Project Management Director

A government agency located in Montgomery, AL is looking for Director of Project Management to lead PMO operations. This role requires expertise in IT project management, change management, and strategic alignment to drive successful completion of a wide range of IT projects. The Director will ensure projects are completed on time, within scope, and within budget while fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Pay Rate Range: $90.00 - $100.00/hr (dependent on experience)
Work Mode: 100% onsite in Montgomery, Alabama (No remote work)
Interview Mode: MS Teams Video
Contract: Long-term contract role with the possibility to convert to a permanent position (Merit).

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the PMO, setting strategic direction and ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Align PMO with OIT and State IT strategies.
• Develop and implement PMO policies, procedures, and methodologies. Establish standard project management practices and templates.
• Oversee multiple concurrent IT projects, managing resource allocation, risk, and quality control. Track project progress and adjust plans as needed.
• Collaborate with senior executives, business stakeholders, and project managers to prioritize and execute projects. Facilitate communication and ensure compliance with relevant policies and regulations.
• Provide guidance to project managers and teams. Promote professional development and best practices. Foster a collaborative, high-performance PMO culture.
• Conduct regular project reviews and audits. Identify opportunities for improvement and implement corrective actions.
• Manage the PMO budget. Ensure optimal resource allocation and cost-efficiency. Monitor financial performance and implement cost-saving measures.
• Report project status, issues, and risks to the Director of Business Relations and Governance, Chief Information Officer, Chief Technology Officer, and other executive stakeholders. Prepare and present comprehensive reports to the executive team.

Skills Required:

• Proven expertise in IT project and program management with a strong track record of delivering complex projects on time and within budget.
• In-depth knowledge of project management methodologies and standards (e.g., EVM, PMBOK, PMI, Agile, Lean).
• Exceptional leadership and team management skills with the ability to inspire and drive high-performance teams.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities (e.g., scope, issues, risk, and corrective action plan management).
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, capable of influencing at all levels.
• Proficiency in project management software and tools, such as Microsoft Project, JIRA, or similar.

Skills Preferred:

• Advanced knowledge of change management principles and practices.
• Experience in a government or public sector environment.
• Familiarity with IT governance frameworks and compliance standards.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen, with the ability to manage budgets and resources effectively.

Experience Required:

• 10-15 years of IT and business/industry work experience, demonstrating increasing levels of responsibility and leadership.
• At least 7 years of leadership experience in a managerial role, with 5 years managing significant and complex IT projects.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and managing a PMO in a large enterprise environment, focusing on strategic alignment and performance improvement.

Experience Preferred:

• Extensive experience in the public sector or large-scale government projects, with a deep understanding of the unique challenges and requirements of such environments.
• Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and other large-scale IT implementations.

Education Required:

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Project Management certification (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) is required.

Education Preferred:

• Advanced certifications in project management or related fields (e.g., PgMP, MSP).
• Additional coursework or certifications in leadership, strategic planning, or change management.