IT Product Manager

The Department of Social Services is looking for an individual with a strong technical background in product management as well as prior experience in software development projects to serve as IT Product Manager with a focus on Behavioral Health and the Human Services Center.

The Product Owner for Behavioral Health and the Human Services Center (HSC) serves as the strategic leader responsible for defining, prioritizing, and guiding technology initiatives that support clinical operations, staff efficiency, patient experience, data management, and regulatory compliance. This role partners closely with division leadership, SMEs, clinicians, operational staff, and IT teams to ensure solutions align with the Department’s strategic objectives and deliver meaningful, sustainable outcomes.

The position will not be responsible for any direct reports but will work collaboratively with product users within these Divisions as well as the Bureau of Information and Technology and other stakeholders., * understanding and managing the stakeholders both internal and external that support the IT products utilized by the Behavioral Health programs;

• collaborating with the teams that are users of the products;
• build and manage product roadmaps.
• translate goals into product strategy.
• assisting in building and completing IT Strategy related projects working in collaboration with internal and external resources;
• maintain and refine product backlog;
• responsible for the strategic planning and development of IT products and solutions including defining product roadmaps, prioritize features, and oversee product development processes;
• collaborate with cross-functional teams, including development, design, and training, to ensure successful product launches;
• collaborating with stakeholders to define project scope, objectives, and deliverables, ensuring alignment with business goals and requirements;
• developing comprehensive project plans, timelines, and resource allocation, and managing project budgets to ensure successful project execution;
• leading project teams, coordinating activities, and assigning tasks to team members, ensuring adherence to project schedules and milestones;
• identifying project risks and developing mitigation strategies to minimize potential issues and ensure project success;
• communicating project progress, updates, and status reports to stakeholders and senior management, ensuring transparency and effective decision-making;
• managing changes to project scope, timelines, and requirements, and assessing their impact on project deliverables and resources;
• conducting regular project meetings and facilitating effective communication among team members and stakeholders;
• ensuring adherence to project management methodologies, best practices, and quality standards throughout the project lifecycle;
• monitoring and tracking project progress, identifying variances, and implementing corrective actions to keep projects on track;
• managing project documentation, including project plans, status reports, and documentation of project-related decisions and changes.

This position is exempt from the Civil Service Act. This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

If you have strong problem-solving and prioritization skills; excellent interpersonal and communication skills; and can work effectively with a cross-functional team, and want to make a difference in people’s lives, this is the ideal position for you., The ideal candidate will Have 5-8 years’ experience as an IT product owner or related IT field. Preference for prior experience in managing a product throughout its lifecycle (SDLC) and/or have a project management certification like PMP or similar certification.

Pulled from the full job description

• Health insurance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• Paid holidays