Senior Advisor

Job Description:
The Senior Advisor performs highly advanced (senior-level) project management work. Work involves establishing the strategic goals and objectives for projects; developing guidelines, procedures, rules, and regulation; and coordinating and evaluating program activities. May direct, assign, and evaluate the work of project staff. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. This is an Austin-based position. This position offers a hybrid work schedule, with the opportunity to work remotely one to two days per week, depending on team and business needs. Essential Job Functions:
Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Directs, develops, initiates, and evaluates projects, including multi-agency or enterprise-level projects, using accepted project management methodologies.
• Responsible for coordination and implementation of high level, critical, large impact cross-agency projects as directed by the Deputy Commissioner of Operations and Continuous Improvement Director.
• Establishes strategic goals and objectives for assigned projects.
• Responsible for project documentation and executive reporting for assigned projects.
• Represents the Deputy Commissioner and/or Continuous Improvement Director in cross-agency or internal program projects.
• Works independently with minimal supervision in order to accomplish the desired outcomes of each assigned project.

Oversees the distribution of project information and project status reports.
• Keeps the Continuous Improvement Director informed both in writing and verbally of all project activities.
• Responsible for maintaining tracking and associated status reports for all assigned projects.
• Responsible for preparing status reports for external stakeholders including, but not limited to, the Office of the Governor, Legislative Offices, State and Federal Oversight or Compliance Entities, and DFPS Executive Leadership.

Oversees project budgets, schedules, work plans, resource requirements, and cost estimates and projections.
• Accountable for maintaining project budgets, work plans, resource allocations and associated reports for projects assigned.
• May direct, assign, and evaluate the work of project staff.

Coordinates project activities with other state agencies, governmental jurisdictions, or private sector partners and contractors.
• Develops standard guidelines, procedures, rules, and regulations for project methodologies.
• Responsible for identifying and documenting appropriate external stakeholders for projects assigned.
• Responsible for and coordinating project activities with all external stakeholders.

Reviews and approves proposed changes to project parameters and changes to original project plan and budget; oversees implementation of changes.
• Responsible for obtaining appropriate executive approval for change management activities for projects assigned.
• Responsible to keep up to date documentation and tracking of project activities including change management.
• Responsible for implementation and documentation of approved project changes into assigned projects.

Develops project plans including strategy definition, project forecast allocation, timelines and milestones, and contingency planning.
• Responsible for the development of written project documentation for executive approval.
• Maintains all project documentation in a project file.

Develops and establishes project goals and objectives consistent with the agency’s strategic plan.
• Responsible to ensure all assigned projects are further the agency’s strategic plan and mission.
• Responsible to ensure all assigned projects are in alignment with executive management’s priorities.

Develops criteria for evaluating programs, proposals, and other pertinent information related to project assignments.
• Evaluates and prioritizes proposals for new projects.
• Presents project proposals to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations, Continuous Improvement Director and executive management for consideration and approval.

Develops and implements plans to communicate project methodology and processes to interested groups and team members.
• Responsible for the preparation and dissemination of project information and documentation to internal and external stakeholders.

Develops, reviews, and recommends proposals and bids to management.
• Responsible for the development of written project proposals for executive approval.
• Prepares and oversees approved bids for services related to approved projects.

Establishes comprehensive strategies and methodologies for identifying, assessing, reporting, managing, and mitigating risk for projects.
• Responsible for the successful initiation, daily oversight, and delivery of assigned projects.

Monitors and manages project quality and cost to ensure that project deliverables are acceptable, fulfill the terms of the project contract or specifications, and are completed within budget.
• Will be assigned to work on projects that are highly complex, that have large budgetary considerations.
• Responsible for leading projects throughout the full project lifecycle from project initiation through completion.

Identifies potential project risks and difficulties, creates risk contingency plans, and designs strategies to mitigate or avoid them.
• When applicable the Senior Advisor (Project Manager V) will plan and develop methods and options to reduce risks to the objectives of assigned projects.
• The Senior Advisor (Project Manager V) will determine and implement the appropriate risk mitigation strategy based on risk tolerance measures agreed upon by the project sponsor.

Identifies and implements process improvements in the area of project management.
• Responsible for the evaluating of program activities related to projects assigned.
• Develops appropriate project metrics in order to assess project success and guide project process improvements.

Creates documentation procedures to capture and manage changes in original project plan.
• Responsible to implement specific strategies, plans, and steps that focus on the alignment of change requirements and the project goals.
• Develops project change management procedures in order to implement needed project changes while minimizing the impact on the projects overall goals and objectives.

May occasionally oversee more than one project simultaneously, including multiple highly complex projects.
• Will be assigned projects that are large and complex in scope, have long-range time frames, include the project supervision of large groups of staff, and have a high level of impact on the agency’s operations.

May testify before legislative and interested groups on project status and other issues of public interest.
• Responsible for answering inquiries from external stakeholders including, but not limited to, legislative offices, the office of the Governor, and other state and federal oversight entities.
• Responsible for preparing presentations and supporting documentation used in legislative hearings.
• May be required to present status and other project information to external and internal stakeholders.

May direct, assign, and evaluate the work of project staff.
• Coordinates, directs, assigns, and evaluates the work of project staff.
• Develops evaluation tools to guide the work of project staff related to project activities.
• The Senior Advisor (Project Manager V) will manage groups of staff project that are not under their direct supervision.

Performs related work as assigned.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of project management theories and practices applicable to projects that are highly complex in scope; local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to the administration of the project undertaken.

Skill in project management monitoring, addressing changes in scope and budget, and the use of a computer and applicable software.

Ability to manage project activities; to establish project goals and objectives; to exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions; to analyze complex information and develop plans to address identified issues; to demonstrate negotiation and facilitation skills; to identify project risks and gaps; to prepare reports; to communicate effectively; and to direct, assign, and evaluate the work of project staff.

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