Operations and Project Management Unit Manager - Term-Limited

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position serves as the operational manager for the unit and directly supervises four FTE, providing branch-wide operational leadership, supervision, and strategic governance over implementation workflows, grantmaking systems, contracting, procurement, and program operational practices across the Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Branch. The position supervises Operations and Project Management Unit staff and establishes, directs, and governs standardized operational systems, implementation frameworks, workflow management practices, project coordination activities, and operational procedures that support branch implementation across multiple funding streams and program areas. The position directs and governs operational implementation activities related to grants and contracts throughout the full implementation lifecycle, including solicitation development, operational planning, implementation coordination, negotiations, workflow tracking, amendment coordination, implementation tracking systems, operational closeout activities, and implementation support. The position designs and directs operational implementation activities between branch staff and centralized departmental units, including fiscal, procurement, contracting, legal, compliance, and human resources. The position also identifies operational risks, workflow barriers, implementation challenges, and process improvement opportunities. Develops and implements operational strategies to improve implementation quality, operational consistency, accountability, and workload management across the branch.

Requirements

Eight (8) years of relevant experience in program operations leadership, grant/contract governance, administrative workflow management, business process improvement, or operational unit supervision.
A combination of related education with a degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Health, Project Management, Healthcare Administration, Social/Behavioral Sciences, Communications, Finance, or a related field, and/or relevant experience in program operations leadership, grant/contract governance, administrative workflow management, business process improvement, or operational unit supervision equal to eight (8) years.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience supervising professional administrative/operations staff, balancing workloads across competing priorities, resolving team conflicts, and fostering a collaborative, accountable work environment.
Expertise overseeing complex grantmaking, procurement, and contracting lifecycles—including competitive solicitations (RFAs/RFPs), scope of work (SOW) negotiations, pre-routing quality reviews, and year-end closeouts.
Experience applying structured quality improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, PDSA) or change management frameworks (e.g., PROSCI) to map workflows, establish standard operating procedures (SOPs/templates), and reduce administrative processing times.
Proven ability to manage operational dependencies, resolve processing stalls, and negotiate solutions between program teams and centralized support divisions (Fiscal, Procurement, Contracts, Compliance).
Demonstrated initiative in independently investigating operational bottlenecks, navigating ambiguous organizational guidelines, and providing strategic operational advice to senior leadership.

Responsibilities

Program Operations Leadership
Unit Leadership, Supervision, and Personnel Management
Branch Leadership of Process & Quality Improvement
Branch Operational Coordination and Consultation

Benefits

Medical and dental plans.
Colorado PERA retirement options, including defined benefit plan or defined contribution plan.
Optional 401(K) and 457 retirement plans.
Employer-paid life insurance.
Short- and long-term disability coverage.
Potential flexible working arrangements
11 paid holidays per year and generous paid time off.
Free parking and access to RTD bus lines.
Tuition assistance.
Employee wellness programs.
Professional development opportunities.
Career opportunities throughout Colorado state government.
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.