Operations Manager - 100% Remote Within Texas

Performs the management of day-to-day operations of the application portfolio including project and operational oversight, issue resolution management, new enhancement coordination, release management, licensing renewal tracking, privileged user audits, system documentation, vendor management and SLA reviews. This position will prepare Change Advisory Board documentation, review best practices and work with other stakeholders to implement changes to policy and procedure; creates policies and procedures for the efficient use of the applications and the effectiveness of the support team. This position will track and coordinate security vulnerability resolutions. May coordinate initial outage calls and escalate to Incident Management as needed.
Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned i.e. special research tasks or special projects as needed. Work outside of regular hours may be required. Travel to other work locations may be required. Serve on interview panels to make selection recommendations of technical personnel.

Essential Job Functions:
1. Provides leadership and expertise in project management. Project management involves the full spectrum of industry-accepted principles of project management including initiation, planning, execution, control, and closing assigned projects and subsidiary components. These activities include, but are not limited to, defining and managing scope and customer expectations; work breakdown structures; detailed Microsoft project schedules; resource plans; project plans; communications plans; budgets and cost tracking; presentations and briefings; metrics reporting; risk / issues and associated mitigation activities; quality control; change management processes; customer acceptance; lessons learned; and archiving project documentation. Coordinates various levels of projects including multi-million-dollar projects and oversees the planning and initiation of the project deliverables, including cost estimates and projections. Identifies potential project risks and difficulties, and designs strategies to mitigate or avoid them. Directs, develops, and evaluates projects utilizing accepted project management methodologies. (30%)
2. Monitors and manages projects to completion. Compiles and distributes project information, status reports, and project budget expenditures. Manages project cost to ensure project completion within budget. Monitors and manages project quality to ensure project deliverables are acceptable and fulfill the terms of the project contract or specifications. Obtains authorization and commitment and demonstrates business need and project feasibility. Reviews and recommends proposals and bids to management. (20%)
3. Manages and develops staff in project management. Develops and implements plans to communicate and explain project methodology and processes to interested groups and team members. Creates documentation procedures to capture and deal with changes in original project plan. Develops criteria for evaluating programs, proposals, and other pertinent information related to project assignments. (15%)
4. Advises, consults, and negotiates with agency customers on project activities. Ensures project management methodologies are followed and are consistent with agency, enterprise and DIR plans, standards, and guidelines. Provides leadership to internal and external teams / committees across the agency and HHS enterprise to ensure projects are coordinated, efficient and meet service level objectives. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of other HHS agencies IT-related projects and negotiates sharing of resources to achieve objectives across agencies. (15%)
5. Coordinates with other HHS agencies, and DIR to assure policies, standards, procedures, and activities and required reports conform to and are consistent with state requirements. Develops guidelines, procedures, policies, rules, and/or regulations and monitoring for compliance. Develops, reviews, and revises legislation. Oversees the preparation of management and productivity reports and studies. Oversees special investigations, research studies, and internal audits. Represents the Department by making presentations, providing information and testimony, collaborating with customers, other state agencies and federal partners. Responds to requests by legislators and other public officials. (15%)
6. Other duties as assigned. (Note: For DSHS positions this includes but is not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.) (5%)

Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of effective management principles.
Knowledge in project management theories and practices applicable to mid-to-
large-sized scope projects.
Knowledge of project management theories of systems and procedures used to
evaluate a third-party vendor's performance.
Knowledge of related state and federal laws, regulations, policies, rules and
requirements.
Knowledge of process improvement or quality assurance systems.
Knowledge of Texas legislative process and public accountability systems.
Knowledge of strategic planning, budget management and human resource
management.
Knowledge of the principles of leadership and how to effectively interact with
various leadership styles.
Knowledge of cost monitoring during the transition phase of the contract and
financial contract cost analysis.
Skill in communication and public speaking.
Skill in managing multiple and competing priorities.
Skill in identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and implementing solutions.
Skill in working collaboratively and cooperatively with diverse groups.
Ability to exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions.
Ability to analyze complex information.
Ability to develop plans to address identified issues.
Ability to demonstrate negotiation and facilitation skills.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
Ability to plan, assign, and/or supervise the work of others.
Ability to think creatively and support creative thinking in others.
Ability to establish goals and objectives.
Ability to effectively manage, motivate and build effective work teams.
Ability to make timely and effective decisions.
Ability to interpret data and develop effective operating procedures.
Ability to organize and present information effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to evaluate reports comprehensively and accurately.

Initial Selection Criteria:
Preferred graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in Math, Science, or Computer Science related.
Must have at least 4 yrs of IT project management, applications management, software development oversight, or project coordination.
Experience as a software developer or systems analyst preferred

Additional Information:
This position can telework full time from any location in Texas consistent with HHS telework policies. Applicants from outside Texas must be willing to relocate within 60 days of hire.

MOS Code:
There are no direct military occupation(s) that relate to the responsibilities, and registration or licensure requirements for this position. All active duty, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if they meet the qualifications for this position.