Director-IT Project Management

Primary Purpose JOB DESCRIPTION The Director-IT Project Management is responsible for establishing and leading the strategic direction for the IT Project Management team to ensure consistent delivery of IT projects across the portfolio. This role provides visible, accountable leadership for portfolio governance, delivery discipline, financial forecasting, and executive reporting. The Director builds and develops a high-performing team of project managers and drives cross-functional alignment so stakeholders clearly understand what is needed, when it is needed, and the tradeoffs required to deliver safe, reliable, and value-driven outcomes.ResponsibilitiesPMO Leadership & Team Development:Lead, coach, and develop IT Project Managers; set clear expectations and hold the team accountable for outcomes.Build a culture of ownership, execution, and continuous improvement across the PMO.Establish role clarity, capacity planning, performance expectations, and professional development plans.Recruit, onboard, and retain PM talent (employees and contractors) as needed.Portfolio Ownership, Prioritization & GovernanceOwn the IT project portfolio and ensure alignment to enterprise priorities, operational needs, and resource capacity.Facilitate portfolio intake, prioritization, and sequencing in partnership with IT and business leaders.Establish governance routines (stage gates, steering committees, executive reviews) with clear decision rights and escalation paths.Ensure projects follow consistent standards for scope, schedule, RAID (risks/issues/assumptions/dependencies), and change control.Executive Communication & Stakeholder AlignmentProvide concise, decision-oriented reporting to ELT/leadership (progress, risks, financials, dependencies, decisions required).Translate complex technical delivery information into clear business impacts and tradeoffs.Proactively surface issues and drive timely decision-making; avoid “surprises.”Build strong partnerships across all teams, with additional focus on IT, Operations, Finance, Projects, Procurement, Legal/Compliance, and vendors.Delivery Excellence (On Time / On Scope / On Budget):Ensure strong project planning practices: estimating, scheduling, resource planning, and milestone management.Set and enforce delivery standards, including templates, tool usage, and quality expectations.Drive corrective action on at-risk projects; ensure recovery plans are realistic and actively managed.Financial Management & ForecastingOwn portfolio-level forecasting (CapEx/OpEx) and project-level financial governance.Ensure project financials are updated on a defined cadence and reconciled with Finance.Drive transparency on variances, cost-to-complete, and funding impacts; ensure changes are approved and documented.Vendor & Delivery Partner ManagementEnsure vendors are managed to contract deliverables, timelines, and performance expectations.Establish clear deliverable acceptance criteria, accountability, and escalation paths.Metrics, Reporting & Continuous ImprovementDefine and implement PMO success metrics (e.g., milestone performance, forecast accuracy, risk management hygiene, stakeholder satisfaction).Drive adoption of tools and standard reporting that improve visibility and execution. Safety, Compliance & Professional StandardsMaintain a strong commitment to safety, compliance, and operational reliability.Demonstrate tact, professionalism, and a high standard of communication in all interactions. Perform other duties as assigned.Education QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, or a related field.Experience/Specific KnowledgeA minimum of ten (10) years of experience in IT project management, with at least three (3)+ years leading a PMO and/or leading project managers (direct people leadership strongly preferred).Experience managing mixed portfolios (applications, infrastructure, security, vendor-delivered initiatives).Demonstrated success implementing governance, reporting, and delivery standards at scale.Strategic Vision: Strong strategic vision and ability to translate organizational goals into actionable project plans.Certifications, Licenses & RegistrationsMust possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers (for travel).Project Management (PMP) certification required.Competencies, Skills & AbilitiesAbility to lead and operate effectively in a complex, multi-location organization.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, applying technical and business understanding to drive practical solutions.Excellent organization, prioritization, time management, and communication skills; able to communicate effectively at all levels.Ability to facilitate executive/steering committee discussions and drive decisions on tradeoffs, resourcing, schedule, and budget.Strong interpersonal skills; able to communicate requirements clearly in writing and verbally and collaborate effectively across teams.Works independently with minimal supervision while also contributing in a highly collaborative environment.Proficient in Microsoft Office tools (e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook; Project preferred).Ability to perform the essential functions of the role and follow company policies and work schedules.Physical DemandsAll of the physical requirements listed below are those that may be necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Minimal safety hazards; general office working conditions.Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time.The employee is regularly required to use hands to type, touch, handle, or feel. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk and climb or balance. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.Working ConditionsRequired to carry a cell phone and be available to respond during working and non-working hours.The successful candidate will be required to clear a drug screen and a complete background check, including credit report for certain positions, after an offer has been extended and prior to being employed.Supervisory ResponsibilityYesPreferred Education, Experience, Certifications, Competencies, Skills, & AbilitiesAbove the minimum requirements; not required but advantageous in this position:A Master’s degree in Information Technology or an MBA is preferred.Certifications like PgMP, Agile, or ITIL are a plusCompensationThe annual salary range for this position will be $174,700-$262,100/yr. Other ResponsibilitiesThe above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed. This position may perform other duties as assigned.About UsTallgrass was named one of the Top Workplaces USA and highlighted in Colorado's Top Workplaces for the past seven consecutive years. Tallgrass is a leading energy infrastructure company focused on safely, reliably, and sustainably delivering the energy and services that power our nation and enable our quality of life.At Tallgrass, we value our teams and strive to create an environment where employees feel respected, and their contributions are valued. We aim to support employees' physical, mental, and financial well-being through a comprehensive Total Rewards Program.Industry competitive payHealth insurance package options that include Flexible Spending & Health Savings AccountsInfertility CoverageParental Leave401(k) with up to a 6% match that vests immediately plus an employer discretionary contribution of up to 4%Wellness Programs and Mental Health ResourcesEmployer-paid life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverageCritical Illness & Accident InsuranceVacation, sick days, paid caregiver leave, volunteer and bereavement paid time offIdentity theft protectionAnnual discretionary bonusGenerous Tuition Reimbursement ProgramCompany-paid holidays and floating holidaysCompany vehicle (if applicable)Employee discounts; vehicles, tires, cellular plans, and moreNetworking and employee engagement eventsPersonal development to grow your career with us based on your strengths and interestsApplication Deadline: Recruiting timelines vary by position; however, all Tallgrass positions accept applications for at least five business days from the posting date. This position is open and still accepting applications.Compensation: Compensation ranges are provided in good faith based on what we anticipate when researching wages for this position at the state and national levels. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This salary range may also be modified in the future.Notice to External Search Firms: Tallgrass does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Unsolicited referrals and resumes are considered Tallgrass property; therefore, Tallgrass will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited referral. Approved vendors may be invited to refer talent for specific positions at Tallgrass's request only. A fully executed agreement with Tallgrass must be in place and current in these cases.EEO Statement: Tallgrass complies with all Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) affirmative action laws and regulations. Tallgrass does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender Identity and expression, disability, veteran status, pregnancy status, or other status protected by law.