Project Management Office (PMO) Manager

State of Washington•Thurston County – Tumwater, WA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Project Management Office (PMO) Manager leads how the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) defines its strategic plan, manages its project portfolio, conducts project management, and supports organizational change. As a senior advisor to agency leadership, the manager uses expert judgment to guide complex, cross-functional projects that improve customer experience, enhance team member effectiveness, and advance the agency’s long-term modernization goals. The role establishes PMO goals, standards, and expectations; develops the PMO team’s capabilities; oversees project selection, prioritization, resourcing, and reporting; and recommends project priorities to the Executive Leadership Team. It sets project planning and delivery policies, oversees project managers and vendor relationships, and provides executive guidance on project decisions, risks, and dependencies. The manager also oversees change management for agency projects, supports sponsors in leading change, coordinates with external partners and oversight bodies, and facilitates strategic planning and progress monitoring. The position is based within commuting distance of the DRS building in Tumwater, Washington. After demonstrating the ability to work independently, the incumbent may be eligible for part-time telework under an approved agreement. Flexible, compressed, or alternate schedules may be possible with approval. Some evening and weekend work may be necessary.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience with enterprise project and portfolio management, including independently evaluating proposed initiatives, assessing agency capacity, and recommending prioritization and sequencing strategies.
Applied knowledge of structured project management and governance methodologies, with the ability to tailor frameworks, standards, and tools to agency needs and statewide requirements.
Ability to integrate project, portfolio, and governance activities across divisions while aligning work with strategic goals, resource constraints, and organizational readiness.
Experience advising executives, sponsors, and division leaders on project viability, risk mitigation, investment decisions, and the timing and impact of major initiatives.
Typically, at least six years of professional experience; qualifying experience may come from combinations of professional employment, education, and volunteer or personal experience, and may be concurrent.
Demonstrated proficiency in leading others, project management, priority setting, collaborative leadership, judgment, organizational agility, learning and growth, and meeting the needs of others.
Must live within a reasonable commuting distance of the DRS building in Tumwater, Washington, and be able to adjust telework arrangements to attend required onsite work, meetings, or training.
Must possess work authorization that does not require employer visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from PMI or an equivalent project management credential.
Experience leading project governance using PMI-based frameworks and tailoring processes to agency needs, statewide requirements, and varying project complexity.
Proven ability to mentor project managers and team members in recognized industry standards and practices, building skills and consistency in project delivery.

Responsibilities

Lead the PMO and establish goals, work standards, and expectations for project management, portfolio management, and organizational change management.
Ensure PMO team members have the tools, training, and guidance needed to perform effectively.
Oversee project selection, prioritization, resourcing, and reporting, and recommend project priority order to the Executive Leadership Team.
Partner with the Chief Information Officer to ensure portfolio recommendations account for the resource needs of other technology efforts.
Set policies and standards for project planning and delivery, and oversee project managers to ensure consistent scheduling, risk management, governance, and reporting.
Negotiate key project terms with the Executive Leadership Team, including scope, objectives, value, budget, timeline, constraints, resources, and risks.
Oversee vendor performance, maintain relationships with vendor leadership, guide contract negotiations, and help resolve escalated vendor issues.
Identify and resolve risks, dependencies, and issues affecting projects, and elevate decisions requiring executive direction.
Oversee organizational change management for agency projects and coach sponsors on leading change, understanding impacts, and supporting adoption.
Coordinate with employers, external partners, and oversight bodies such as OCIO and OFM to align on project impacts, timelines, and readiness.
Facilitate the agency’s strategic planning process, including planning sessions and monitoring progress toward strategic plan goals and initiatives.
Lead, coach, develop, motivate, and hold PMO team members accountable.