IT Project Manager Senior Specialist

Full Job Description

IT Project Manager Senior Specialist
At the Department of Commerce, we’re reimagining what’s possible in government. We’re builders, thinkers, and change-makers, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact. From unlocking critical funding to fueling inclusive economic growth, we’re turning big ideas into real-world solutions that uplift people and places.

Our agency’s strength lies in the diversity of our workforce and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work.

We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes.

We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact.

This job is a commitment to reshape systems so they work better for everyone. If you’re ready to challenge the status quo and build meaningful connections, we want to meet you.

Let’s build what’s next, together.

The Innovation and Technology Division (ITD) at the Department of Commerce supports the agency’s mission by delivering secure, modern, and innovative technology services that drive operational efficiency and digital transformation across all divisions. The division is responsible for maintaining core information technology (IT) infrastructure, supporting enterprise applications, and aligning technical solutions with strategic agency goals.

The IT Division supports the entire agency through three primary sections:
• Digital Innovation & Enterprise Cloud Platforms
• IT Operations
• Enterprise IT Governance and Risk

Within this structure, the IT Project Manager Senior Specialist serves as a senior-level project leader.

The IT Project Manager Senior Specialist serves as the senior authority for IT project and program delivery within the Department of Commerce, leading high-visibility, complex initiatives that span multiple divisions and impact agency-wide operations. As an IT Project Manager Senior Specialist, the incumbent is responsible for the strategic oversight and tactical execution of technology projects that align with the agency’s mission and long-term goals.

This role requires mastery of project management principles, including resource planning, risk mitigation, customer engagement, and performance measurement. The incumbent independently manages cross-functional project teams, integrates new technologies, and ensures compliance with statewide IT governance frameworks. The position also provides expert consultation to executive leadership, translating strategic business needs into actionable project plans and deliverables.

The work is multifaceted and requires advanced knowledge of IT systems, organizational change management, and enterprise-level coordination. The incumbent exercises a high degree of discretion and judgment, often serving as the single point of accountability for project success and as a mentor to other project managers across the agency.

The position guides cross-functional teams and manages high-impact initiatives that are critical to the agency’s digital transformation. As a project lead, this role provides direct technical guidance, assigns tasks, sets priorities, and monitors progress to ensure that business objectives, technical solutions, and strategic priorities are consistently aligned and achieved.

This position is based in Olympia, WA - and may require attending in-person meetings.

Requirements

Provide strategic leadership and hands-on management of enterprise-level IT projects and programs that are critical to the Department of Commerce’s mission and service delivery.
Tasks include:
• Initiate, plan, execute, monitor, and close complex IT projects using formal project management methodologies.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project documentation including charters, work breakdown structures, risk registers, and communication plans.
• Define project scope, objectives, deliverables, and success criteria in collaboration with executive sponsors and business owners.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, including internal staff, contractors, and external partners.

Ensure consistent, transparent, and accountable project execution through the development and enforcement of governance frameworks and performance standards.
Tasks include:
• Define and implement project governance structures, including steering committees and escalation protocols.
• Monitor project performance using KPIs, dashboards, and earned value metrics.
• Conduct project health assessments, audits, and post-implementation reviews.
• Ensure compliance with WaTech policies, state IT standards, and agency-specific governance requirements.

Act as one of the highest-level project management experts within the agency, providing strategic direction, mentorship, and technical guidance to project teams and leadership.
Tasks include:
• Provide expert consultation to executive leadership on project prioritization, resource allocation, and risk management.
• Mentor and coach project managers and team leads on best practices, tools, and methodologies.
• Represent the agency in statewide project management forums, workgroups, and interagency initiatives.
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of internal project management standards and templates.

Bridge the gap between executive vision and technical execution by converting strategic goals into actionable project plans and deliverables.
Tasks include:
• Facilitate workshops to elicit, document, and validate business requirements.
• Translate business needs into technical specifications and project deliverables.
• Collaborate with IT architects, developers, and analysts to ensure solution feasibility and alignment.
• Prioritize and sequence project work based on business value and resource availability.

Safeguard project success and organizational resilience by proactively managing risks and ensuring alignment with continuity and compliance frameworks.
Tasks include:
• Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks and issues through formal risk management processes.
• Develop and maintain contingency and continuity plans for critical projects.
• Ensure alignment with the agency’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and disaster recovery protocols.
• Monitor compliance with data privacy, cybersecurity, and procurement regulations.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
Eight (8) years of combined professional IT experience in the following IT disciplines:
1. Project Management – Leading cross-functional technology initiatives, developing project plans, managing resources, and ensuring compliance with statewide IT governance.
2. Policy and Planning – Developing and maintaining IT policies, conducting compliance analyses, supporting audits, and contributing to strategic IT governance
3. System Administration – Overseeing the deployment, configuration, and maintenance of enterprise IT platforms; implementing secure system configurations and patching strategies; automating remediation workflows; collaborating with infrastructure teams to integrate security controls; and ensuring compliance with standards throughout the project lifecycle.
OR
Associate’s degree in IT program or closely related field and six (6) years of recent professional experience listed above.
OR
Bachelor’s degree or higher in Information Technology program or closely related field and four (4) years of recent professional experience listed above.

Experience must include one (1) year of leading IT professionals or consulting as a technical lead and can be obtained concurrently with other professional experience listed above. Experience in effectively communicating and aiding a diverse set of information technology peers.

Preferred Qualifications:
- Project management certification/training (PMP®, CSM, etc.)
- Change management certification/training (Prosci, etc.)

To be considered for this position the following are needed:

• A complete and detailed online application.
• A cover letter (enter online) - that details how your skills and experience make you an ideal candidate for this position
• At least three professional references (enter online).

For questions about this recruitment, please contact our recruitment team via email: comrecruitment@commerce.wa.gov - please reference the job number in your message.

Additional Information

This position is based in Olympia, WA and occasional travel to Commerce’s Olympia or Seattle office buildings or in-state travel to attend events or meetings may be required. If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remotely or have a hybrid schedule.

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.

Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at careershelp@des.wa.gov.

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity
The Washington State Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may email Human Resources at Human.Resources@commerce.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

Department of Commerce also offers a competitive benefits package including: medical and dental insurance benefits, retirement and deferred compensation plans, 11 paid holidays each year, 14-25 vacation days per year (depending on length of employment), 8 hours of sick leave per month (if full time employed), bereavement leave, an employee assistance program, as well as other benefits. Please see the Benefits Tab for more details.