / Program Manager

At Wipfli, people count.
At Wipfli, our people are core to everything we do-the catalyst behind our ability to create exceptional impact and extraordinary results.
We believe in flexibility. We focus on relationships. We encourage each individual to follow their own path.
People truly matter and they feel it. For those looking to make a difference and find a professional home, Wipfli offers a career-defining opportunity.
Job Summary: The Client Experience Manager is responsible for leading complex, multi-workstream client engagements with a strong emphasis on delivery excellence, resource optimization, and engagement economics. This role partners closely with firm leadership and operations teams to ensure programs are delivered on time, within budget, and with appropriate governance, while navigating ambiguity, evolving scope, and imperfect data.
The Client Experience Manager serves as a senior delivery leader-translating delivery risk into financial, operational, and audit impacts-and regularly presents to executive-level stakeholders, including CFO, CIO, COO, and Audit Committee audiences.
Work LocationThis role is open to remote candidates. Due to the geographic distribution of our team and client base, we are primarily focused on candidates located within the Central or Eastern time zones. Candidates should be comfortable working primarily within these time zones to support collaboration with team members and clients. Occasional travel is required (approximately 20%), primarily within the Midwest and East Coast regions.
Essential Responsibilities:
Program & Engagement Leadership

• Lead large, complex programs and portfolios with multiple workstreams, managing scope, schedule, budget, risk, and interdependencies.
• Own budget-to-actual performance, including forecasting, reconciliation, burn analysis, ETC, utilization, and margin impact.
• Translate delivery risk into financial, operational, and audit-relevant language for executive and governance forums.
• Define, implement, and enforce stage gates, delivery standards, and governance models across engagements.
• Confidently challenge clients, partners, and internal stakeholders when risks, scope, or economics require course correction.

Resource Management & Portfolio Planning (Critical)

• Provide deep resource management expertise to support and optimize allocation across the Operations and delivery teams.
• Lead detailed resource planning, capacity planning, and portfolio prioritization across competing initiatives.
• Analyze and optimize resource utilization to improve delivery outcomes and firm economics.

Team Leadership & Delivery Enablement

• Directly manage and develop teams of 10+ professionals (excluding implementation-only teams), providing coaching, performance feedback, and delivery oversight.
• Use delivery data and operational metrics (burn, ETC, utilization, risk heatmaps) to drive informed decision-making.
• Build executive-ready dashboards and narratives from incomplete or evolving data.

Tools, Data, and Process Optimization

• Lead or support the implementation and optimization of PSA / PPM tools (e.g., Smartsheet, Mavenlink, OpenAir, Adaptive, Planview).
• Develop and enhance delivery methodologies, templates, and best practices to improve consistency and scalability.
• Ensure alignment between SDLC, change management, access controls, and governance frameworks.

Executive & Governance Engagement

• Regularly present program status, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership and executive stakeholders.
• Facilitate and lead executive steering committees and governance forums.
• Partner directly with external auditors and internal audit teams, as applicable.

Travel Requirements

• This role includes limited travel, estimated at approximately 20%, primarily within the Midwest and East Coast. Travel may include local, regional, and occasional overnight or air travel, depending on client needs.

Required Qualifications:

• PgMP or PMP certification required.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Technology, or a related field (business school degree preferred).
• 7+ years of experience in professional services or consulting environments with increasing responsibility for complex delivery.
• Proven experience leading large, multi-workstream programs or auditing program and project management for large clients.
• Demonstrated ownership of engagement economics, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance.
• Deep experience operating in environments with ambiguity, incomplete requirements, and shifting scope.
• Strong understanding of SDLC frameworks and ability to train and enable teams.
• High initiative with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience at a Big 4 or Tier-Two consulting firm, with progression to Manager or Senior Manager.
• Experience implementing or remediating SOX controls during ERP or large-scale technology implementations.
• Working knowledge of IT General Controls (ITGCs) and segregation of duties (order-to-cash, procure-to-pay, record-to-report).
• Experience aligning SDLC, change management, and access controls.
• Working knowledge of ERP platforms and delivery within ERP or large technology programs.
• Exposure to M&A integration stages, with ERP or technology implementation experience as a primary focus.
• Familiarity with COBIT, ITIL, and GAAP concepts.
• CPA preferred but not required.

Skills & Abilities:

• Exceptional executive communication and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to synthesize data into clear, actionable insights.
• Comfortable operating at the intersection of delivery, finance, audit, and operations.
• Ability to influence without authority and navigate complex stakeholder environments.
• Collaborative leadership style with the confidence to challenge assumptions and decisions.

Tiffany Farnsworth, from our recruiting team, will be guiding you through this process. Visit her LinkedIn page to connect!
#LI-TF1 #LI-remote
Additional Details:
Wipfli is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All candidates will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identify, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Wipfli is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, interview, or participate in our recruiting process, please send us an email at [email protected]
Wipfli values fair, transparent, and competitive compensation, considering each candidate's unique skills and experiences. The estimated base pay range for this role is $117,000 - $158,000, with offers typically not made at the maximum, allowing for future salary increases. The actual salary at the time of offer depends on business related factors like location, skills, experience, training/education, licensure, certifications, business needs, current associate pay, and relevant employment laws.
Individuals may be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, subject to participation rules and based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual and Firm performance.
Wipfli cares about our associates and offers a variety of benefits to support their well-being. Highlights include 8 health plan options (both HMO & PPO plans), dental and vision coverage, opportunity to enroll in HSA with potential Firm contribution and an Employee Assistance Program. Other benefits include firm-sponsored basic life and short and long-term disability coverage, a 401(k) savings plan & profit share as well as Firm matching contribution, well-being incentive, education & certification assistance, flexible time off, family care leave, parental leave, family formation benefits, cell phone reimbursement, and travel rewards. Voluntary benefit offerings include critical illness & accident insurance, hospital indemnity insurance, legal, long-term care, pet insurance, ID theft protection, and supplemental life/AD&D. Eligibility for all benefits programs is dependent on annual hours expectation, position status/level and location.
"Wipfli" is the brand name under which Wipfli LLP and Wipfli Advisory LLC and its respective subsidiary entities provide professional services. Wipfli LLP and Wipfli Advisory LLC (and its respective subsidiary entities) practice in an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and applicable law, regulations, and professional standards. Wipfli LLP is a licensed independent CPA firm that provides attest services to its clients, and Wipfli Advisory LLC provides tax and business consulting services to its clients. Wipfli Advisory LLC and its subsidiary entities are not licensed CPA firms.