IS&T Senior Project Manager

State of Nebraska; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 46,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Nebraska is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives within Health & Human Services. The role involves end-to-end project management, strategic planning, risk mitigation, and stakeholder engagement at the agency level.

The on-site position in Lincoln requires strong leadership, communication, and governance skills, with the ability to navigate competing priorities in a fast-paced, mission-driven public sector environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in project management, business administration, public administration, business information systems, or a related field.
• Seven years of experience as a project manager/program manager with oversight of major/long-term projects OR five years and PMP/PgMP certification OR seven years on complex projects; any equivalent combination.
• Experience with federal/state regulations in health/human services environments is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, execution, and delivery of large-scale, cross-functional projects.
• Develop and manage comprehensive project plans, budgets, timelines, and resource allocations.
• Serve as liaison between executive leadership, stakeholders, and project teams.
• Identify and manage project risks, issues, and dependencies, ensuring timely resolution.
• Provide mentorship to less-experienced project managers and coordinators.
• Promote standardized project management methodologies across the agency.
• Present updates and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Agile/Waterfall

Education

Bachelor's degree in PM/Business/Public Admin or related field

Tools

MS Project

Workfront

Jira

Job description

The work we do matters!
Hiring Agency
Health & Human Services - Agency 25
Location:
Lincoln, NE
Hiring Rate
$40.040
Job Posting
JR2026-00030209 IS&T Senior Project Manager (Open)
Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):
11-09-2026
Job Description
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Project Manager to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives that drive organizational priorities and impact across the agency. This role is responsible for end-to-end project management, including planning, execution, risk mitigation, and stakeholder engagement. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of managing large-scale projects, strong leadership and communication skills, and the ability to navigate competing priorities in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
Location: This is an on-site position located at the Nebraska State Office Building in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Examples Of Work

• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of large-scale, cross-functional projects.
• Develop and manage comprehensive project plans, budgets, timelines, and resource allocations.
• Serve as the primary liaison between executive leadership, stakeholders, and project teams.
• Identify and manage project risks, issues, and dependencies, ensuring timely resolution.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to Project Managers and Coordinators.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, especially in health and human services programs.
• Present project updates, performance metrics, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
• Promote the use of standardized project management methodologies and tools across the agency.

Requirements/Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in project management, business administration, public administration, business information systems, or a field related to the functions of the hiring agency AND seven years of experience as a project manager/program manager with the responsibility to oversee the coordination, planning, initiation, and completion of major/long-term projects. OR Five years of experience and certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP) or Program Management Professional (PgMP). OR Seven years of experience working on complex projects. Any equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• PMP, PgMP, or equivalent senior-level project management certification.
• Experience in public sector, healthcare, or human services environments.
• Familiarity with federal funding, compliance, and reporting requirements.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid, SLDC).
• Strong leadership, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to manage multiple high-impact projects simultaneously.
• Expertise in stakeholder engagement and change management.
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Workfront, Jira).
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Considerations
May require extended hours during critical project phases.
Benefits
We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.
Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits
Equal Opportunity Statement
The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.