Program Manager Strategic Initiatives Jobs in Austin, TX

This posting is internal to the VR Division only.

Strategic Alignment Manager (Program Management Specialist III)
WHO WE ARE:
Texas Workforce Commission connects people with careers across the state. While we are based in Austin on the north lawn of the Texas State Capitol, we have offices statewide. We're a Family Friendly Certified Workplace with great work-life balance, competitive salaries, extensive opportunities for training and development, and fantastic benefits. While our main office is located at 1117 Trinity St, Austin, Texas, this position can be located at any one of the VR offices statewide.

TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those with H1B visas or those currently on student or postgraduate visas. You must be a Texas resident to work for the Texas Workforce Commission or willing to relocate to Texas.

WHO YOU ARE:
A strategic and proactive program management professional eager to ensure the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Division's strategic priorities are successfully translated into operational action. You are adept at taking high-level objectives and facilitating the creation of tactical action plans, navigating complex cross-functional dependencies, and establishing accountability frameworks. You thrive in an environment where you can apply your expertise in strategic planning, project/program management, and performance analytics to positively impact program improvement. You are an initiative-taker, a thoughtful problem-solver, and a clear communicator, committed to fostering effective working relationships across all levels of the organization to mitigate "initiative drift."

WHAT YOU WILL DO:
The Strategic Alignment Manager performs highly complex (senior-level) program management specialist work within the Strategic Alignment and Program Improvement (ALIGN) department. Work involves leading the development and implementation of strategic and action plans to accomplish high-level program performance targets. A primary focus of this role is the strategic cascade: ensuring that program managers across the division develop tactical plans aligned with statewide objectives and are held accountable for their execution. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude in the use of initiative and independent judgment. Travel up to 15% of the time is required.

YOU WILL BE TRUSTED TO:
-Lead the development and documentation of the VR Program's strategic and action plans, ensuring they meet specific performance targets and long-term objectives.
-Establish the framework and methodology for the "strategic cascade," ensuring high-level division goals are broken down into actionable, measurable plans at every management level.
-Oversee the implementation of strategic initiatives across the VR Program, ensuring that enterprise-level priorities move effectively from the planning phase to full execution.
-Identify potential risks, dependencies, and "initiative drift," working cross-functionally with other core centers to mitigate obstacles to success.
-Develop and maintain systems to track the execution of performance action plans developed by managers.
-Lead the process for holding managers accountable for achieving program performance targets, identifying gaps in execution, and facilitating course-correction strategies
-Direct and manage high-impact, complex initiatives that arise from program performance priorities or identified strategic gaps.
-Provide expert advice and recommendations to executive leadership and management to maximize program outcomes and address systemic gaps.

YOU QUALIFY WITH:
-Extensive experience in program management, strategic planning, and operational execution, with a documented history of developing, implementing, and cascading strategic plans within a large-scale organization.
-Direct experience establishing accountability frameworks and monitoring manager-level execution of performance action plans.
-Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in a field relevant to the assignment (e.g., Business, Public Administration, Management). Experience and education may be substituted for one another.

YOU ARE A GREAT FIT WITH:
Knowledge of:
-Advanced strategic planning methodologies, project/program management theories, and change management practices.
-Deep understanding of systems used to evaluate program performance.
Skill in:
-Cascading Strategy: Proven ability to take high-level objectives and facilitate the creation of tactical action plans for others to execute.
-Managerial Accountability: Identifying measures of performance and holding others accountable for deliverables and milestones.
-Exceptional oral and written communication of complex strategic concepts to a variety of stakeholders.
-Critical decision-making and analyzing program-related information/data to address risks and gaps.
Preferred Certifications:
-Certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP) or Program Management Professional (PgMP).
-Certification in Strategic Management or Performance Management.
YOU GAIN:
-A Family Friendly Certified Workplace. 
-Competitive salary: $9,000.00
-Defined Retirement Benefit Plan
-Optional 401(k) and 457 accounts
-Medical Insurance
-Paid time off, including time for vacation, sick and family care leave
-Additional benefits for active employees can be found at https://www.ers.texas.gov/Active-Employees/Health-Benefits. 

VETERANS:
Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs! Go to www.texasskillstowork.com to translate your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications, and skill sets. Also, you can compare this position to military occupations (MOS) at the Texas State Auditor's Office by pasting this link into your browser: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_ProgramManagement.pdf. 

HOW TO APPLY: 
To be considered, please complete an Application for Employment and apply on Taleo. TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those with H1B visas or those currently on student or postgraduate visas. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. A position utilizing this classification will be designated as security sensitive according to the Texas Labor Code, Section 301.042.