Sr. Program/Project Manager

• Anticipated Project Start Date: October 13, 2026 or when a Work Order Contract is fully executed.
• Anticipated End Date: August 31, 2027 

Description of Project

The Minnesota Department of Information Technology Services (MNIT) partnering with the Department of Corrections (DOC) is seeking a IT Program/Senior Project Manager for leading a complex project to ensure comprehensive functional capabilities to support the business needs of the MN Department of Corrections, horizontal and systems integration, synchronization and operability between the new capabilities (Data Management and PRISM) and all other MNIT/DOC applications, including the critical parallel capabilities being delivered within other approved initiatives. The breadth of scope of this effort extends from planning to production launch (full project lifecycle), ensuring it is delivered on time, within scope, and on budget.

At a high level, the resource will help deliver the Implementation of full Data Management capabilities for data ownership, stewardship and governance to establish data as a meaningful asset for data-driven decisions which includes build and launch of a data integration platform, infrastructure and analytics/reporting tools; OMS (PRISM) replace the existing fully customized COMS (Operational Management System) with new commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) configurable solutions to shift the DOC away from a "custom development first" approach and to support process standardization; and DOC IT - Integrate Technologies--ensure horizontal and systems integration, synchronization and operability between the new capabilities and all other MNIT/DOC applications, including the critical parallel capabilities being delivered within other approved initiatives.

Resource Need

This request is for one full-time staff augmentation resource.  Each vendor is allowed to submit one resource for consideration. 

 Mode of Interview

The State will conduct interviews. The State reserves the right to remove a resource from consideration if the resource is unavailable for interview as requested by the State.  Interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams.

Desired Skills

• 7+ years of experience managing large, complex IT projects, preferably in a large-scale enterprise environment.
• Experience managing projects through the procurement/RFP process and COTS solution implementations.
• Experience managing software development initiatives using Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid methodologies.
• Experience managing multiple concurrent projects within a larger program or portfolio.
• Experience managing projects in a matrixed, cross-functional environment.
• Experience managing internal and external project teams and stakeholders.
• Experience with vendor management and accountability.
• Experience identifying, assessing, and mitigating project risks and issues, including maintaining RAID logs.
• Demonstrated experience delivering complex IT projects on schedule and within budget.
• Experience managing projects involving cloud computing, software development, IT infrastructure, and/or cybersecurity.
• Experience managing projects in a corrections or public safety environment.
• Strong understanding of IT systems, SDLC, enterprise technology environments, and IT infrastructure.
• Experience with cloud environments and service models, including SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS, such as Azure and AWS.
• Experience with technology lifecycle management.
• Proficiency with project management and collaboration tools such as MS Project, Azure DevOps, Jira, and Confluence.
• Bachelor’s degree in information technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field.
• PMP or equivalent project management certification.

Tasks

• Project Management:
  • Lead end-to-end project management for the suite of DOC IT projects, ensuring alignment with business goals and objectives.
  • Define project scope, goals, deliverables, and timelines in collaboration with key vendor(s) and stakeholders.
  • Develop, maintain, and manage detailed project plans and schedules using approved project management tools.
  • Identify, assess, track, and mitigate project risks, issues, assumptions, and dependencies throughout the project lifecycle and maintain accurate RAID (Risks, Assumptions, Issues, Dependencies) logs.
  • Ensure effective resource allocation and manage team workloads to meet project objectives.
• Stakeholder Management:
  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including IT leadership, business units, technical teams, and external vendors, to ensure project requirements and objectives are understood and achieved.
  • Manage stakeholder expectations and provide timely project communications, including status updates, reports, presentations, and briefings, to stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
  • Facilitate resolution of stakeholder conflicts, project issues, and competing priorities, and provide recommendations to support effective project decision-making and alignment with business objectives.
• Team Leadership:
  • Lead cross-functional teams consisting of other internal and vendor project managers and business analysts, software developers, business owners and SMEs, ensuring collaboration and productivity.
• Vendor & Contract Management:
  • Manage vendor relationships and coordinate vendor activity associated with project deliverables.
  • Coordinate with State personnel regarding contract changes, deliverables, issues, and other contractual matters.
  • Ensure that vendor deliverables are completed according to contract terms and aligned with project timelines.
• Project Reporting & Documentation:
  • Ensure comprehensive project documentation, including project charters, status reports, and project plans.
  • Provide regular updates on project progress, risks, and any required changes to senior Program Managers and leadership.
  • Utilize MS Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint) for preparing reports and presentations for leadership review.