Virtual Project Manager Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

The Senior Project Manager is responsible for supporting multiple small to large-sized projects, including some complex projects and initiatives for the Division of Prevention. The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program is a large program in the Division of Prevention and the majority of projects will be for the WIC program. The project manager will be responsible for ensuring all deliverables are completed on time, to specification, within budget, and of high quality. This includes working with stakeholders to create clear and attainable project objectives. Project management responsibilities also include creating and maintaining project artifacts such as project status reports, charters, schedules, risk logs, meeting agenda with notes, and project budgets.
This position facilitates virtual and in-person meetings, assists with management of ongoing maintenance for existing systems as well as managing new projects, and contributes as a member of the Project Management Office.
Key skills are strong understanding of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and software development methodologies such as Waterfall, DSDM, SCRUM, XP, and Agile. Must be able to serve as an Agile scrum master to coach team members in Agile, host stand-up meetings, assist the product owner with the product backlog, remove roadblocks, and lead the team through healthy conflict and debate to meet project objectives, timelines, scope, quality, and budget.

Responsibilities include:
Manages multiple small to large-sized information technology projects based on repeatable standards and practices. This includes leading execution and delivery, ensuring all deliverables are completed on time, to specification, within budget, and of high quality. This includes managing the project timeline, identifying project risks, tracking and measuring project status, and managing contractors.
Facilitates the definition of project missions, goals, tasks, and resource requirements. By assisting in the definition of project scope and objectives, involving all relevant stakeholders and ensuring technical feasibility.
Responsible for all recurring operational work including communications, status reporting, and resource oversight. Collaborates with the team, reviewing design prototypes, reviewing completed functionality.
Review, understand, research, analyze, and proofread the business requirements and technical designs related to the software to define testing needs and approach in order for extensive, detailed, comprehensive, and well-structured test plans and test cases to be created.
Works cross-functionally to solve problems and implement changes. Resolves or assists in the resolution of conflicts within and between projects or functional areas. Manage vendor communicating and escalation.
Responds promptly to customer needs; takes a customer-centric approach to problem solving; solicits customer feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance; meets commitments; manages difficult or emotional customer situations; fosters relationships. Uses consulting skills, business knowledge, and experience to lead business / functional discussions with the ability to understand business issues and to clearly explain technical alternatives to senior business decision makers.
Manages project budget and resource allocation. Manages maintenance activities and leads the teams to ensure updates are done in a timely manner and follows the approved project management processes. Attends out of state conferences or meetings as needed.
Responsible for effectively applying and ensuring State and Agency project and software development life-cycle methodologies, policies, guidelines, best practices, and standards are adhered to.
Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

Knowledge of:
Working within an established PMO process.
Managing 3rd party implementation vendors.
Agile approaches to project management.
Considerable working knowledge of both theoretical and practical aspects of project management.
Considerable knowledge of the organization's methodologies and tools.
Considerable knowledge of the organization's policies and procedures.
Considerable knowledge of interrelationships among various internal & external organizational functions.
Proficiency with Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).
Performance Management (PM), and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Lean methodologies.
Skilled in:
Advanced project management skills.
Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to details.
Strong customer service skills.
Excellent interpersonal, written, oral, articulation, client-facing communication skills.
Extremely detail oriented.
Estimation/sizing, SOW/Change Order contracting.
Ability to:
Manage budgets for projects greater than $500K.
Balance, prioritize and organize multiple tasks.
Work collaboratively in teams and across organizations.
Synthesize feedback and adjust plans accordingly.
Build strong relationships inside and outside the organization.
Leading team(s) to design solutions for clients.
Develop and write technical documentation.
Leading team(s) to design.
Support a diverse multi-cultural workforce that reflects the community, promotes equal opportunity at all levels of public employment, and creates an inclusive work environment that enables all individuals to perform to their fullest potential free from discrimination.

Bachelor's degree plus 5 or more years of experience in project coordination and management (or equivalent experience). Project Management Professional (PMP) preferred. Arizona State Project Management Certification preferred.

  Must possess a valid level one fingerprint clearance card issues pursuant to A.R.S. 36-113.
 Driver's License.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver's License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:
Affordable medical and dental insurance plans
Paid vacation and sick time
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program)
10 paid holidays per year
Wellness program and plans
Life insurance
Short/long-term disability insurance
Defined retirement plan
Award winning infant at work program
Credit union membership
Transit subsidy
ADHS Student Assistance Pilot Program

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

To help you build a financially secure future, the State makes monthly contributions to finance your retirement benefit. The State will contribute to the ASRS in an amount equal to your contribution. In other words, you and the State will each pay 50% of total cost of the benefit. New State employees have a 27-week wait period for contributions to begin.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/ Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by emailing steven.santiago@azdhs.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation. DHS is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All newly hired employees will be subject to E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification.