HSCS Information Technology Project Manager Lead

Performs advance (senior-level) information technology (IT) project management work for Health and Specialty Care System (HSCS). Work involves planning and initiating projects at various levels of completion, monitoring the progress and schedule of projects, and communicating with project stakeholders, management, and other relevant parties within HSCS. Provides project milestone updates to agency leadership, stakeholders, and executive management. Identifies project risks and recommends and implements mitigation plans to reduce risks. Plans and directs project workgroups and meetings, develop communication strategies, monitor project progress and completion in accordance with budget allocation as well as ensuring vendor performance standards. The Project Manager IV will direct and supervise the work of others on the HSCS information technology team.

Work outside of regular hours may be required. Travel to other work location is required.

This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business need.

Essential Job Functions:

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Manages assigned projects varying from multiple, short, small, well-defined projects to very large enterprise-wide, multi-year initiatives through the full lifecycle of a contract. Establishes criteria, proposals, cost estimates, projections, goals and objectives and leads project evaluation activities. Prepares written scope agreements, develops Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), estimates resources and costs, tracks and manages costs, prepares project management plan and prepares progress reports for customers and higher management. Establishes comprehensive strategies and methodologies for identifying, assessing, reporting, managing, and mitigating risk for projects. Assures project completion on time, within budget, in accordance with agency and departmental standards, and customer service principles. Assists with monitoring and enforcing vendor performance standards. Conducts on-site inspections or consultations as needed. (35%)

Provides direction and supervision to a matrixed or multi-discipline project team within HSCS. Consults and negotiates with HSCS customers in providing project management services to meet customer needs with automated or business improvement solutions consistent with agency, enterprise and DIR plans, standards, and guidelines. Defines and recommends project team staffing, coordinates through appropriate management channels to obtain staff and resources, coaches, guides, and schedules team for maximum performance, provides input to team members’ performance evaluations, and manages team resources. (25%)

Performs business, systems, and/or legislative analyses, formulates logical descriptions of problems, and devises optimum solutions to meet customer needs. Researches available products or solutions on the internet or other authorized sources such as DIR, recommends purchase/selection of products/solutions to meet customer needs and fit into the agency’s strategic plans, and writes business or systems analyses and proposals. Establishes and leads Enterprise Architecture (EA) Governance frameworks to ensure all vendor solutions integrate with the long-term Technology Roadmap if applicable and assures compliance with that methodology throughout the life of the project. Consults with customers to help them assess impact on workflow and staffing, offers advice and guidance during the implementation process, provides integration services to assure appropriate hardware and software are available for seamless operation, negotiates with appropriate internal departments to coordinate and recommend optimum strategies for testing and deployment, coordinates development and execution of training plans for technical staff and end users, preparation of documentation, and transition to maintenance.(15%)

Confers with management, helps define project scope, and advises management of the status and progress of projects being conducted. Facilitates one-on-one or group projects meetings and assures meeting notes are recorded and archived. Participates in inter-agency and intra-agency workgroups as assigned. Prepares presentations using a PC and Microsoft PowerPoint or Word and delivers to varied levels of staff including internal and external executives, managers, customers, associates, and state officials. Serves as the primary point of contact for project control and communication in person, by telephone, via Microsoft Outlook e-mail, progress tracking reports, correspondence, or other approved methods. (10%)

Prepares written documents and archives including project management plans and subsidiary plans, scope agreements, business/systems analyses and proposals, standards, policies, procedures, and customer documentation for end-users or system support staff, databases, progress reports, budget reports, and lessons learned using a PC and Microsoft Project, Access, Excel, Word, Outlook, and the internet. (10%)

Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. (5%)

Knowledge of the capabilities and limitations of computer systems or management information systems.

Knowledge of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) methodologies.

Skill in using a PC and Microsoft Project, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access, or Word.Skill in business or systems analysis.

Skill in problem-solving, conflict resolution, and negotiation.

Skill in working collaboratively and cooperatively with colleagues.

Skill in writing analyses, documentation, proposals, plans, policies, procedures, standards, or reports.

Ability to work independently and deliver results in an environment of broad, consultative management.

Ability to plan, organize, schedule, assign, and monitor completion of assigned projects.

Ability to manage multiple, overlapping projects.

Ability to lead a team to achieve desired results.

Ability to present information to a variety of audiences, verbally and in writing, and to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively.

Ability to adapt to change or modify behavior in response to changes in situations or priorities.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university is preferred. Experience may be substituted for education on a year for year basis.

Must have a minimum of 4 years’ experience in project management with at least 3 years in managing large scale IT projects.

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.