Sr. Project Manager, GCS Technical Services Strategy And Operations

Sr. Project Manager, GCS Technical Services Strategy and Operations

Palo Alto Networks is looking for a Sr. Project Manager to join the GCS Technical Services Strategy and Operations organization. You will be the operational engine behind our critical initiatives, driving projects from vague concepts to tangible deliverables. We are looking for a builder and a problem solver—someone who doesn't just manage a checklist, but leads with curiosity to understand the "why" behind every process and requirement.

In this role, you will bring operational rigor to a complex environment, bridging the gap between strategy and execution. You will own the lifecycle of key projects, ensuring that cross-functional teams are aligned, impediments are removed, and stakeholders are kept informed with clarity and transparency.

Your impact will include:

• Drive Action from Ambiguity: Take ownership of ill-defined problems or broad initiatives and structure them into executable project plans with clear scope, milestones, and dependencies.
• Lead with Curiosity: Proactively identify weak explanations or process gaps. You will not just document requirements but challenge assumptions, validate data, and interview stakeholders to ensure we are solving the root cause rather than the symptom.
• Operational Rigor: Establish and maintain the "rhythm of the business" for your projects. You will ensure meetings are effective, documentation is pristine, and action items are followed through to completion.
• Stakeholder Orchestration: Serve as the central hub for your projects, coordinating efforts across matrixed teams. You will collaborate with peers and leadership to ensure alignment on goals and timelines.
• Clear & Concise Communication: Translate complex operational updates into simple, narrative-driven status reports. You will be responsible for ensuring that no stakeholder is surprised by a risk or delay.
• Project Governance: Monitor project health using appropriate metrics and KPIs. You will be quick to identify risks and decisive in proposing mitigation plans.
• Continuous Improvement: Use your inquisitive nature to spot inefficiencies in how the Technical Services organization operates and propose practical solutions to streamline workflows.

Your experience should include:

• 5-8 years of project management experience, preferably within a professional services, customer success, or technical operations environment.
• Radical Ownership: A track record of taking full accountability for project outcomes. You function effectively as an individual contributor who can drive results through influence rather than authority.
• Curious Mindset: Demonstrated history of digging deeper than the surface level—asking the hard questions to clarify "gray areas" and ensuring distinct understanding among all parties.
• Navigating Ambiguity: Proven ability to remain calm and focused in a fast-paced environment where answers aren't always immediately clear; you are comfortable creating structure where none exists.
• Communication Excellence: Strong verbal and written communication skills. You can synthesize scattered information into a clear status update or process document.
• Operational Fluency: Experience with standard project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid) is helpful, but the ability to apply the right amount of process to the problem at hand is more important than specific frameworks or techniques.
• Collaboration: High emotional intelligence and the ability to build trust with diverse teams, including technical and non-technical stakeholders.

The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications, experience, and work location. For candidates who receive an offer at the posted level, the starting base salary (for non-sales roles) or base salary + commission target (for sales/commissioned roles) is expected to be between $99000 - $160500/YR. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus.

Palo Alto Networks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in our workplace, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or other legally protected characteristics.