Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced Program Director to lead a multi-year Tax System Modernization Program focused on modernizing and integrating core tax administration systems, applications, operational workflows, taxpayer service channels, and data structures across multiple software release cycles. The role will be part of the Transformation Management Office (TMO) and will report directly to the Program Sponsor. The Program Director will lead program planning, monitoring, stakeholder engagement, cross-functional coordination, scheduling, and resource analysis. The position requires extensive experience managing large-scale transformation programs, applying enterprise program and project management best practices, and ensuring successful program execution, organizational readiness, quality assurance, and stakeholder alignment.
Key Responsibilities
Project Leadership & Strategy
• Collaborate with the tax system vendor and TMO to develop and oversee a comprehensive tax system modernization roadmap, including multiple releases, detailed schedules, resource allocations, and milestones.
• Coordinate with the tax system vendor, Technical Program Director, and Functional Program Director throughout planning, analysis, execution, and deployment.
• Ensure program management best practices are followed, including effective documentation, communication, and change management.
• Identify key program risks and ensure risk mitigation strategies and plans are documented.
• Identify and manage decisions, issues, and action items to ensure timely resolution and prevent program delays.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the tax system vendor Project Manager.
• Ensure alignment with other IT portfolio initiatives by identifying and addressing dependencies, resource constraints, conflicts, and risks.
• Create and deliver regular status reports, dashboards, and Executive Steering Committee presentations and updates.
• Submit required information and comply with applicable Department of Information Technology reporting requirements.
• Develop methods to measure and report program benefits.
• Facilitate Executive Steering Committee and Program Management Governance meetings.
• Ensure timely contractor onboarding and offboarding in alignment with resource planning and program schedules.
• Oversee technology and service vendor deliverables according to contract requirements and payment milestones.
• Collaborate with IT leads, business analysts, and third-party contractors to ensure effective teamwork.
• Manage change requests by presenting proposed changes to the appropriate steering committee or board and obtaining approval or rejection decisions.
Stakeholder Engagement
• Coordinate with other state agencies and third parties regarding changes required by other IT departments to support the program, including interface changes.
• Collaborate with the Functional Program Director to plan activities associated with the organizational change management strategy.
• Participate in planning activities and attend meetings and discussions with external customers impacted by the new tax system.
Team Management
• Lead a cross-functional team of project managers responsible for managing specific program areas, including data conversion and interfaces.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and performance oversight to team members.
• Manage project management staffing requirements as team composition changes throughout the program.
Budget & Resource Management
• Collaborate with Procurement and TMO Program Directors to establish timelines for procuring goods and services required to support program schedules.
• Maintain and oversee the staffing plan, ensuring sufficient allocation of organizational resources to meet program timelines.
• Track contract milestone completion and payment approvals.
• Participate in forecasting future program budget requirements.
Compliance & Risk Management
• Collaborate with the Technical Program Director and internal technical teams to identify tasks and dependencies required to ensure adherence to state, federal, and organizational regulations.
• Ensure compliance-related activities are incorporated into the overall program schedule.
Required Qualifications
• Minimum 7 years of experience in program or project management.
• Proven experience managing large-scale modernization or transformation projects, preferably within government or public-sector environments.
• Experience developing high-quality program status reports and dashboards.
• Proven experience presenting to executive-level stakeholders.
• General knowledge of state and federal regulatory standards for government technology.
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in project management software such as MS Project.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, SharePoint, and MS Teams.
Preferred Qualifications
• PMP or PgMP certification.
• Experience with public-sector taxation operations or technologies.
• Experience with Agile project management methodologies.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, SharePoint, and MS Teams.
• Experience with enterprise program and project management, organizational change management, systems testing, user acceptance testing, and end-user training.
