Innovation Project Lead

City of Syracuse; City of Syracuse (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Paid time off

Parental leave

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Job summary

City of Syracuse is seeking a skilled analyst to manage special projects within the Office of Analytics, Performance, & Innovation. You will conduct research, perform data analysis, and manage stakeholder relations for policy initiatives while developing and implementing project plans to improve City operations.

The role requires leading cross‑functional teams, designing workflows, and evaluating procedures to advance municipal services and performance. Residency within City limits is expected.

Qualifications

• Graduation from regionally accredited college/university with a Bachelor's degree as listed AND one year of work experience in project management or campaign management.

Responsibilities

• Participates in interagency processes and manages progress toward targets.
• Leads development of detailed implementation plans for major initiatives.
• Prepares workflow diagrams and structuring charts.
• Monitors performance and recommends corrections.
• Manages projects from scoping to closure.

Skills

Problem solving

Leadership

Communication

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Research & synthesis

Process improvement

Ambiguity management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Policy, Government, Business, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Data Science, Statistics or closely related field

Tools

ArcGIS Online

ArcMaps

Programming languages

Job description

The work involves managing special projects and initiatives to improve the operations and functionality of the organization as part of the Office of Analytics, Performance, & Innovation for the City of Syracuse. An employee in this class is responsible for conducting research; performing data analysis; managing stakeholder relations for policy initiatives; evaluating policies, practices, and procedures; and developing and implementing specific project plans to enhance and advance City operations. The employee exercises independent judgment and initiative under the general direction of the Director of Innovation. Does related work as required.

Typical Work Activities

• Participates in interagency processes for accepting new challenges, ongoing idea generation, developing implementation plans, and managing progress towards defined targets.
• Leads the development of detailed implementation plans for delivery on major initiatives.
• Prepares workflow diagrams and structuring charts to define workflow processes.
• Ensures effective performance monitoring vehicles are in place and regularly monitors progress of initiatives and makes recommendations for correction.
• Manages projects from beginning to end, which includes scoping, resource planning, budgeting, overseeing execution and closing.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates staff and activities to ensure that assigned initiative goals are accomplished within prescribed timeframes.
• Facilitates complex performance improvement activities.
• Works with departments to implement new programs to improve performance across the City.
• Leads cross-functional teams to facilitate the implementation of efficient resolutions.
• Conducts and leads qualitative research.
• Works with government and community stakeholders to lead them through a full design cycle, including testing and launch.
• Prepares visual, oral, and written correspondence.
• Assesses and recommends innovative strategies and projects.
• Provides direction to a team and conceptualizes and proposes solutions.
• Uses diplomacy in working relationships to effectively and efficiently deal with conflict and arbitrate solutions.
• Prioritizes and manages work to meet established timelines.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent problem solving, critical thinking and deductive reasoning skills
• Ability to lead transformations that involve multiple stakeholders, constituencies, and agencies.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to develop and manage a high-performing team.
• Ability to establish targets and deliver measurable results on time and within budget.
• Ability to work with government or private sector leaders.
• Good knowledge of empirical data, statistical analysis, and the development of data-based recommendations for system improvements.
• Ability to research and outline best practices in strategic subject areas, contextualize research, and synthesize content to drive action-oriented dialogue.
• Good knowledge of process improvement analysis.
• Knowledge of digital tools/applications that enhance the workflow and environment.
• Ability to design maps and analyze the performance of services processes.
• Knowledge of ArcGIS Online and ArcMaps.
• Knowledge of programming languages.
• Ability to handle ambiguity in a fast-paced environment.
• Attentiveness to detail, deadlines, and the ability to handle criticism in a constructive way.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Policy, Government, Business, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Data Science, Statistics or a closely related field AND one (1) year of work experience, or its part time equivalent, in project management or campaign management.

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance
• Retirement plan

City of Syracuse residency is required for this position. If you are not a resident, you have six (6) months from your date of hire to establish residency.

The Affordative Action Policy of the City of Syracuse is to provide equal employment opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, sex, religion, creed, age (18 and over), marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, gender identity or gender expression, sexual or affectional preference or orientation, or any other classified group within the protected class. The City also complies with 31 CFR part 51. If you have a disability for which you wish special accommodation to be made, contact the Office of Human Resources at 315-448-8780 or [e-mail].

All offers of employment will be contingent on the successful completion of a background check and/or drug screen.