Senior IT Project Manager

$175,000 - $175,000/Yr

Westat - Rockville, MD

Full-time - Senior

Rockville, MD

1,001-5,000 employees

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations

About the position

Westat is seeking a Senior IT Project Manager to join its Technology and Digital Solutions (TDS) team. This role is responsible for ensuring IT projects are completed on time and within budget while effectively communicating with stakeholders throughout all project phases. The position supports a hybrid or remote work arrangement, with some on-site requirements at Westat's Corporate offices in Rockville, Maryland, and involves travel for remote employees.

Responsibilities

• Develop and roll out standardized processes based on industry best practices for implementing, reporting, and monitoring progress toward project goals.
• Shape Westat's default project methodology, including Agile or Waterfall hybrid approaches, and recommended practices for project-level application.
• Coordinate cross-company IT initiatives leveraging diverse capabilities and expertise.
• Set project goals and develop plans to meet them.
• Develop project charters, define and control project scope, and proactively track and mitigate project risks.
• Implement tools and practices for PMO-level management and tracking to assess progress and status across a portfolio of projects.
• Manage resources and staff for projects, develop project schedules, budget estimates, and assign individual responsibilities.
• Use tools like MS Project, Smartsheets, and Jira to track project performance, provide forecasts, and status reports to management.
• Contribute to the overall strategy and implementation of technology and digital work as part of the Technology and Digital Solutions (TDS) leadership team.
• Participate in IT project and strategy meetings, organize and facilitate meetings, prepare materials, and document follow-up actions.
• Organize meetings to monitor and communicate progress on project development, including schedules and deliverables.
• Synthesize information, identify trends and issues, and conduct risk assessments for projects.
• Proactively make recommendations for senior leaders' consideration.
• Keep up to date on current and emerging technologies and best IT practices.

Requirements

• Typically requires a bachelor's degree and 10 years related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience utilizing project management software, including MS Project, Smartsheets, and Atlassian suite (Jira, Confluence).
• Demonstrated experience with project management reporting, project documentation (requirements, specifications, design documents).
• Experience with Agile methodology.
• PMP Certification required.
• Certified Scrum Master (CSM), SAFe Agile Certification, or additional similar certifications preferred.
• Knowledge of ISO and CMMI standards highly valued.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with senior IT and business leaders.
• Demonstrated organizational proficiency, with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously in a team environment.
• Strong problem solving and analytical organizational skills.

Nice-to-haves

• Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
• SAFe Agile Certification
• Knowledge of ISO and CMMI standards

Benefits

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Parental Leave
• Vacation Leave (20 days per year)
• Sick Leave (10 days per year)
• Holiday Leave (7 government holidays and 2 floating holidays per year)
• Professional Development
• Health Advocate
• Employee Assistance Program
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account