Job Duties:

• The IT Project Manager will provide project management support to DHS Security Team, focusing on security audits.
• Accountable to the Project Management Officer, DHS Security Officer, and the supported system business owners.
• Provide project management consultation to the DHS security team.
• Work closely with other project managers, vendors, business analysts, architects, developers, and subject matter experts on the agency systems support teams.
• Plan and create audit/compliance project schedules, monitor progress of activities against plan, assess work performed by the audit engagement team, and ensure engagements are completed in conformance with audit policies and procedures.
• During the initiation of audit projects, assist the team and clients in identifying the most effective strategies to achieve objectives.
• During the planning phase, develop audit management tools, including plans for scope management, risk assessment, communications, change control, and performance measurement and tracking.
• During the execution of compliance projects, monitor performance and report project status, including major milestones and potential risks.
• Near the end of the project, use verification processes to ensure that the effort has delivered what the client expected and conduct a lesson learned session.
• Promote and support Project Management Office policies and processes.
• Develop a security audit portfolio workstream plan that includes milestones, tasks, activities, and timeline.
• Direct project team members to take necessary action to achieve the goals and objectives of projects.
• Work with PMO and quality assurance team to use established project standards, procedures, and quality objectives.
• Work with senior project management to identify specific opportunities or weaknesses within assigned security projects and make specific change recommendations to structures, processes, or people to improve project performance.
• Provide work direction and leadership to assign audit projects, including scheduling, assignment of work, and review of project efforts.
• Monitor audit project milestones and critical dates to identify potential jeopardy of project schedule.
• Identify ways to resolve schedule issues.
• Keep management aware of the situation.
• Assess variances from the project plan, gather metrics, and develop and implement changes to ensure that the project remains within specified scope and is within time, cost, and quality objectives.
• Conduct formal review with business sponsor at project completion to confirm acceptance and satisfaction.
• Provide the team with constructive feedback as it pertains to project performance.
• Develop and maintain a productive working relationship with project sponsors, vendors, and key clients.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related field or specialized training and 3 years of IT project management experience required
• Master's degree in related field or specialized security certification highly desired
• 3 years' experience leading projects with information security or compliance focus (occurring in the last 3 years).
• Experience in information security principles and standards such as NIST 800-53, IRS Pub 1075.
• PMP certification from PMI or equivalent certification required (provide documentation)
• Expert level hands-on experience with MS Project, MS Visio, SharePoint 2013, and MS O365.
• Experience within the last 3 years leading/coordinating vendor managed/ audit projects.
• Executive level written and oral communication skills.
• Experience working in state government.
• Experience in Health and Human Services Systems, eligibility projects, and business processes.
• Experience working in an outsourced environment.

Benefits:

Healthcare Insurance: Synectics offers eligible employees and their dependents healthcare coverage through BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full time employment with Synectics. Premiums are subsidized by Synectics.

Dental Insurance: Synectics offers eligible employees and their dependents a dental plan through MetLife. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full time employment with Synectics.

Vision Insurance : Synectics offers eligible employees vision insurance through VSP. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full time employment with Synectics.401(k) Plan: The Synectics Inc. Investment Savings Retirement Plan. Synectics offers all employees who are 21 years of age or older the opportunity to invest in the 401(k) Plan on the first enrollment date that is at least 30 days after employment begins. Enrollment dates are each January 1st, April 1st, July 1st, and October 1st.

Technical Certification Bonus: Synectics is pleased to award its employees a bonus of up to $500 for an approved professional certification. In determining the bonus amount, Synectics will consider the cost of the test(s) for any certification relating to your current position, achieved during your employment with us. Only one Certification Bonus per calendar year may be awarded per employee. Only current, active employees will be eligible to receive this bonus. It will be awarded 90 days after the Synectics office has received documentation confirming the successful completion of the certification.

Synectics is an equal opportunity employer.