Position: Certified Project Manager
Location: Remote
Description:
Project management certification or successful completion of a recognized project management curriculum is required at time of submission.
The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) seeks a highly experienced individual to serve as the Child Care Systems Modernization Implementation Manager. This individual will provide strategic guidance and direct execution during the planning, procurement, and implementation phases of a multi-year childcare systems modernization initiative with a SaaS vendor.
The Implementation Manager will be responsible for ensuring IT leadership and stakeholders stay informed at all points of the transformation effort while working closely with the business area Strategic Consultant to ensure all parties involved remain aligned. The Implementation Manager will assist in defining scope, coordinating stakeholders, developing roadmaps, managing SaaS vendor engagements, and coordinating IT resources and leveraging established governance, planning, and operational structures to ensure successful implementation.
The selected contractor will operate with a high degree of independence and will leverage existing DCF subject matter experts, business leaders, and technology staff to advance the initiative.
The contractor will be expected to directly produce work products and deliverables rather than relying on dedicated project staff. Success in this role requires both strategic management and direct execution.
Project management certification or successful completion of a recognized project management curriculum is required
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Planning and Modernization Leadership
- Coordinate with the Strategic Consultant to develop and maintain an overall modernization roadmap and implementation strategy.
- Assess current-state business needs, technology systems, organizational readiness, and modernization needs.
- Identify risks, dependencies, and critical decision points requiring executive engagement.
- Recommend phased approaches for implementation, organizational change management, and business transformation.
Procurement and Vendor Management
- Collaborate in the development of procurement strategies and supporting documentation.
- Draft and coordinate Requests for Information (RFIs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Statements of Work (SOWs), and related procurement materials.
- Evaluate vendor proposals and support contract negotiations.
- Advise agency leadership on vendor selection, contracting approaches, and governance structures.
- Establish performance expectations and accountability measures for future vendors and implementation partners.
Partner Coordination and Governance
- Coordinate activities across business, policy, finance, procurement, and technology teams.
- Facilitate executive decision-making and ensure alignment among partners and stakeholders.
- Develop governance structures, decision frameworks, reporting processes, and escalation protocols.
- Prepare executive briefings, status reports, and strategic recommendations.
Program Development and Readiness
- Identify resource needs and recommend future staffing and contractor support models.
- Develop foundational project artifacts, including charters, workplans, risk registers, issue logs, and implementation frameworks.
- Support development of business requirements, process improvement opportunities, and future-state operating models.
- Establish structures necessary for transition from planning into implementation.
Expected Outcomes
Within the first 12 months, the Implementation Manager will establish the strategic, procurement, governance, and operational foundations necessary to launch the child care modernization program and transition into full implementation with selected vendors and project teams. Within the first 18 months, the first phase of implementation will be successfully delivered.
Minimal Qualifications
- Significant experience leading large-scale technology modernization or digital transformation initiatives with a SaaS vendor.
- Demonstrated experience developing and managing complex technology procurements.
- Experience with vendor selection, contract negotiation, and multi-vendor environments.
- Strong knowledge of project management, organizational change management, and systems implementation methodologies.
- Experience facilitating executive-level decision-making and stakeholder engagement.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with government program systems.
- Experience modernizing legacy systems to a SaaS platform.
- Solid understanding of cloud-based platforms, modular procurement strategies, and agile delivery approaches.
- Experience coordinating between internal teams and SaaS vendors.
- Experience establishing governance structures for large-scale modernization initiatives.
Qualification
Minimum Experience
Project Management of Large Initiatives
15
Development of Project Artifacts (plan, charter, status reports, etc.)
15
Procurement Planning
10
Prepare Written Reports
12
Strong Communication Skills
12
Prepare Executive Briefings
12
MS Project or equivalent
12
Top desired skills required for the position:
- Significant experience Leading large-scale technology modernization or digital transformation initiatives with a SaaS vendor
- Project Management (15+ years)
- Procurement Planning (10+ years)
- Written and Verbal Communication
- Critical Thinking
Nice to have skills:
- Prior state government experience
