Sr. Project Manager-IV | W2/1099 Only | No C2C | Applicant Must Be Current WI Resident

NOTE: APPLICANT MUST BE ON OUR W2  or 1099 AND CURRENT WI RESIDENT. NOT ACCEPTING SUB-VENDORS.

Role: Certified Sr. Project Manager-IV

Location: Remote - Madison, WI

Duration: 11+ Months

Interview:  MS Teams

Job Description:

The State of Wisconsin is looking for one (1) Certified Project Manager -IV/Sr.

Must be WI resident. All work must be completed in Wisconsin.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION (PMP) OR SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF A RECOGNIZED PROJECT MANAGEMENT CURRICULUM IS REQUIRED AT TIME OF SUBMISSION. MUST BE ATTACHED TO BID.

**NOTICE - Candidates that are submitted to this posting and do not meet the required qualifications, restrictions, or requirements will NOT be allowed to be resubmitted to future re-postings of the position.  False or inaccurate submissions will be reported.

Project Details:

·       The Wisconsin Department seeks a highly experienced individual to serve as the Child Care Systems Modernization Strategic Consultant. This individual will provide strategic guidance and hands-on execution during the planning and procurement phases of a multi-year childcare systems modernization initiative.

·       The Strategic Consultant will be responsible for building the foundation of the modernization effort, including defining scope, coordinating stakeholders, developing procurement strategies, managing vendor engagements, and establishing the governance, planning, and operational structures necessary for successful implementation.

·       The selected contractor will operate with a high degree of independence and will leverage existing Agency subject matter experts, business leaders, and technology staff to advance the initiative.

·       The contractor will be expected to directly produce work products and deliverables rather than relying on dedicated project staff. Success in this role requires both strategic management and hands-on execution.

·       Project management certification or successful completion of a recognized project management curriculum is required.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning and Modernization Leadership

·       Develop and maintain an overall modernization roadmap and implementation strategy.

·       Assess current-state business processes, technology systems, organizational readiness, and modernization needs.

·       Identify risks, dependencies, and critical decision points requiring executive engagement.

·       Recommend phased approaches for procurement, implementation, organizational change management, and business transformation.

Procurement and Vendor Management

·       Lead development of procurement strategies and supporting documentation.

·       Draft and coordinate Requests for Information (RFIs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Statements of Work (SOWs), and related procurement materials.

·       Evaluate vendor proposals and support contract negotiations.

·       Advise agency leadership on vendor selection, contracting approaches, and governance structures.

·       Establish performance expectations and accountability measures for future vendors and implementation partners.

Partner Coordination and Governance

·       Coordinate activities across business, policy, finance, procurement, and technology teams.

·       Facilitate executive decision-making and ensure alignment among partners and stakeholders.

·       Develop governance structures, decision frameworks, reporting processes, and escalation protocols.

·       Prepare executive briefings, status reports, and strategic recommendations.

Program Development and Readiness

·       Identify resource needs and recommend future staffing and contractor support models.

·       Develop foundational project artifacts, including charters, workplans, risk registers, issue logs, and implementation frameworks.

·       Support development of business requirements, process improvement opportunities, and future-state operating models.

·       Establish structures necessary for transition from planning into implementation.

Expected Outcomes:

Within the first 12 months, the Strategic Consultant will establish the strategic, procurement, governance, and operational foundations necessary to launch the childcare modernization program and transition into full implementation with selected vendors and project teams.  Within the first 24 months, the first phase of implementation will be successfully delivered.

Minimal Qualifications:

·       Significant experience leading large-scale technology modernization or digital transformation initiatives.

·       Demonstrated experience developing and managing complex technology procurements.

·       Experience with vendor selection, contract negotiation, and multi-vendor environments.

·       Strong knowledge of project management, organizational change management, and systems implementation methodologies.

·       Experience facilitating executive-level decision-making and stakeholder engagement.

·       Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

·       Experience with human services, childcare, public assistance, eligibility, licensing, grants management, or other government program systems.

·       Experience modernizing legacy systems.

·       Familiarity with cloud-based platforms, modular procurement strategies, and agile delivery approaches.

·       Experience establishing governance structures for large-scale modernization initiatives.

Qualification                               Minimum Experience

·       Project Management of Large Initiatives             15

·       Development of Project Artifacts (plan, charter, status reports, etc.)              15

·       Procurement Planning     10

·       Prepare Written Reports 12

·       Strong Communication Skills     12

·       Prepare Executive Briefings         12

·       MS Project or equivalent 12

Top Required Skills:

·       Development of Project Artifacts (plan, charter, status reports, etc.) (15+ years)

·       Written and Verbal Communication

·       Critical Thinking

·       Procurement Planning (10+ years)

·       Significant experience leading large-scale technology modernization or digital transformation initiatives.

·       Demonstrated experience developing and managing complex technology procurements.

