Director It Project Management

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Director, Information Technology Project Management is responsible for providing direction and guidance regarding the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's (WMATA) Digital Modernization information technology projects and business functions ensuring adherence to Department processes and policies through close collaboration with WMATA Digital Modernization's senior management and the Vice President for Modernization Strategy and Digital Culture. The incumbent establishes the governance and maintains standards for monitoring and controlling projects. The Director provides project support at all stages from planning to execution and implementation. The incumbent ensures compliance with all processes and project reporting standards. The Director performs the role of senior technical expert and leader for the Digital Modernization organization and makes technical decisions that involve the authoritative interpretation of information technology policies and standards. The incumbent has the authority to deploy most information resources related functions across the Authority. The incumbent uses expert judgment identifying areas that may need further development or study and evaluates the significance and impact of new developments in information technology.
Principal Job Duties

• Directs the Digital Modernization Project Management Office, develops the PMO Governance model and establishes the guidance and training for managing the technical and business activities of the PMO. Provides direction and guidance to the IT project managers regarding PMO policies, methodologies and project reporting requirements
• Works closely with senior Digital Modernization management to ensure all projects analyze existing business processes and streamline new business processes using Lean methods to drive continuous improvement, a long-term approach to systematically achieve small, incremental changes in processes to improve efficiency and quality
• Manages and maintains project execution communications with senior WMATA management, steering committees and the executive sponsors. Acts as the first level of escalation for issues that cannot be resolved within the project or Project Management Office. Informs the EVP & Chief Digital Officer or her/his designate of project resource requirements.
• Conducts regularly scheduled and weekly project measurement meetings to ensure that all projects are planned and executed in compliance with defined project management methodology. Resolves deviations from the Project Plan; identifies and resolves conflicts, discrepancies and dependencies among projects. Reviews project deliverables and commitments to ensure that deliverables are compliant with Quality Assurance and acceptance criteria objectives.
• Manages a team that plans, organizes, analyzes, evaluates, and controls projects to complete complex projects effectively. Ensures that resources are managed with transparency of costs, accountability and within budget. Oversees the development of plans and schedules, resource requirements, milestones and deliverables. Monitors activities and evaluates progress and accomplishment reports. Identifies alternative solutions to unique business problems in projects, integrates the work of various projects and teams; predicts the impact on future processing and anticipates future environments. Leads presentations, develops financial reports, gains approval of proposals for new initiatives, and provides effective project management support and oversite.
• Keeps abreast of emerging practices and trends in information technology, transportation management and bus and rail automated systems. Maintains a positive working relationship with Digital Modernization staff and Authority leadership. Leads Digital Modernization project managers and user community with technology management improvement for enterprise resource planning, human resource, finance, procurement and logistics, transit scheduling and performance and other Authority-wide applications.
• Ensures that the implementation of Digital Modernization projects is on time, within budget and in alignment with program goals and priorities. Ensures that Authority technology direction and technology standards are cost effective and beneficial. Identifies performance measurements for success and methods for monitoring and measuring performance. Identifies measurable performance improvements expected to result after the implementation of the plan and project. Ensures that projects are adequately planned, allocated with resources, and that they maximize external funding sources.
• Leads and manages teams who manage the day-to-day activities of consultants and contractors in compliance with WMATA's procurement policies, standards, regulations and procedures and provides management review and oversight for all projects.

Other Duties

• Assists Digital Modernization senior management in the identification of opportunities for technical resource consolidation, technology efficiencies, and leveraging existing technology and resources.
• Assists Digital Modernization senior management by conducting information research and planning, developing information technology strategies, and designing information technology solutions that align with Its strategic plan and standards.

• Maintains and promotes awareness and accountability with safety policies and procedures while performing job functions. Promotes a positive safety culture and encourages reporting of safety concerns consistent with our Agency Safety Plan, other regulatory requirements within the Safety Management System and just culture principles.

The functions listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Knowledge

• Expert knowledge of Information Technology management, including current practices and trends in Information Technology project and system management.
• Expert knowledge of the principals and practices of Information Technology project management, including knowledge of Agile and Lean methods
• Industry knowledge, the knowledge of State-of-the-art uses of information technology to provide solutions to business and governmental problems
• Knowledge of business software applications and System including business, financial, accounting, budget, human resources and payroll software applications and systems as well as systems security, command and control

Skills

• Skilled in Business Process Analysis and project management techniques to collect customer business requirements, plan projects, organize and evaluate processes and systems
• Skilled in communication to be an effective presenter and public speaker, able to convey complex technical ideas to technical and non-technical audiences
• Skilled in innovation in finding solutions to complex problems, thinking outside of the box and learning from industry leaders
• Skilled in writing to convey complex technical and non-technical ideas in the forms of executive reports, strategic documents and policies
• Skilled in Project Management, managing complex projects with a diverse team of people, challenging deadlines and requirements

Abilities

• Ability to coach, to provide regular and useful feedback, focus forward, and assess job fit
• Ability to collaborate, able to work with a diverse group of people with both technical and non-technical backgrounds in order to solve complex problems while enabling the business
• Ability to execute and deliver, to focus on outputs, avoid fire-fighting, and handle stakeholder and political complexity
• Ability to understand others' motivations, build trust, and create team spirit
• Ability to energize people, give hope, provide purpose and meaning, and celebrate accomplishments
• Ability to manage energy successfully, channel their own strengths, and celebrate success
• Ability to direct, to drive the vision, lead performance, and build will and skill power

Machine, Tools, Equipment, Software, Hardware Required

• Microsoft Office 365 (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Project, Visio and Word)
• Atlassian Jira, IBM Jazz, CA Clarity

Supervisory Responsibility
Supervises work of others, including planning, assigning, scheduling and reviewing work, ensuring quality standards. Is responsible for hiring, terminating, training and developing, reviewing performance and administering corrective action for staff. Plans organizational structure and job content.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Education

• A Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics, Computer Science, Finance, Business Management, Public Administration Engineering or a related field.
• In lieu of a technical or business degree, a non-technical or non-business -related degree an additional four (4) years of experience in software development life cycle, change management, information technology governance, performance metrics, managing and implementing company-wide information technology polices may be considered

Minimum Experience

• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in information systems, data processing management and technical experience in a large organization. This must include senior level management and extensive experience in the development of major information technology policies, procedures or processes.

Minimum Certification/Licensure

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or Master's level degree in Mathematics, Computer Science, Finance, Business Management, Public Administration Engineering or a related field
• Familiarity with Agile, Lean and Dev Ops and experience in public sector environment is a plus
• Project management certification (e.g. "Certified Project Management Professional" per Project Management Institute) is highly desirable
• Certified Scrum Professional, Green/Black belt sigma are also highly desirable.

ABOUT US

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), known as Metro, is the region's leading public transportation provider. Serving a 2,054-square-mile jurisdiction, Metro operates six rail lines, 98 stations, 126 bus routes, and Metro Access, a shared-ride paratransit service. As one of the nation's busiest transit systems, Metro connects communities, supports economic growth, and provides safe, reliable transportation.

Evaluation Criteria

Consideration will be given to applicants whose resumes demonstrate the required education and experience. Applicants should include all relevant education and work experience.

Evaluation criteria may include one or more of the following:

• Skills and/or behavioral assessment
• Personal interview
• Verification of education and experience (including certifications and licenses)
• Criminal Background Check (a criminal conviction is not an automatic bar to employment)
• Medical examination including a drug and alcohol screening (for safety sensitive positions)
• Review of a current motor vehicle report

Closing

WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law.

This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview.