MDOT - Project Manager 3

Title: Project Manager 3

Location: Lansing, MI

• Interview Process: Interviews will be conducted in person at the Lansing, MI office.
• Duration: 1 year with possible extension.
• Hybrid: Resource will be working a hybrid schedule. NO REMOTE ONLY OPTION. Will need to be onsite from day 1, two days a week (Tuesday/Wednesday).
• Local candidates only. Candidates must reside in the State of Michigan by the time of submission.

Job Description

The team is looking for someone who is more independent and has experience with conducting work intakes and setting up their own governance structure. This role is for an Agile Release Management, Cold Fusion Development Project. The ideal candidate should have previous extensive experience setting up and working on agile projects from start to finish.

If possible, please include a Project Log/Portfolio for the submission. There is no specific formatting needed. The manager is looking for a list of the projects worked on, the role(s) played, and some of the work completed. If uploaded, this should be separate from the resume.

Job Summary

This position provides oversight, leadership, accountability, and project management functions for large strategic projects and programs with high visibility at the Agency Executive level.

These projects and programs require a fully dedicated project manager due to the level of complexity, degree of intricate detail, and accountability to executive leadership. Strategic projects typically have a large diverse set of stakeholders, utilize vendor participation, require coordination of multiple complex schedules and significant integration with other systems.

Strategic projects typically have durations of 2 years or longer with 50 or more team members, require communication at the Agency Executive level, and have significant risk.

This position will ensure consistency with the project management methodology, perform long-term release planning based on organizational direction, regularly interact with project management teams for status of budget, quality, and schedule, escalate issues and risks as needed to executives, and exercise project quality control activities to ensure project scope expectations are met.

Job Responsibilities

• Manage direct engagement with stakeholders and vendors, dedicating approximately 15-20% of time to executive-level communication, including high-level project oversight, stakeholder alignment, and leading monthly sponsor meetings to provide project health updates.
• Serve as a central point of coordination between product owners, development leadership, and business stakeholders to ensure clarity in release scope and expectations.
• Demonstrate a proven track record of taking ownership of program or operational functions, including designing intake models, defining governance structures, and driving execution independently without requiring significant direction.
• Provide planning, staffing, and reporting to ensure the successful completion of assigned projects according to the sponsor's goals and objectives. Planning, staffing, and reporting should adhere to the project management methodology and the organization's project prioritization process. Planning, staffing, and reporting span the entire lifecycle of the project from initiation to closeout.
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently in ambiguous environments, establishing work intake processes, governance frameworks, and operational procedures with minimal oversight.
• Perform miscellaneous functions as needed to contribute to the overall operation and objectives of the organization.
• Be a highly self-directed professional capable of assessing organizational needs, building governance and work intake processes from the ground up, and creating sustainable operating models that enable effective prioritization, decision-making, and execution.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience working effectively in team environments within matrix organizations.
• 5+ years of experience resolving complex, high-priority conflicts and competing requirements.
• 5+ years of experience applying Project Management principles, methodologies, and best practices.
• 5+ years of experience with system development methodologies for building new systems and enhancing existing information systems.
• 5+ years of experience communicating stakeholder needs clearly and effectively.
• 5+ years of experience communicating across teams, building consensus, facilitating working sessions, and negotiating outcomes.
• 5+ years of experience managing stakeholder relationships, maintaining positive interactions, and resolving issues.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working in a government or public sector environment is preferred.
• Experience in multiple relevant roles, such as Project Manager, Program Manager, Project Coordinator, or similar leadership/support roles, is preferred.