Project/Program Manager - Level 4

Senior Project Manager (SPM)To plan, execute, and finalize current ongoing projects according to strict deadlines and within budget. This includes acquiring resources and coordinating the efforts of team members and third-party contractors or consultants in order to deliver projects according to plan. The SPM will also define the project's objectives and oversee quality control throughout its life cycle.General ResponsibilitiesAssist agency executive management, division directors, and information technology (IT) staff and leading project tasks, resources, including State personnel and deliverables.Use appropriate project management tools, reports, templates, mentoring, training, and coaching to IT project teams.Work directly with agency staff, as well as vendors and, when necessary, other state agencies in fulfilling and carrying out the requirements of assigned IT projects.Utilize project management best practices, including risk management, quality management, change management, change control and communication.Manage by providing leadership, collaboration, supervision, training, guidance and support to all IT project team members on assigned projects.Lead the effort for ensuring agency compliance with the State's project management policies and standards.Assist in the "translation" of that vision into business requirementsBuild and manage relationships with business leaders to understand their vision and goalsManage multiple key projects with significant scope and complexity simultaneouslyOrganize and lead matrixed teams to successfully deliver on programsSynthesize the business and technical landscape into a sound project strategy and execution planCreate a communications process to ensure stakeholders are aware of status, risks, and opportunitiesCultivate trust with all program stakeholdersDrive execution of project and program deliverablesFormulate mitigation strategies and recommending solutionsImprove delivery and operational processes to optimize performance and value over timeInteract with senior leaders across a highly matrixed environment in both IT and business communitiesOversee QA activities to ensure project deliverables meet/exceed established standardsPrepare and deliver presentations regarding program status to key stakeholdersProvide risk management and issue/problem resolution as requiredSynchronize and manage cross-project interdependenciesRelease Coordination ResponsibilitiesPlan and coordinate all phases and activities involved in the release of a system or system update into the production environmentFacilitate release meetings and develop the release recommendation and release deployment plan based on input from stakeholders project teamsIdentify priorities, conflicts, dependencies, and risks for a releaseConfirm the release deployment plan is followed and that all release deliverables (usually in the form of Release Activities or entry/exit criterion) have been completed inline with the release dates and deadlinesMaintain and track release notes, approvals, communications, contact lists and pre and post-release verification activitiesCoordinate and schedule key change to production activities. This includes the tracking of all elements with team leads as the project moves through testing regions into production. Accommodate a flexible schedule as most releases occur outside of regular business hours.Support release execution by monitoring of each phase of the release. Validate the release as it progresses thru various release gates and test phases, alerts appropriate stakeholders of any errors or issues that need to be addressed.Provide release coordination and communication during and after deployment.Create requests for change (RFC to production) and obtains appropriate approvals.Facilitate emergency releases from production incident identification to incident closure after release.Verify capture of acceptance/signoff on deliverablesSkills/Experience RequiredAbility to manage multiple projects and meet deadlinesAbility to work with shifting priorities while prioritize needsAbility to interact and communicate effectively with individuals at all levelsStrong oral and written communication skillsPrior project management experience