·       Experience with vendor selection, contract negotiation, and multi-vendor environments.

·       Experience facilitating executive-level decision-making and stakeholder engagement.

INTERVIEW NOTES: PLEASE NOTE: A real-time screenshot photo of the candidate MUST be uploaded to candidate''s bid upon confirming the interview.

·       Interviews will be set up shortly after the posting close date.

·       MUST provide three (3) business references for the interview. (One reference must be a supervisory level.)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

·       Candidate MUST be physically located in the United States.  International candidates/phone numbers will not be accepted.

·       Candidate must follow ALL Agency work rules

·       Candidate must be available to perform all work during the Central Standard Time (CST) business hours 9:00 am – 3 pm (or CST hours as defined by the hiring manager)

·       Candidates will be required to provide their own equipment for this position (See job description for required specifications.)

Interview process:

·       via Zoom/Teams.

Onsite, hybrid or remote:

·       WI residency required. Must be WI resident or willing to relocate within 30 days of start date at own expense.

·       90-100% remote but can require staff to come onsite as necessary with sufficient notice. Onsite work is not likely, but candidate should be prepared to come onsite if required.

Contract Duration:

·       06/30/2027, with the potential to extend for an additional term(s)

Will this position have access to FTI (Federal Tax Information)?

·       No

On Call hours required?

·       No

Will the position require any weekend coverage?  (IE: weekend maintenance)

·       No

Is this position Remote, Hybrid**, or In Person? 

·       Remote

Does this position require the candidate to provide a mobile device for use to use as part of this position (ie: iPad/iPhone/Android)?    No                    

Other Notes:

1.       Selected candidate will be required to provide personal equipment for remote work. Technical specifications of hardware are:

Home Internet Service: Minimum 20 Mbit down and 5 Mbit up.  Capability to plug in network (cat 5a or better) cable to the computer.

Windows Computers

-             Operating System: Windows 10

-             Memory: Minimum 4 GB, Preferred 8 GB+

-             Processor (CPU): Any 32-bit or 64-bit running 2 Gigahertz (GHz) or faster

-             Graphics card that supports Direct3D 11 Video

-             Installation of the latest VMware Horizon Client

Apple Computers

-             Operating System: MacOS: 10.14, 10.15, or 11

-             Memory: Minimum 4GB, preferred 8 GB+

-             Processor (CPU): Any 64-bit Intel-based Mac or ARM M1-based Mac running in emulation with Rosetta 2

-             Installation of the latest VMware Horizon Client

It is required to have full audio/video conferencing capabilities (camera and headset).

2.       ALL candidates must be located within the United States.  ALL contact information must also be domestic. Absolutely no work outside of the US is allowed.

3.       Selected candidate will not be assigned specific work-space however, may be required to report in person as needed with minimal notice.

4.       An in-person interview may be required before a final hire is made.  The hiring manager has discretion to allow phone or video interviews at any point during the process.

5.       Please provide three (3) business references for the interview.

6.       The selected candidate will be required to sign all onboarding documents as part of the onboarding process. Candidate will also be required to complete any security training as directed by the division, department, or agency.

7.       The selected candidate will be required to complete a criminal background check and any fingerprinting as required by the position.

8.       This position is budgeted for 1960 hours annually.  Hours will be prorated the first year based on start date.

9.       Agency does not sponsor work visas, either at the time of hire or at any later date

10.  Suppliers must disclose any/all levels of sub-contracting and their respective supplier name(s).

11.  Selected candidate must provide copies of any/all certifications as part of the hiring process.

Please note the qualifications for this position per the contract:

Responsible for overall coordination, status reporting, and stability of project-oriented work efforts. Establishes and implements project management processes and methodologies for the IT community to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, adhere to high quality standards, and meet customer expectations. Responsible for assembling project plans and teamwork assignments, directing and monitoring work efforts on a daily basis, identifying resource needs, performing quality review; and escalating functional, quality, and timeline issues appropriately. Responsible for tracking key project milestones and adjusting project plans and/or resources to meet the needs of customers. Coordinates communication with all areas of the enterprise that impacts the scope, budget, risk, and resources of the work effort being managed. Assists program manager(s) in partnering with senior management of the business community to identify and prioritize opportunities for utilizing IT to achieve the goals of the enterprise. Must possess extensive knowledge and expertise in the use of project management methodologies and tools, resource management practices, and change management techniques. This is a management role with human resource management responsibilities (e.g., hiring, performance management). Manages one or more cross-functional projects of medium to high complexity. A more senior role, with responsibility for multiple large, complex projects with greater impact to the enterprise. Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or other related field, or equivalent work experience. Project management certification or successful completion of a recognized project management curriculum is required. Typically has 15 or more years of IT work experience, including 4 or more years managing projects. Experience with projects in multiple technologies and functions.