Project Manager II

Position will require a hybrid work schedule, with onsite work, approximately 1-2 days per week based on business needs.Remote work days require contractor to maintain high-speed internet connection at remote location(s) and their expense.

Description:

The client is initiating a department-wide effort to modernize and centralize its grant administration information systems and related processes through the development or procurement of a comprehensive Grant Administration System.
This project is a critical component of the newly created Office of Grants Management (OGM) strategic goal to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the management of federal and state-funded grants across all program areas.

To support this complex, cross-divisional initiative, client requires a dedicated Project Manager contractor to coordinate and oversee the work of the contractor team responsible for the planning and analysis phases of the project.

These phases include :

Gathering of system, business, and technical requirements

Conducting a feasibility study

Designing the future-state system architecture

Developing cost estimates for system development/procurement and long-term maintenance

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
o Project Manager capabilities with 11 years of experience .
o Capable of managing a project with up to ten (10) or more staff and/or a project with multiple subprojects.

Project Responsibilities :
o Managing all technical components and status reporting activities of the project.
o Coordinating contractor team and stakeholder engagement in collaboration with the assigned client Project Management Office (PMO) Project Manager.
o Tracking progress toward milestones and deliverables.
o Supporting risk identification and mitigation efforts.
o Ensuring quality and alignment of system design with business needs and policy goals.

The client is undertaking a critical project to modernize and enhance our clients Grant Administration System to be used to manage the full lifecycle of state and federally funded grant programs. The existing processes and systems are outdated, relying heavily on manual workflows, spreadsheets, and disconnected tools that limit efficiency, data accuracy, and transparency.

The new Grant Administration System will serve as a centralized, enterprise solution designed to :

Streamline grant application, review, award, and monitoring processes.

Improve data management, reporting, and decision-making through integrated dashboards and performance metrics.

Enhance compliance with state and federal regulations related to financial management, auditing, and transparency.

Support improved communication and collaboration between grant program staff, applicants, award recipients, and client leadership.

Integrate with existing financial systems to ensure seamless fund management, payment processing, and reconciliation.

This system will ultimately improve services to external grantees while providing internal staff with the tools and data they need to efficiently manage multiple funding sources, grant programs, and performance reporting requirements.
The Project Manager will play a key role in guiding this high-priority initiative, coordinating business units, IT staff, and system vendors to ensure successful system design and selection. They will plan and coordinate work teams by following standard project management industry practices such as the PMI's framework with an understanding of business and technical objectives of the project, working closely with the project sponsor. They will maintain an updated project work plan, manage scope, track schedule progress via appropriate metrics, document risks and mitigation plans, and implement a communication plan. They will build an effective team, assign tasks to team members, evaluate outcomes, and communicate to stakeholders. They will be responsible for identifying, tracking, and resolving issues. They will provide technical support to project team members and rely on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish project goals.

Top Required Skills & Years of Experience:

Project Manager capabilities with 10 years of experience managing large, complex projects from start to completion.

10 years of experience with Strong knowledge of project management methodologies and proven ability to create and manage project plans, schedules, budgets, and risk logs.

10 years of experience managing a project involving multi-disciplinary teams and multiple business areas distributed throughout a large organization.

Nice to Have Skills :

Professional certification in Project Management, Lean Six Sigma, or Change Management.

Experience implementing or managing grant management systems or enterprise software.

Familiarity with financial management systems and how they interface with grant management software.

Experience working with government agencies, particularly regulatory, compliance, or funding environments.

Additional details : This position will report to the client Office of Grants Management Director and be part of a contractor team that includes a Business Analyst and a Systems Architect. The team will also be supported by a part-time Project Manager from the client PMO, who will help to connect this team to the internal stakeholders, technical resources, and subject matter experts throughout the department.

Notes :

Candidate MUST be a resident or willing to relocate to WI prior to starting the role at their own expense.
Position will require a hybrid work schedule, with onsite work, approximately 1-2 days per week based on business needs.
Remote work days require contractor to maintain high-speed internet connection at remote location(s) and their expense.

VIVA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants have an equal opportunity for placement, and all employees have an equal opportunity to develop on the job. This means that VIVA will not discriminate against any employee or qualified applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status