Non-Technical Project Manager

$76,230 - $134,148/Yr

City Of Alexandria - Alexandria, VA

Full-time

Alexandria, VA

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The Department of Project Implementation (DPI) is seeking a Non-Technical Project Manager to oversee a diverse range of projects within the City. This role encompasses the entire project lifecycle, from initial concept and initiation through to project closure. The projects managed by the Non-Technical Project Manager may involve enhancements to the City’s organizational structure, processes, systems, or the management of unique events and programs. Additionally, the Project Manager will provide project controls support for more complex capital infrastructure projects, ensuring that all projects are delivered to a standard that reflects the trust placed in public funds. The Non-Technical Project Manager is expected to possess a robust background in project management, organizational process improvement, and project controls, particularly in cost management. This position requires the ability to lead project teams with a degree of independence while ensuring compliance with City policies and procedures. The Project Manager should approach their work with a critical mindset, challenging established practices and continuously seeking new methods for improvement. Key responsibilities include managing projects within defined scope, schedule, and budget baselines, monitoring project progress, forecasting expenditures, mitigating risks, and addressing any adverse variances. The Project Manager will develop project management plans (PMP), prepare project status reports, and update PMPs as necessary. They will also provide project controls for complex capital projects, including cost, schedule, and risk management support, while assisting technical project managers. The role involves stewardship of capital funds through effective budget development, drafting procurement documents, managing vendors, and ensuring adherence to contracts and regulatory requirements. The Project Manager will engage with stakeholders, present project information to residents, outside agencies, senior staff, and City officials, and conduct project status meetings. Furthermore, they will support DPI's mission as the City's Project Management organization by developing systems, tools, processes, and training to uphold the City's Project Management standards. Continuous professional development in project management, project controls, and government organizational improvement is also a key expectation of this role.

Responsibilities

• Manage projects within the defined scope, schedule, and budget baseline.
• Monitor project progress, forecast expenditures, mitigate risks, and address adverse variances to baseline.
• Develop project management plans (PMP) and prepare project status reports, updating PMPs as needed.
• Provide project controls on complex capital projects, including cost, schedule, and risk management support.
• Support technical project managers in their project delivery.
• Steward capital funds through appropriate budget development and effective procurement document drafting.
• Manage and engage stakeholders, presenting project information to residents, outside agencies, senior staff, and City officials.
• Plan and conduct project status meetings to keep stakeholders informed.
• Develop systems, tools, processes, and training to support the City's Project Management standards.
• Seek stakeholder input, gain consensus, and make decisions in the best interest of the City and its residents.
• Engage internal and external subject matter experts to address project challenges with the appropriate level of expertise.
• Meet all certification requirements and seek coaching and assistance on unfamiliar work.
• Continuously advance professional knowledge of project management, project controls, and government organizational improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and five (5) years of related experience or any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Strong background in project management and organizational process improvement.
• Experience in project controls, particularly cost management.
• Ability to lead project teams with some independence and independent judgment.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in public administration, public budgeting, procurement contracting, and project delivery.
• Experience coordinating diverse teams and leading a team in addition to managing project staff, professional consultants, and vendors.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and analytical skills to represent data in various ways on multiple platforms.
• Experience using Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, Microsoft Excel, SharePoint, Microsoft Visio, Tableau, and other applications to create new forms, templates, and dashboards.
• Ability to manage project finances using forecasting and earned value management techniques.