Technical Project Manager – Wireless Wi-Fi Infrastructure Chicago, IL – Hybrid Contract

Refined Scope of Services & Deliverables

Engagement Overview

Client requires a Dedicated Project Manager with strong Wi-Fi infrastructure experience to support the deployment transition and live operation of the Soldier Field Wi-Fi System in Chicago IL. The engagement duration is 6-12 months with a mix of onsite and remote responsibilities including event-day engineering support during NFL games.

Key Deliverables

• Project Plan & Schedule
• Weekly Status Reports
• Risk Issue & Dependency Tracking
• Vendor & Stakeholder Coordination
• Project Closure Report

Project Management Responsibilities

• Assume full ownership of end-to-end project execution.
• Act as single point of contact (POC) for AT&T stakeholders and vendors.
• Conduct project kickoff status meetings and close-out meetings.
• Manage scope timelines dependencies and first-level escalations.
• Provide weekly project status reporting.
• Coordinate:
  • Customer technicians and third-party vendors
  • Delivery and installation of RUCKUS switches and access points
  • Low-voltage cabling contractors
  • Engineering/design coordination with RUCKUS
• Verify installation accuracy against approved designs and specifications.
• Lead coordination with ASM and Boingo Wireless to ensure a seamless transition from the existing Boingo Wi-Fi system.
• Track de-installation of legacy equipment and installation of new hardware.
• Assist in defining Levels of Service (LOS) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for ongoing Wi-Fi operations.

Onsite Engineering & Event Support

• Provide onsite engineering support for approximately 9 NFL home games per season.
• During the initial contract support up to 5 live events in the first calendar year.
• Event-day responsibilities include:
  • Monitoring network performance using AirWave Aruba Central or dashboards
  • Monitoring onboarding band steering and RF behavior
  • Performing fixed-position surveys (premium areas and general seating)
  • Executing selective speed tests and RF troubleshooting
  • Identifying and mitigating rogue RF interference
  • Implementing real-time network tuning (power channels data rates beacon rates RF groups)
• Produce post-event performance reports and recommendations.

Engagement Assumptions

• Services performed Monday Friday 8:00 AM 5:00 PM local time.
• Full access to stadium facilities and required areas.
• No permits or licenses required.
• Supplier and AT&T will jointly manage scope and changes.
• Onsite resources will be scheduled for contiguous date ranges.
• AT&T or the Customer will provide workspace access and equipment as required.

MUST-HAVE SKILLS & EXPERIENCE (Non-Negotiable)

• 8 12 years of experience in technical project management.
• Proven experience managing enterprise Wi-Fi / wireless infrastructure deployments.
• Hands-on exposure to:
  • RUCKUS APs & switches
  • Large-scale Wi-Fi environments (stadiums arenas campuses airports).
• Strong understanding of:
  • RF concepts (channels power levels interference band steering)
  • Wi-Fi performance monitoring and tuning
• Experience coordinating multiple vendors (OEMs cabling contractors carriers).
• Prior work with AT&T or large telecom providers is highly preferred.
• Ability to act as lead POC manage escalations and communicate with senior stakeholders.
• Comfortable working onsite during live events including weekends as required.
• Strong documentation and reporting skills.

NICE-TO-HAVE / STRONG PREFERENCES

• Experience with Aruba AirWave / Aruba Central.
• Stadium or sports venue experience (NFL MLB NBA venues).
• Exposure to Boingo Wireless or similar DAS/Wi-Fi providers.
• Certifications such as:
  • PMP
  • CWNA / CWDP
  • RUCKUS or Aruba certifications
• Experience creating SOPs and operational runbooks.

Personality & Soft Skills

• Highly organized and proactive
• Comfortable in high-pressure live-event environments
• Strong cross-functional communicator
• Able to bridge technical engineering teams and business stakeholders
• Detail-oriented with strong ownership mindset