Certified Project Manager

VIVA; Madison (WI); Remote; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

VIVA USA Inc. is seeking a Certified Project Manager IV/Sr. to lead a multi-year Child Care Systems Modernization initiative with a SaaS vendor.

The role combines strategic guidance and hands-on execution across planning, procurement, and implementation, with emphasis on governance, stakeholder alignment, and executive communications. The Implementation Manager will work independently, leverage subject matter experts, and produce deliverables directly.

Qualifications

• Experience leading large-scale modernization or digital transformation with a SaaS vendor.
• Proven ability to manage complex technology procurements and vendor selections.
• Strong written and verbal communication; executive stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to develop governance, roadmaps, and vendor management processes.
• PM certification or completion of a recognized curriculum.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning and Modernization Leadership to define roadmap and strategy.
• Coordinate with Strategic Consultant to maintain modernization plan.
• Assess needs, readiness, risks, dependencies, and decisions.
• Draft procurement materials and support vendor selection and negotiations.
• Establish governance structures, reporting, escalation, and executive briefings.
• Develop project artifacts and readiness for transition to implementation.

Skills

Large-scale modernization

Project management

Procurement planning

Written communication

Critical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Job description

90-100% remote but can require staff to come onsite as necessary with sufficient notice. Onsite work is not likely, but candidate should be prepared to come onsite if required.

The clientis looking for Certified Project Manager IV/Sr.

The clientseeks a highly experienced individual to serve as the Child Care Systems Modernization Implementation Manager. This individual will provide strategic guidance and direct execution during the planning, procurement, and implementation phases of a multi-year child care systems modernization initiative with a SaaS vendor. The Implementation Manager will be responsible for ensuring IT leadership and stakeholders stay informed at all points of the transformation effort while working closely with the business area Strategic Consultant to ensure all parties involved remain aligned. The Implementation Manager will assist in defining scope, coordinating stakeholders, developing roadmaps, managing SaaS vendor engagements, and coordinating IT resources and leveraging established governance, planning, and operational structures to ensure successful implementation. The selected contractor will operate with a high degree of independence and will leverage existing clientsubject matter experts, business leaders, and technology staff to advance the initiative. The contractor will be expected to directly produce work products and deliverables rather than relying on dedicated project staff. Success in this role requires both strategic management and direct execution. Project management certification or successful completion of a recognized project management curriculum is required.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning and Modernization Leadership
• Coordinate with the Strategic Consultant to develop and maintain an overall modernization roadmap and implementation strategy.
• Assess current-state business needs, technology systems, organizational readiness, and modernization needs.
• Identify risks, dependencies, and critical decision points requiring executive engagement.
• Recommend phased approaches for implementation, organizational change management, and business transformation.
• Procurement and Vendor Management
• Collaborate in the development of procurement strategies and supporting documentation.
• Draft and coordinate Requests for Information (RFIs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Statements of Work (SOWs), and related procurement materials.
• Evaluate vendor proposals and support contract negotiations.
• Advise clientleadership on vendor selection, contracting approaches, and governance structures.
• Establish performance expectations and accountability measures for future vendors and implementation partners.
• Partner Coordination and Governance
• Coordinate activities across business, policy, finance, procurement, and technology teams.
• Facilitate executive decision-making and ensure alignment among partners and stakeholders.
• Develop governance structures, decision frameworks, reporting processes, and escalation protocols.
• Prepare executive briefings, status reports, and strategic recommendations.
• Program Development and Readiness
• Identify resource needs and recommend future staffing and contractor support models.
• Develop foundational project artifacts, including charters, workplans, risk registers, issue logs, and implementation frameworks.
• Support development of business requirements, process improvement opportunities, and future-state operating models.
• Establish structures necessary for transition from planning into implementation.

Minimal Qualifications

• Significant experience leading large-scale technology modernization or digital transformation initiatives with a SaaS vendor.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing complex technology procurements.
• Experience with vendor selection, contract negotiation, and multi-vendor environments.
• Strong knowledge of project management, organizational change management, and systems implementation methodologies.
• Experience facilitating executive-level decision-making and stakeholder engagement.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with government program systems.
• Experience modernizing legacy systems to a SaaS platform.
• Solid understanding of cloud-based platforms, modular procurement strategies, and agile delivery approaches.
• Experience coordinating between internal teams and SaaS vendors.
• Experience establishing governance structures for large-scale modernization initiatives.

Qualification Minimum Experience

• Project Management of Large Initiatives 15
• Development of Project Artifacts (plan, charter, status reports, etc.) 15
• Procurement Planning 10
• Prepare Written Reports 12
• Strong Communication Skills 12
• Prepare Executive Briefings 12
• MS Project or equivalent 12

Responsible for overall coordination, status reporting, and stability of project-oriented work efforts. Establishes and implements project management processes and methodologies for the IT community to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, adhere to high quality standards, and meet customer expectations. Responsible for assembling project plans and teamwork assignments, directing and monitoring work efforts on a daily basis, identifying resource needs, performing quality review; and escalating functional, quality, and timeline issues appropriately. Responsible for tracking key project milestones and adjusting project plans and/or resources to meet the needs of customers. Coordinates communication with all areas of the enterprise that impacts the scope, budget, risk, and resources of the work effort being managed. Assists program manager(s) in partnering with senior management of the business community to identify and prioritize opportunities for utilizing IT to achieve the goals of the enterprise. Must possess extensive knowledge and expertise in the use of project management methodologies and tools, resource management practices, and change management techniques. This is a management role with human resource management responsibilities (e.g., hiring, performance management). Manages one or more cross‐functional projects of medium to high complexity. A more senior role, with responsibility for multiple large, complex projects with greater impact to the enterprise. Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or other related field, or equivalent work experience. Project management certification or successful completion of a recognized project management curriculum is required. Typically has 15 or more years of IT work experience, including 4 or more years managing projects. Experience with projects in multiple technologies and functions.

Top skills

• Significant experience Leading large-scale technology modernization or digital transformation initiatives with a SaaS vendor
• Project Management (15+ years)
• Procurement Planning (10+ years)
• Written and Verbal Communication
• Critical Thinking

Notes

90-100% remote but can require staff to come onsite as necessary with sufficient notice. Onsite work is not likely, but candidate should be prepared to come onsite if required.

Hybrid: Remote 95% and Onsite 5%

VIVA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants have an equal opportunity for placement, and all employees have an equal opportunity to develop on the job. This means that VIVA will not discriminate against any employee or qualified applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status