Manager, Project Management Office

WHO WE ARE We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website. We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region: The Manager, PMO & Business Analysis provides strategic and operational leadership for a growing IS Project Management Office within a mid-sized public sector organization. Leading a team of approximately 20 project delivery professionals, including Associate Project Managers, Project Managers, Senior Project Managers, and Program Managers-this role is responsible for advancing PMO maturity, building a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, and ensuring consistent, predictable, and value-driven project delivery outcomes. This leader partners closely with Business Analysts (BA), Quality Assurance (QA), and Organizational Change Management (OCM) teammates, as well as IS Technology Business Partners within the IS Service Delivery organization. The IS PMO Manager is a key contributor to establishing governance structures, performance standards, and delivery frameworks that align technology investments with business needs while coaching, mentoring, and developing a skilled, high-performing PMO team. This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. The candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin. What you would do in this job PMO Leadership & Governance Evolve and operationalize PMO frameworks, methodologies, policies, procedures, and governance structures to improve delivery consistency and organizational alignment Establish and monitor PMO performance metrics, KPIs, baselines, and dashboards to drive transparency, accountability, and value realization Oversee the creation, adoption, and continuous improvement of project delivery standards, templates, job aids, and tools supporting Waterfall, Agile, and hybrid methodologies Ensure alignment between PMO processes and the evolving IS intake, prioritization, and demand management practices Project & Program Delivery Oversight Provide leadership, guidance, and coaching to Project Managers and Program Managers executing small, medium, and large initiatives Foster best practices for scope, schedule, budget, risk, quality, and change management across the project portfolio Partner with IS Technology Business Partners to ensure project outcomes meet customer expectations and strategic business objectives People Leadership, Coaching & Development Build a team culture rooted in collaboration, accountability, and professional growth Mentor and develop PMO staff at all levels with an emphasis on strengthening delivery skills, stakeholder engagement capabilities, and agility mindset Stakeholder Engagement & Communication Serve as a liaison between business units, IS leadership, and the PMO, ensuring alignment of goals, priorities, and delivery expectations Communicate PMO performance, project health, risks, and strategic progress to senior leaders and partner groups Cultivate strong working relationships across Business, IS, QA, BA, and OCM functions to ensure coordinated delivery and value realization Continuous Improvement & Organizational Enablement Champion a culture of learning, improvement, and adaptability within the PMO Evaluate emerging industry trends, best practices, and tools to maintain modern PMO capabilities Drive maturity roadmaps aimed at increasing project delivery predictability, customer satisfaction, and organizational value What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications) Any of the following combinations of completed education in Information Technology, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field AND progressive project or program management experience or related field; including three years of experience leading project teams or PMO functions: High school diploma and 11 years of experience, including three years of experience leading project teams or PMO functions Associates degree and 9 years of experience, including three years of experience leading project teams or PMO functions Bachelor's degree and 7 years of experience, including three years of experience leading project teams or PMO functions What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications): Advanced certification in Project Management Prosci or equivalent enterprise project/change management certification Experience integrating PMO processes with enterprise intake, demand management, and service delivery practices Experience working in IT services, shared services, or matrixed delivery organizations Active PMP, PgMP, or PMI-ACP certification Demonstrated experience establishing or maturing PMO frameworks, processes, or governance models Experience with Waterfall and Agile methodologies in a public sector or similarly structured environment Proven ability to mentor, coach, and develop project professionals at varying levels of experience Strong communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills Experience promoting an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values culture and diversity among all employees What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:Knowledge of project management, business analysis, product/service ownership/management and coordination practices, including resource allocation Knowledge of budget management Knowledge of IT Service Management, and ITIL Knowledge of IIBA business analysis core concepts and business analysis body of knowledge Knowledge of current trends, issues and major legislation relating to IT work in public agencies Knowledge of technology change management practices Skilled in principles and practices of supervision, staff development and performance management Skills in developing and maintaining strong collaborative relationships with business partners and stakeholders Time management skills for self and other team members to ensure delivery of objectives in a timely manner Strong organizational skills and attention to detail to ensure the success of deliverables Leadership skills to gain the trust of team members that are not direct reports, encouraging collaboration for successful business oriented outcomes Skills in influence management and negotiation techniques Skill developing and maintaining service level/performance metrics Analytical skills to effectively evaluate project/analysis strategies, risks, issues, actions and dependencies Problem solving skills to resolve misunderstandings and to meet project and service objectives Ability to collaboratively define and articulate clear priorities and strategic direction Ability to provide mentorship and coaching to team members Ability to listen effectively and demonstrate that others are being heard Ability to express ideas and concerns clearly and concisely, verbally, in various presentation formats, and in writing Ability to write reports and business correspondence, reports and recommendations and clearly define and document procedures for technical and non-technical audiences Ability to focus on different tasks and challenges, while maximizing time, resources and energy to achieve desired outcomes, goals or expectations Ability to value differences, treat others with respect, promote cooperation and maintain positive relationships even in the face of conflict Ability to promote and model the IS Norms of Behavior Ability to define and negotiate resources for projects and services, resource planning to allocate for project and service success Ability to manage conflict with a focus on business outcomes and value What you can expect from us: We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area. We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement. We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance. More about why you should join us Additional information Union/Grade: Non - Represented / Pay Grade K FLSA Status: Exempt Safety Sensitive: No Work Environment Work is performed in a standard office setting. May require travel between primary work site to other sites. The responsibilities listed are typical of the positions included in the job classification; however, not all duties are necessarily performed by each specific position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the position. Regular attendance is an essential responsibility. What steps the recruitment process involves: We review your minimum qualifications. We rate your education and experience. We conduct a structured panel interview. We conduct a selection interview Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then: If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (safety sensitive positions only), and a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation. If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (if moving from a non-safety sensitive position to a safety sensitive position) and criminal background check if the job you're applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position. If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (safety sensitive positions only), and a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. All applicants' background checks and fingerprints must be cleared by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in order to be a user of their CJIS system. Failure to be cleared by BCA will automatically nullify any job offer extended. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation. If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (if moving from a non-safety sensitive position to a safety sensitive position) and criminal background check if the job you're applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. All applicants' background checks and fingerprints must be cleared by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in order to be a user of their CJIS system. Failure to be cleared by BCA will automatically nullify any job offer extended. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position. IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration. The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please email HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us.