Senior Project Manager

About NFF

Since 1996, NFF has designed, architected, and delivered IT network and security solutions to many state, and local government agencies, K-20 educational institutions, federal agencies, and large enterprise businesses across the mid-Atlantic. NFF is a technology services and solutions provider, specializing in next-generation IT infrastructure including networks, data centers, cloud migrations, IT security, collaboration and mobility, and full/part-time staff augmentation services. Our solutions, professional services and IT staffing portfolio are centered around building more resilient, secure, adaptive, and intelligent IT infrastructure and include comprehensive assessment, architecture, design, integration and installation services, and ongoing performance management services though our Network Operations Center (NOC).

NFF is a Cisco Gold Partner with a Customer Experience Specialization and was a "Cisco Top-5 Mid-Atlantic SLED Partner" in 2019, 2020 and 2022. NFF has maintained Cisco Gold Partnership since 2008, is the only Cisco Gold Partner headquartered in the District of Columbia. In addition to Cisco, NFF has key partnerships with many manufacturers and IT solution providers including, Rapid7, Arctic Wolf, VMware, NetApp and Splunk.

NFF is a District of Columbia (DC) Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) and a SBA Certified Small Business with headquarters in downtown Washington, DC. Our dedication to quality is reflected in our accomplishment of being awarded multiple ISO 9001:2015 certifications.

About this Position / Responsibilities

Summary

We're looking for a practical, hands-on Program Manager to drive delivery and lead our PMO for one of our premier DC customers. You'll own end-to-end execution on key initiatives while also setting the standard for how we plan, govern, and report on work across teams.

Core Responsibilities

• Program Delivery:Lead end-to-end delivery of complex programs and projects. Keep scope, budget, and timelines on track. Spot risks and dependencies early and drive resolution
• PMO Leadership:Establish and run the Program Management Office. Define governance, reporting standards, and delivery practices. Oversee planning, resource management, and performance tracking
• Be the Glue: Central point of contact for initiative leads PMs, field staff, clients, and vendors. Keep communication clear and meetings documented. Partner across teams to maintain momentum
• Reporting & Insights:Deliver clear, consolidated reporting on status, risks, financials, and outcomes. Provide high-quality insights to support executive decision-making
• Governance & Continuous Improvement:Set up governance forums and processes that work. Continuously uplift delivery capability and PMO maturity across the organization
• Tools & Tracking:Set up and manage projects in our PM tools. Track progress, spend, and documentation. Platforms may include ServiceNow, Microsoft Project, Asana, Jira, or Smartsheets
• Stakeholder Engagement:Build strong relationships with senior leaders and cross-functional teams. Act as a trusted advisor to the Program Director and executive stakeholders
• Build and sustain collaborative relationships with IT staff, departments, customers, partners, and key stakeholders in administrative and academic units. Maintains currency on current and future business needs, university-wide technology initiatives, and leading-edge project management practices.
• Establishes foundation for each project, working with sponsors to create robust, comprehensive project charters and baseline reports. Manages communications with project stakeholder and internal project teams.
• Drives continuous improvement, overseeing accurate, well-communicated scope, and the creation of actionable schedules and budgets for each project. Reports risks that may affect work progress and recommends mitigation strategies.
• Manages productivity and effectiveness of projects with varying complexities. Creates meaningful status reports, and maintains accurate tracking logs that organize budget, time, scope, and communication details.
• Timely identifies and proactively resolves issues, creating strategies for risk mitigation and contingency planning, and escalating disruptions and dependencies to departmental leadership, as necessary.
• Owns project management methodology, applying tools, service management frameworks, and technology strategy to all projects. Utilizes pertinent change control processes, developing project progress and compliance reports, and presents regular updates by participating in project team meetings.
• Aids the cultivation of an inclusive environment and a culture of trust and transparency, sharing information broadly, openly, and deliberately. Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with diverse groups of peers, team members, and leadership. Actively embodies College values and behaviors (e.g., accountability, ethics, best-in-class customer service).
• Collaborates with team members and management, implementing effective solutions to support the Project Management Office's vision. Maintains currency with technology, standards, and best practices. Supports process improvement efforts within the team and across the IT organization.
• Oversight of development, implementation and operational excellence of project management office technology utilities and platforms that support project intake, day-to-day management of request and project work, and status/performance telemetry dashboards for stakeholder reporting. Platforms may be project management specific modules and workflow functionality of enterprise IT service management offerings, such as TeamDyamix, ServiceNow, or similar and stand-alone software/service utilities such as Microsoft Project, Asana, Jira, Smartsheets or similar.

Qualifications

• Experience: 5-7 years in program delivery and PMO leadership. Background in Financial Services, Higher Ed, or Public Sector strongly preferred
• Track Record: Proven experience delivering large-scale transformation programs in complex environments.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, IT, or related field Skills: Strong commercial acumen, structured and outcomes driven.
• PMP certification highly preferred.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience working in an academic environment or managing projects related to higher education preferred.
• Strong understanding of project management methodologies and tools.
• Ability to lead and motivate project teams, fostering a collaborative environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to interact with leadership.
• Ability to develop comprehensive project plans, manage budgets, timelines, and resources.
• Strong analytical skills to identify and mitigate risks.
• Ability to work with diverse groups, including faculty, students, and administrative staff.

NFF Disclosures

NFF offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits and flexible paid time off options, for eligible employees:

• Medical, Dental and Vision, Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account
• STD, LTD, Supplemental life insurance and ADD&D
• Comprehensive 401k plan
• Paid Time Off

NFF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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