The Senior Project Manager will lead the end-to-end delivery of system modernization through both discovery and implementation phases. This role is responsible for managing a complex multi-agency IT project aimed at transforming legacy processes into a modern efficient digital platform. The Project Manager will ensure the project meets its goals on time and within budget while balancing scope quality and stakeholder expectations in a public sector.
Key Responsibilities: • Oversee planning and execution of platform modernization, including coordinating discovery workshops and guiding the implementation of new systems. • Manage cross-functional teams, developers, architects, analysts, UX designers, QA, and multiple stakeholders across government agencies, ensuring effective communication and collaboration. • Define clear project scope objectives and success metrics, develop detailed project plans and schedules, and monitor progress against milestones. • Proactively identify and mitigate risks and issues, making contingency plans to keep the project on track. • Ensure compliance with federal and state IT governance, security policies, and data standards throughout the project lifecycle. • Implement robust project management practices, Agile, and/or hybrid methodologies, with regular status reporting, quality control, and change management processes. • Facilitate stakeholder meetings, steering committee updates, and user outreach to maintain alignment with business goals and user needs. • Drive organizational change management, including training, user adoption strategies, and transition plans to operational support once the new permitting system goes live.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business, or a related field.
8 years of experience in IT project management, with at least 3 years in a senior or lead role managing large-scale software implementation or modernization projects.
Demonstrated success in delivering complex public sector or enterprise IT projects, balancing scope, time, cost, and quality.
Strong knowledge of System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and project management methodologies, such as PMP, Agile, Scrum.
Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to liaise between technical teams and executive-level stakeholders.
Experience with vendor management and procurement processes in government projects.
Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and coordinate multiple agencies or departments.
Solid risk management, problem-solving, and decision-making skills in high-visibility projects.
Preferred Qualifications:
Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified Scrum Master (CSM) certification.
Prior experience with state government transformation initiatives or permitting-regulatory system projects.
Familiarity with environmental permitting processes, regulatory compliance, or public sector permitting offices is a strong plus.
Knowledge of federal and state digital initiatives, such as FAST-41 or federal Permitting Dashboard alignment and data standards.
Experience using project management and collaboration tools, such as Microsoft Project, Jira, Trello, etc.
Strong understanding of Agile frameworks and DevSecOps principles in a government context.
Change management or Organizational Change Management (OCM) experience on IT system rollouts.