IT Project Manager Senior (Grid Operations Support)

About This Position

The ideal candidate will apply strong technical and interpersonal skills to deliver projects centered on operational technology and electric grid systems. Working closely with area-specific program managers, this role supports the utility's grid resilience and modernization goals by understanding operational drivers and ensuring effective project execution. The position serves as the primary liaison with Planning, Engineering, Work Management, System Operations, and Field Operations to align on OT needs, field readiness, and system integration requirements. The candidate will define clear objectives for operational projects and ensure that foundational activities-such as stakeholder engagement, communication planning, risk assessment, milestone development, and resource coordination are completed to enable focused and successful delivery.

This role ensures all OT projects meet established requirements, emphasizing system performance, field deployment needs, cost and resource management, and on time completion. It requires thorough documentation of each project phase and the accurate transition of operational and system information across functional teams. The position leads continuous improvement efforts for existing operational systems and processes and maintains reporting and dashboards related to project execution, operational readiness, resource use, vendor spend, and budget performance. The candidate will analyze operational requirements, translate them into functional specifications, and design cross-functional solutions while overseeing testing activities for OT and field integrated systems, including integration, performance, and user acceptance testing.

The role follows established governance across project management, OT system development, testing, operations, service management, and change management. It also participates in evaluating new grid technologies and planning long-term roadmaps that support modernization and resilience. Additionally, the position provides coaching, guidance, and task assignments to project teams to ensure strong collaboration and successful outcomes in operational environments.

Job Description:
IT Project Manager Senior

Purpose:

Under minimal supervision, this position is responsible for successful completion of large, long-range, or multiple highly-complex information technology (IT) projects at the corporate level, through matrix management, to meet schedule, budget, and quality needs of the City.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Directs and manages enterprise/corporate level IT project development from beginning to end, including highly complex or at-risk projects, submitting proposals and recommending subsequent budget, scope, and schedule changes and/or contingency plans where necessary.
• Develops project scope, cost estimates, human resource requirements, work plans, time schedules, communication plans, and makes work assignments to meet complex project or program objectives.
• Writes Request For Proposals (RFP) for external services and manages contracts and vendor performance, deliverables, and payments.
• Develops full-scale complex project plans and associated communications documents; identifies and manages project dependencies and critical path; and tracks and reports on project milestones and deliverables.
• Develops written business requirements and models.
• Provides leadership in discussions of project management department goals and objectives with IT senior management.
• Estimates the resources and participants needed to achieve project goals and, where required, negotiates with other department managers for the acquisition of required personnel from within the City of Austin.
• Defines the project success criteria and disseminates them to involved parties throughout the project life cycle.
• Effectively communicates project expectations to sponsor team members and stakeholders in a timely and clear fashion, and facilitates project management and project status review meetings.
• Develops successful transition, training plans, and recognition for resources on the project team.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation.
• Knowledge of information technology project management principles, concepts, and practices.
• Knowledge of system development lifecycle used for the development of new systems and enhancements to existing systems.
• Knowledge of application programming, database, and system design.
• Knowledge of XML and data interfaces.
• Knowledge of internet and network architecture.
• Knowledge of operating principles and information systems hardware and software.
• Skill in using project management software.
• Skill in developing process models and data flow diagrams.
• Skill in selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new concepts.
• Skill in facilitating meetings of diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to develop written business requirements and models.
• Ability to accurately identify and determine customer needs and take appropriate actions and/or steps to address identified needs.
• Ability to recognize, value, and include different perspectives, experiences, approaches, and cultures in achieving organizational goals.
• Ability to gain and maintain the trust and confidence of others and the organization through consistency and reliability.
• Ability to give, receive, or share thoughts, ideas, perspective, and data to create shared understanding.
• Ability to inspire, motivate, and influence others to achieve individual and collective goals.
• Ability to make sound decisions in a timely manner that solve issues and stand the test of time.
• Ability to recognize, plan, focus upon, and work toward what is most important or critical.
• Ability to recognize strengths and areas for improvement in others and to provide opportunities, guidance, and encouragement to build skills and capacity.
• Ability to recognize, manage, and resolve conflict efficiently and equitably.
• Ability to see a broad view of an issue or challenge across typical organizational lines and beyond the present.
• Ability to create, convey, and instill a unified vision and purpose.
• Ability to see past the moment and adapt to a rapidly changing environment.
• Ability to achieve organizational goals and objectives.
• Ability to navigate relationships involving complex, emotional, and/or value-based issues in order to influence and achieve positive results.
• Ability to define, analyze, and find solutions for difficult or complex problems.
• Ability to view the big picture.
• Ability to quickly become familiar with emerging technologies.
• Ability to identify trends as well as isolated events.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to the job, plus six (6) years of experience in a related field.
• Experience may substitute for education for up to four (4) years.
• Master's Degree in a related field may substitute for two (2) years of experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active Project Management Professional (PMP) or Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification, or the ability to obtain certification within six months of hire.
• Experience working on projects within local, state, or federal government.
• Experience leading and managing electric utility projects.
• Experience driving enterprise-level organizational change management initiatives.
• Experience overseeing contracts and managing vendor performance and relationships.
• Experience drafting business cases, statements of work, request for information/proposal and contract documents for external services and assets.

Notes to Candidate:

Location:

2500 Montopolis, Austin, TX 78741

Days and Hours:

Monday through Friday. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
40 Hour Work Week (Hybrid Available, subject to City of Austin policy)

Additional work hours may be required to support the 24-hour Utility operations, which may include evenings, weekends, holidays, inclement weather and emergency closures.

Salary:

$97,450 - $125,200 annually depending on qualifications and experience.

Working with Austin Energy provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.

Employment Application:

• The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Please be sure to detail on the application all current and previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
• The Employment Record should be complete with job titles, employment dates, job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held. Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your application.
• Rsums will not be accepted and statements such as "see rsum" will not be accepted. You may use "N/A" for fields that are not applicable.
• Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after 7 days from the date of the initial advertisement. Once the job posting has closed, applications cannot be changed.

If you are selected as a top candidate:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.
• If you are identified as a top candidate and are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
• This position requires a criminal background investigation and NERC Personal Risk Assessment.

Fair Labor Standards Act:

This position is classified as EXEMPT (Salaried). Exempt employees are not eligible for overtime compensation.

Essential:

This has been designated as an Essential Employee position. In the event of a City-designated emergency, Essential Employees provide services that impact the public health, safety, utility services, and welfare of members of the Austin community and other employees and ensure the continuity of essential operations. In such an emergency, Essential Employees may be called back in, may be required to modify their schedule, may be assigned to a City-designated work site, or may be retained on site to assist with operations and recovery.

Important Note to Applicants:
Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer-we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles - Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity - that anchor our delivery of services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference: Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
• Value and Innovation: Work in an environment where employees are valued, and innovation thrives.
• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.
• Retirement Security: Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.
• Sustainable Transportation Options: Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.
• Focus on Wellness: Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
• Career Growth: Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.
• Modern Workspaces: Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.