What is a Project Manager at Erie Insurance Group?

A Project Manager at Erie Insurance Group is a strategic driver of organizational change, responsible for leading high-priority initiatives that modernize our insurance operations and enhance the agent and customer experience. At Erie Insurance, we balance a century-long legacy of service with the need for cutting-edge digital transformation. As a Project Manager, you will sit at the intersection of business strategy and execution, ensuring that complex projects—ranging from Data Warehousing (DW) and Business Intelligence (BI) systems to enterprise-wide ERP implementations—are delivered with precision.

The impact of this role is substantial. You aren't just managing tasks; you are navigating a highly regulated industry to implement tools like SAP ERP and Procore that keep our operations seamless. Whether you are overseeing a large-scale budget or leading a cross-functional team through a process improvement project, your work directly influences Erie Insurance's ability to remain competitive and responsive to the needs of our policyholders.

We look for Project Managers who are resilient, adaptable, and capable of managing the "pain of change." You will face challenges common to large, established institutions, but you will also have the opportunity to influence our strategic roadmap. This is a role for someone who values stability and generous benefits but is driven by the desire to build more efficient, data-driven systems within a Fortune 500 environment.

Common Interview Questions

Behavioral & Leadership

These questions test your interpersonal skills and how you react to common workplace challenges.

• Tell us about a time you had to manage a difficult stakeholder.
• Describe a situation where you had to lead a team through a period of significant change.
• What is your greatest strength and weakness as a leader?
• Why do you want to join Erie Insurance Group, and how do you suit our organization?
• Describe a time you failed to meet a project deadline. How did you handle it?

Technical & Domain Knowledge

These questions focus on your understanding of project management principles and specific tools.

• How do you handle project budget overruns?
• Describe your experience with SAP ERP or Procore.
• How do you determine which project management methodology to use for a new initiative?
• What is your experience with Data Warehousing or BI system implementations?
• How do you manage project risks and dependencies in a multi-year project?

Problem Solving & Process

These questions evaluate your ability to think critically and improve existing systems.

• Walk us through a process improvement project you led. What were the results?
• How do you handle a situation where a project's "pain of staying the same" is less than the "pain of change"?
• How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple high-priority projects?
• What steps do you take to ensure a project remains aligned with the business's strategic goals?

Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparation for the Project Manager interview at Erie Insurance Group requires a blend of technical project management expertise and strong behavioral awareness. We evaluate candidates not just on their ability to use tools, but on their capacity to lead through influence and manage stakeholders in a corporate culture that prizes longevity and service.

Role-related Knowledge – You must demonstrate a deep understanding of the project lifecycle, budget management, and specific tools such as SAP ERP or Procore. Interviewers look for your ability to explain how you’ve managed large-scale budgets and technical dependencies in previous roles.

Problem-Solving & Process Improvement – We are interested in how you identify inefficiencies and implement better workflows. Be ready to discuss a specific process improvement project where you identified a bottleneck and led a successful transformation.

Leadership & Conflict Management – At Erie Insurance, projects involve many stakeholders with varying priorities. You will be evaluated on your ability to navigate conflict, build consensus, and maintain project momentum when faced with resistance or changing requirements.

Culture Fit & Values – We value candidates who understand our commitment to the "Erie Way." This means demonstrating integrity, a service-oriented mindset, and a collaborative spirit. We want to know why you are interested in Erie Insurance specifically and how your professional values align with ours.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process for Project Manager positions at Erie Insurance Group is designed to be efficient but thorough, typically spanning about two to three weeks from initial contact to a final decision. We aim to identify candidates who possess the right technical skills and the emotional intelligence required to lead in our unique corporate environment.

The process often begins with a standard phone screening or an automated video interview. This is followed by more intensive virtual panel interviews involving Program Directors, senior leadership, and potential peers. While the technical rigor is generally considered average, we place a high premium on your communication style and your ability to articulate your experience with specific enterprise tools and methodologies.

This timeline outlines the typical progression from your initial application to the final offer. Candidates should use this to pace their preparation, ensuring they are ready for the shift from high-level behavioral screening to detailed technical and situational discussions in the later rounds.

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

Project Execution & Tool Proficiency

This area focuses on your ability to actually "do" the work. In a large organization like Erie Insurance, we rely on standardized tools to maintain visibility across the enterprise. You need to show that you are not just a passenger but a driver who knows how to leverage technology to keep projects on track.

Be ready to go over:

• Budget Management – Experience handling large-scale project budgets, including forecasting and variance analysis.
• Enterprise Tools – Specific experience with SAP ERP, Procore, or similar project management software.
• Reporting & BI – Your familiarity with Business Intelligence systems and how you use data to report project health to executives.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Walk us through your experience managing a project budget exceeding $1M using SAP."
• "How do you ensure data integrity when reporting project status to the Program Director?"

Stakeholder Management & Conflict Resolution

Projects at Erie Insurance often involve legacy systems and long-tenured teams. Managing the human element of change is just as important as managing the technical schedule. We look for candidates who can navigate internal politics and build bridges between departments.

