Director It Project Management

Provides direction and guidance for WMATA’s Digital Modernization information technology projects and business functions, ensuring adherence to Department processes and policies through collaboration with senior management and the Vice President for Modernization Strategy and Digital Culture. Establishes governance, maintains standards for monitoring and controlling projects, and provides project support from planning to execution and implementation. Ensures compliance with all processes and project reporting standards, serves as senior technical expert and leader, and makes authoritative technical decisions.

Responsibilities

• Directs the Digital Modernization Project Management Office (PMO), develops the PMO Governance model, and establishes guidance and training for managing technical and business activities.
• Provides direction and guidance to IT project managers regarding PMO policies, methodologies, and project reporting requirements.
• Collaborates with senior Digital Modernization management to analyze and streamline business processes using Lean methods to drive continuous improvement.
• Manages and maintains project execution communications with senior WMATA management, steering committees, and executive sponsors; acts as the first level of escalation for unresolved issues.
• Conducts regular project measurement meetings to ensure compliance with defined project management methodology; resolves conflicts, discrepancies, and dependencies among projects.
• Reviews project deliverables and commitments to ensure compliance with Quality Assurance and acceptance criteria objectives.
• Oversees a team that plans, organizes, analyzes, and controls complex projects, ensuring resources are managed transparently, within budget, and with accountability.
• Develops plans, schedules, resource requirements, milestones, and deliverables; monitors activities and evaluates progress and accomplishment reports.
• Identifies alternative solutions to unique business problems, integrates the work of various projects and teams, and anticipates future environments.
• Leads presentations, develops financial reports, gains approval for new initiatives, and provides project management oversight.
• Stays abreast of emerging practices and trends in information technology, transportation management, and automated systems.
• Maintains positive working relationships with Digital Modernization staff and Authority leadership.
• Leads technology management improvement for enterprise resource planning, human resources, finance, procurement, logistics, transit scheduling, and other Authority-wide applications.
• Ensures Digital Modernization projects are on time, within budget, and aligned with program goals and priorities.
• Identifies performance measurements for success and methods for monitoring and measuring performance.
• Ensures projects maximize external funding sources and are adequately planned and resourced.
• Leads and manages teams overseeing consultants and contractors in compliance with WMATA’s procurement policies and procedures.
• Assists senior management in identifying opportunities for technical resource consolidation, technology efficiencies, and leveraging existing resources.
• Conducts information research, develops IT strategies, and designs solutions aligned with WMATA’s strategic plan and standards.
• Maintains and promotes awareness of safety policies and procedures, encouraging a positive safety culture.

Requirements

• Expert knowledge of Information Technology management, including current practices and trends in IT project and system management.
• Expert knowledge of the principles and practices of Information Technology project management, including Agile and Lean methods.
• Industry knowledge of state-of-the-art uses of information technology to solve business and governmental problems.
• Knowledge of business software applications, including financial, accounting, budget, human resources, payroll, systems security, and command and control systems.
• Skilled in Business Process Analysis and project management techniques to collect customer requirements, plan projects, and evaluate processes.
• Skilled in communication to convey complex technical ideas to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Skilled in innovation to find solutions to complex problems and learn from industry leaders.
• Skilled in writing to convey complex technical and non-technical ideas in executive reports, strategic documents, and policies.
• Skilled in managing complex projects with diverse teams, challenging deadlines, and requirements.
• Ability to coach, provide feedback, and assess job fit.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse groups to solve complex problems while enabling business objectives.
• Ability to execute and deliver, focusing on outputs and handling stakeholder and political complexity.
• Ability to understand others’ motivations, build trust, and create team spirit.
• Ability to energize people, provide purpose and meaning, and celebrate accomplishments.
• Ability to manage energy, channel strengths, and celebrate success.
• Ability to direct, drive vision, lead performance, and build will and skill power.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics, Computer Science, Finance, Business Management, Public Administration, Engineering, or a related field.
• In lieu of a technical or business degree, a non-technical or non-business-related degree with an additional four (4) years of experience in software development life cycle, change management, IT governance, performance metrics, or managing company-wide IT policies may be considered.
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in information systems, data processing management, and technical experience in a large organization, including senior-level management and development of major IT policies, procedures, or processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or Master’s degree in Mathematics, Computer Science, Finance, Business Management, Public Administration, Engineering, or a related field.
• Familiarity with Agile, Lean, and DevOps, and experience in a public sector environment.
• Project management certification (e.g., Certified Project Management Professional from the Project Management Institute).
• Certified Scrum Professional or Green/Black Belt Sigma certification.

Tools and Software

• Microsoft Office 365 (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Project, Visio, Word)
• Atlassian Jira, IBM Jazz, CA Clarity

Supervisory Responsibility

Supervises work of others, including planning, assigning, scheduling, and reviewing work to ensure quality standards. Responsible for hiring, terminating, training, developing, reviewing performance, and administering corrective action for staff. Plans organizational structure and job content.

About Us

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), known as Metro, is the region’s leading public transportation provider. Serving a 2,054-square-mile jurisdiction, Metro operates six rail lines, 98 stations, 126 bus routes, and Metro Access, a shared-ride paratransit service. As one of the nation’s busiest transit systems, Metro connects communities, supports economic growth, and provides safe, reliable transportation.