Strategic Realization Office Associate - UniFirst

We are seeking a strategic and dependable SRO Associate to support the Strategy Realization Operations group in delivering strategic initiatives across UniFirst. This role plays a critical support and liaison function, focusing on governance, reporting, scheduling, and operational coordination to ensure projects align with corporate strategy and are delivered effectively. You will serve as a key liaison between project teams, leadership, and stakeholders ensuring clear communication, consistent documentation, and timely delivery of key initiatives. In addition, you will support the Process Risk and Controls Team in specific SOX auditing and documentation requirements. This is a fast-paced, high-impact role ideal for someone who thrives in cross-functional environments and enjoys keeping complex projects running smoothly behind the scenes.

Responsibilities:

• Monitors the enterprise project portfolio to ensure adherence to established Project Lifecycle phases, maintaining centralized, audit-ready documentation across all initiatives.
• Delivers key performance indicators (KPIs) and qualitative insights to senior leadership, highlighting project performance trends and overall EPMO effectiveness.
• Drives the end-to-end intake process for new project requests, ensuring accurate data capture, completeness, and alignment with strategic priorities.
• Facilitates seamless project handoffs between Project Managers, ensuring continuity, documentation integrity, and minimal disruption to execution.
• Manage onboarding processes for new EPMO team members, equipping them with tools, resources, and training to integrate effectively into the organization.
• Serves as a subject matter expert on EPMO tools and systems, promoting consistent usage and maintaining high-quality, reliable project data across platforms.
• Leads small-scale projects from initiation through completion, applying best practices in project planning, execution, and stakeholder communication.
• Identifies opportunities for operational improvement within the EPMO; proposes and supports the implementation of enhanced processes and efficiencies.
• Develops clear, data-driven documentation, reports, and presentations that communicate project progress, insights, and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Facilitates recurring team meetings, including agenda preparation, capturing meeting minutes, and tracking follow-up actions to ensure accountability and progress.
• Supports monthly and quarterly SOX compliance activities by coordinating documentation, tracking key deliverables, and ensuring alignment with internal audit requirements.
• Assists in the execution and tracking of IT general controls, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure timely remediation of identified gaps and compliance with regulatory standards.

Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 2-5 years in PMO coordination, project coordination, or strategic operations support.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Experience with project management tools such as MS Project, Jira, Monday.com, and SharePoint.
• Proven ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment
• Collaborative approach and excellent communication skills are critical
• Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to multitask among multiple simultaneous projects

Benefits & Perks:

401K with Company Match, Profit Sharing, Health Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, Tuition Reimbursement, 30% Employee Discount, Employee Referral Bonuses.

UniFirst is an international leader in garment & Uniform services industry. We currently employ over 14,000 team partners who serve 300,000 business customer locations throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

We were included in the top 10 of Selling Power magazine’s “Best Companies to Sell For” list and recognized on Forbes magazine’s “Platinum 400 – Best Big Companies” list. As an 80-year old company focused on annual growth, there’s never been a better time to join our team. 

UniFirst is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or employment against any individual on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ancestry, religion, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, or any other factor protected by anti-discrimination laws