Project Management Office Manager VI

The Senior Project Manager - IT reports to the Director of the IT Project Management Office (PMO) within the Information Technology Services (ITS) division of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

The Senior Project Manager - IT supervises a team of Project Management and Scrum Master professionals in performing work that includes research, analysis, project planning, execution, implementation, and closing activities; oversees the initiation and planning of projects; securing leadership approvals; coordinating among agencies; oversight of the progress, schedule, and budget of projects; and communicating with project stakeholders, management, and other relevant parties.

The Senior Project Manager - IT manages highly advanced projects as designated by the PMO Director, reviews the project teams' work products, guides the project managers in project management best practices, guides Scrum Masters in agency scrum practices; maintains a high level of quality and efficiency, and helps them break down barriers to the progress of their projects.

The Senior Project Manager - IT assists the PMO Director with complex analysis, compiling and reports and presentation materials for agency leadership.

The mission of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is to protect children, the elderly, and people with disabilities from abuse, neglect, and exploitation by involving clients, families, and communities.

We are looking to grow our teams with people who share our energy and enthusiasm to get behind our mission of protecting those among us who are most in need.

This position is classified as a full-time position (40 hours a week). Work outside of regular hours may be required. Travel to Austin offices for meetings may be required.

This position is a full-time position that includes other State of Texas benefits as described in this SAO site:

Key Responsibilities:

• Manages the day-to-day activities of assigned Project Management Office staff; hires, manages and provides guidance and professional development.
• Provides direct reports with work assignments, supervisory direction and information on responsibilities and work performance standards. Develops work performance plans and conducts performance evaluations at least annually.
• Oversees the allocation of direct reports to achieve timely outcomes and measurable goals.
• Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of staffing levels.
• Incorporates continuous improvement tactics and/or quality controls into portfolio management and deliverables to manage and improve project portfolio outcomes.

Project Management and Scrum:

• Oversees direct reports in establishing project goals and objectives, and creating project resource plans and schedules using project management/Scrum methodologies and best practices.
• Oversees direct reports in managing projects according to project scope, schedule, quality, risk, resources, and budget.
• Oversees direct reports in coordinating and communicating with project stakeholders, IT management, and program area staff to facilitate successful completion of project tasks.
• Participates with other ITS Managers in ITS' Scrum leadership board, establishing and guiding Scrum teams in DFPS' standard scrum practices.
• Monitors and manages project quality to ensure project deliverables are acceptable and fulfill the terms of the project charter.
• Works with IT staff and program stakeholders to identify risks/issues and develop mitigation strategies.
• Oversees and coordinates direct reports in developing and completing project plans, work breakdown structures, time schedules, risks and issue logs, and action/decision tracking logs.
• Coordinates project activities with other state agencies, governmental jurisdictions, or private sector partners and contractors.

Software Development and Implementation:

• Oversees direct reports in adhering to established processes and best practices in various areas, including business analysis, software development, testing, security, accessibility, implementation, and other internal ITS standards.
• Works with the PMO Director to establish the strategic direction and implementation of project management systems, such as Jira, Micro Focus Project Management, Clarity, and Planview.

Communications:

• Represents ITS PMO in discussions across DFPS programs, setting goals and objectives, and producing work products.
• Oversees facilitation sessions to further elicit business or technical requirements.
• Coordinates and communicates with project stakeholders, IT management, and program area staff to ensure projects are on track.
• Oversees the work of direct reports to guide program stakeholders in creating project communication plans.
• Develops project dashboards and documents to report on project statuses and instructs others in the use of these tools.
• Prepares high-quality written presentations, updates, summaries, and other documents according to target audience needs.

Research and Analysis:

• Performs project-related research and analysis tasks as assigned to report on program area requirements, state and federal requirements, and inform PMO Director of risks or issues.
• Provides research on complex topics, including assessment, analysis, and evaluation of federal regulations and communications, professional literature, and other publications to make determinations and recommendations related to state and federal legislation.
• Develops proposals as necessary to support project activities.

Requirements:

• Ability to mentor others in a constructive manner and follow through on assignment completion.
• Knowledge of project management, Scrum, and software development life cycles with familiarity with the Texas Project Delivery Framework.
• Knowledge of how to manage projects according to project scope, schedule, quality, risk, resources, and budget.
• Ability to establish goals and objectives for team members, create project plans, and work breakdown structures.
• Knowledge of software development life cycles as well as the processes and best practices of business requirement elicitation, software development, testing, security, accessibility, and implementation for software products.
• Knowledge and experience with common project management systems like Jira, Micro Focus Project Management, Clarity, Planview, etc.
• Ability to adhere to established DFPS project management and Scrum practices and drive improvements where appropriate.
• Ability to research and report on complex federal and state legislation, program, policy, and operational issues related to assigned projects.
• Ability to analyze and interpret complicated technical information and translate it to easily understandable and concise documents and oral presentations for team members, agency executives, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to identify project risks and gaps and ability to develop creative and workable solutions to problems and policy issues.
• Proven leadership of software development projects.
• Skill in interpersonal relationships, including the ability to work with people under pressure, negotiate among multiple parties, resolve conflicts, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with various level personnel in governmental entities.
• Ability to lead and work cooperatively in a team environment.
• Ability to perform with a high level of attention to detail and organization skills to initiate and manage multiple tasks, projects and priorities concurrently.
• Ability to provide training in the area of expertise to staff and project team members.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly with Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, MS Project, and Visio.