Senior Project Manager

The Senior Project Manager leads the planning, execution, and delivery of complex health and human services program implementations driven by federal and state policy, regulatory change, and program reform. The Senior Project Manager coordinates multidisciplinary, matrixed teams; manages relationships with state agency clients and federal partners; and ensures implementation activities are delivered on time, within scope, and in full compliance with applicable federal and state requirements. Proven experience managing multiple complex projects simultaneously is required.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end planning and execution of complex program implementations, including new program launches, regulatory changes, operational redesigns, and federal mandate compliance efforts.
• Develop comprehensive implementation plans, integrated project schedules, and operational readiness frameworks spanning policy, operations, training, technical teams, and stakeholder engagement.
• Establish and maintain project governance structures, including steering committees, executive oversight forums, and decision-making frameworks.
• Monitor project budgets and funding timelines, ensuring alignment between implementation activities, funding availability, and contractual obligations.
• Support the translation of federal and state regulatory requirements into actionable implementation tasks, timelines, and accountability structures.
• Coordinate activities across multiple workstreams and organizational units, maintaining alignment throughout the project lifecycle.
• Manage competing priorities and concurrent project commitments effectively.
• Ensure implementation activities align with statutory mandates, regulatory requirements, and federal approval processes.
• Facilitate design sessions to define workflows, eligibility rules, benefit structures, and service delivery models.
• Manage projects funded through federal grant mechanisms, ensuring compliance with grant terms, conditions, and reporting requirements.
• Develop and execute stakeholder engagement and communication plans.
• Facilitate project meetings, workgroups, and executive briefings; prepare clear and concise status updates, decision memoranda, and implementation progress reports.
• Manage relationships with federal partners, advocacy organizations, service providers, provider associations, and other external stakeholders as required.
• Lead and coordinate matrixed project teams comprised of subject matter experts, policy analysts, program specialists, technology teams, and operational staff.
• Drive accountability within cross-functional teams without direct supervisory authority by establishing clear roles and expectations.
• Oversee development of high-quality implementation deliverables, including implementation plans, operational readiness assessments, policy and procedure documentation, training materials, and transition plans.
• Manage scope, change control processes, risks, and issues, escalating critical items as appropriate.
• Conduct root cause analysis and develop corrective action plans to address implementation barriers and compliance concerns.
• Monitor cross-project dependencies to ensure proper sequencing and coordination.

Required Credentials and Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of experience managing complex, matrixed project implementations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and coordinate cross-functional project teams in complex organizational environments without direct line authority.
• Experience developing comprehensive project management artifacts, including integrated project schedules, risk registers, stakeholder engagement plans, change management plans, and executive status reports.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to prepare and present clear, concise briefings and documentation for leadership and executive-level audiences.
• Proficiency with project management tools such as Microsoft Project or equivalent platforms.

Preferred Credentials and Experience

• Demonstrated experience leading the implementation of state or federally administered health and human services programs, including projects driven by new legislation, regulatory change, or federal mandate.
• Working knowledge of the federal and state health and human services program landscape, including familiarity with one or more of the following: Medicaid, CHIP, SNAP, TANF, child welfare, or behavioral health programs.
• Proven experience managing projects funded through federal grant programs, including grant compliance monitoring, deliverable tracking, and required reporting.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent credential.
• Bachelors degree in Public Administration, Public Health, Social Work, Business Administration, or a closely related field.