Senior Project Manager, New Client Onboarding

SUMMARY: The Senior Project Manager – New Client Onboarding, reporting to the CEO, HBGUS Distribution, is responsible for leading and executing the end-to-end onboarding process for new publisher clients. This role serves as the central point of coordination across internal teams and external stakeholders, ensuring a seamless, efficient, and timely onboarding experience. The ideal candidate will excel at managing multiple complex projects simultaneously, driving accountability, removing obstacles, and accelerating time to revenue for new clients. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the full lifecycle of new client onboarding, managing multiple concurrent projects from kickoff through go-live.
• Develop and execute comprehensive project plans, including timelines, milestones, deliverables, and dependencies.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams (Sales, Operations, Finance, IT, Logistics) to ensure alignment and timely execution.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients during onboarding, delivering a professional and positive experience.
• Track project progress, monitor deliverables, and maintain clear visibility for all stakeholders.
• Identify risks and potential roadblocks proactively; escalate issues as needed and drive resolution.
• Facilitate regular status meetings, communication cadences, and reporting to stakeholders and leadership.
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of onboarding activities to support a successful and timely client launch.
• Continuously evaluate and improve onboarding processes, implementing best practices and efficiencies.
• Provide clear, concise project updates, including status, risks, and timelines, to leadership and stakeholders.
• Analyze and interpret client requirements, aligning them with existing processes where possible and identifying gaps that require new solutions or process development.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to design and implement new system solutions or define and establish business processes as needed.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: As assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage diverse audiences in both individual and group settings.
• Results-driven with a strong sense of ownership and accountability; consistently delivers timely, accurate work with reliable follow-through.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize, manage multiple tasks, and maintain a high level of attention to detail.
• Proven ability to build collaborative, productive relationships across teams; fosters teamwork and alignment toward shared goals.
• Demonstrated ability to identify opportunities for improvement, challenge the status quo, and drive process enhancements and innovation.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset.
• High level of integrity and professionalism; operates ethically, follows through on commitments, and builds trust with others.
• Ability to influence and drive accountability without direct authority in a cross-functional environment.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Project Management, Supply Chain, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of project management experience, preferably in client onboarding, implementation, or new business launches.
• Experience in publishing, distribution, logistics, or supply chain environments strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Project Management certification (PMP, CAPM, or equivalent) is a plus.

Please note: this position requires regular on-site work at our Indiana location, 121 North Enterprise Boulevard, Lebanon, IN, 46052.

Hachette Book Group provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran sta…