Be ready to go over:

• Conflict Management – How you handle disagreements between technical teams and business stakeholders.
• Influence without Authority – Strategies for getting buy-in from senior members who may be resistant to new processes.
• The "Pain of Change" – Your philosophy on helping an organization move past the status quo.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Describe a time you had to lead a team through a project that faced significant internal resistance."
• "How do you handle a situation where two senior stakeholders have conflicting requirements for your project?"

Process Improvement & Leadership

We are constantly looking for ways to better our internal operations. As a Project Manager, you are expected to be a leader who looks for opportunities to improve the way we work, not just follow a pre-written script.

Be ready to go over:

• Methodology Adaptation – When to use Agile, Waterfall, or a hybrid approach based on the project's needs.
• Continuous Improvement – Examples of how you’ve optimized a project management workflow in the past.
• Team Motivation – How you keep a cross-functional team engaged during long-term, multi-year initiatives.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Tell us about a process improvement you implemented that resulted in measurable time or cost savings."
• "How do you suit the organization’s culture while still pushing for necessary operational changes?"

Key Responsibilities

As a Project Manager at Erie Insurance Group, your primary responsibility is the end-to-end delivery of complex business and IT projects. You will be responsible for defining project scope, developing detailed work plans, and managing resources to ensure milestones are met on time and within budget. This role requires a high degree of accountability, as you will be the primary point of contact for both the project team and executive leadership.

Collaboration is a cornerstone of this role. You will work closely with Engineering, Product, Operations, and Finance teams to align project deliverables with company-wide strategic goals. You won't just be managing a schedule; you will be facilitating communication across the organization to ensure that everyone is moving in the same direction.

Typical projects include the implementation of enterprise-level software like SAP ERP, the development of new Data Warehousing capabilities, or the rollout of construction management tools like Procore for our facilities teams. You will be expected to provide regular status updates, manage risks and issues proactively, and lead steering committee meetings with senior directors.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

A successful candidate for the Project Manager role at Erie Insurance combines deep technical knowledge with the soft skills necessary to lead in a corporate environment.

• Technical Skills – Proficiency in SAP ERP, Procore, or similar enterprise project management tools is highly valued. Experience with DW/BI systems is a significant plus for IT-focused roles.
• Experience Level – Typically, we look for candidates with 3–7 years of project management experience. For Senior or Master Project Manager roles, internal promotion is common, so external candidates must demonstrate exceptional expertise.
• Soft Skills – Strong communication, conflict resolution, and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels are non-negotiable.
• Education & Certification – A Bachelor’s degree is required. PMP or CAPM certification is strongly preferred and serves as a key differentiator.

Must-have skills:

• Proven experience managing budgets and schedules for large-scale initiatives.
• Proficiency in project management software and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams.

Nice-to-have skills:

• Experience within the insurance or financial services industry.
• Knowledge of Agile methodologies and Scrum frameworks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How difficult are the interviews for Project Manager roles at Erie Insurance? A: Most candidates describe the process as average in difficulty. The focus is less on "trick" questions and more on your actual experience and how you handle situational challenges.

Q: What is the typical timeline from application to offer? A: The process is generally efficient, often taking about two weeks once the initial interviews begin. However, be prepared for a quick turnaround on automated video screenings.

Q: Does Erie Insurance prefer a specific project management methodology? A: We use a variety of methodologies depending on the project. Familiarity with both Waterfall (common for large infrastructure) and Agile (common for digital products) is highly beneficial.

Q: What is the work culture like for Project Managers? A: The culture is professional, stable, and service-oriented. There is a strong emphasis on collaboration and long-term planning rather than the "move fast and break things" mentality of tech startups.

Other General Tips

• Master the STAR Method: For behavioral questions, ensure your answers are structured: Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Focus heavily on the "Result" to show your impact.
• Be Tool-Specific: Don't just say you manage projects; mention your specific experience with SAP, Procore, or BI tools. This demonstrates you can hit the ground running.
• Research the "Erie Way": Understanding our commitment to service and our history in Erie, PA will help you stand out during the culture fit portions of the interview.
• Prepare for the One-Way Video Interview: Treat the recorded video interview with the same professionalism as a live call. Dress appropriately and ensure your background is clean and quiet.

Summary & Next Steps

The Project Manager role at Erie Insurance Group offers a unique opportunity to lead meaningful change within a stable, Fortune 500 company. By managing critical initiatives like ERP implementations and BI system upgrades, you will play a vital role in our ongoing digital transformation. The position is ideal for those who enjoy the complexity of enterprise-level projects and the challenge of leading diverse, cross-functional teams.

To succeed, focus your preparation on demonstrating your technical proficiency with project management tools and your ability to navigate the human elements of change and conflict. Emphasize your experience with large budgets and your commitment to process improvement. For more detailed insights into compensation and specific interview questions, you can explore additional resources on Dataford.

The salary for this role typically reflects the local market in Erie, PA, though it remains competitive within the insurance industry, especially when factoring in our generous benefits package. Candidates should interpret these ranges based on their specific experience level and the complexity of the projects they will be managing. Focused preparation on the areas outlined in this guide will significantly improve your performance and help you secure a position within the Erie Insurance family.