SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER
About The Position
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead complex, multi-year initiatives focused on program implementation and stakeholder management. This role is crucial for translating policy and program intent into operational reality, requiring strong coordination across program offices, clear decision-making, and disciplined follow-through. The Project Manager will oversee cross-program implementation efforts from planning through launch and stabilization, building deep knowledge of initiative requirements and serving as a central connector among partners. The position utilizes practical project management tools to ensure clarity and accountability. This is not an IT systems project manager position.
Requirements
- 7+ years of experience leading large, multi-workstream initiatives with external partners and executive visibility.
- Demonstrated ability to drive cross-functional coordination, facilitate productive meetings, and move decisions to closure.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including concise status reporting and stakeholder-ready documentation.
- Experience using project controls and tools (workplans, RAID logs, RACI, change control, decision/action tracking).
- Ability to learn complex program content quickly and build practical SME-level understanding over time.
- Ability to work independently, manage ambiguity, and maintain momentum across competing priorities.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in Medicaid, CMS-facing initiatives, managed care environments, or health and human services programs.
- Experience with Section 1115 demonstrations/waivers or similar federal-state program implementation.
- Familiarity with government operations, procurement/vendor coordination, or compliance/regulatory implementation.
- PMP or similar project management certification.
Responsibilities
- Lead and facilitate initiative workstreams, workgroups, and governance forums; prepare agendas, materials, and decision prompts.
- Develop and maintain integrated project plans (scope, milestones, dependencies, owners, deliverables, and timelines).
- Build initiative-specific SME knowledge (policy intent, operational workflows, compliance requirements) and translate requirements into actionable tasks.
- Establish and maintain project artifacts: RACI matrices, RAID logs (risks/assumptions/issues/decisions), action trackers, and status reports.
- Identify risks and issues early; drive mitigation plans, escalation paths, and rapid problem-solving with accountable owners.
- Coordinate across DHS program offices, the Secretary’s Office, county partners, providers, MCOs, and other Commonwealth agencies as needed.
- Support external-facing coordination where applicable (e.g., CMS touchpoints for Medicaid initiatives) by organizing materials, tracking commitments, and ensuring follow-through.
- Support change management: communications planning, stakeholder mapping, training readiness, and launch/stabilization checklists.
- Ensure documentation is complete and decisions are recorded, including rationale, approvers, and downstream implications.
- Coach junior PMs, strengthen governance, and independently drive complex initiatives with minimal oversight.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
