Senior Project Manager

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead large-scale IT initiatives for the State of Michigan. The successful candidate will oversee cross-functional teams, manage project scope, schedule, and budget, and ensure alignment with enterprise standards. This role requires strong leadership, communication, and change management expertise (ADKAR/Prosci) to drive adoption, manage risks, and deliver complex, high-visibility projects successfully. Key Responsibilities: Provide strategic oversight, leadership, and accountability for large-scale IT projects involving 20+ team members and executive-level coordination. Ensure alignment with State of Michigan project management methodologies (SUITE, investment management, and systems engineering methodology). Lead cross-functional teams through all phases of planning and execution, including integrated schedules, risk management, and budget tracking . Monitor and report on project progress related to scope, quality, schedule, and budget; escalate issues/risks as needed. Support long-term release planning to meet enterprise strategic goals. Collaborate with IT and business stakeholders to evaluate requirements and design solutions that align with SOM standards and industry best practices. Apply structured change management practices (ADKAR/Prosci) to ensure stakeholder alignment and adoption. Manage vendor-supported projects with integrated technical components and diverse stakeholder groups. Technical Competencies: Knowledge of APIs, system interfaces, and multi-system integrations . Understanding of IT infrastructure components (firewalls, VIPs, F5 listeners, ports). Familiarity with networks, servers, storage, web platforms, and cloud/virtual environments . Ability to collaborate with technical teams and vendors on solution design, deployment, and issue resolution . Change Management & Stakeholder Engagement: Integrate change management principles from project initiation. Collaborate with stakeholder engagement leads on communication plans, training, and readiness monitoring . Support stakeholders across all levels to ensure adoption and reduce resistance to change. Top Skills & Experience: 5+ years of project management experience. Experience with ADKAR (Prosci) Framework . Proven ability to lead large, cross-functional teams in complex environments. Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills with experience engaging Agency Leadership. Experience managing vendor-supported projects with integrated technical solutions. Work Arrangement: Hybrid: Onsite from day 1, two days per week (no remote option). Local candidates only (must be within 2 hours of Lansing, MI at submission). Duration: 1 year, extension likely. Compensation: W2 – $75/hr. (Full Time) C2C – $90/hr. (Contract).