Program Manager

Harris County; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Harris County Universal Services (HCUS) seeks a Senior IT Program Manager to lead complex, cross‑functional technology programs aligning with county-wide priorities. You will drive roadmaps, governance, and delivery across multiple initiatives while engaging stakeholders and reporting to executive leadership.

The role requires seven or more years in IT program management, strong leadership, and experience delivering large-scale digital transformations in a public sector setting.

Qualifications

• Seven (7) or more years of IT program management experience.
• Experience managing complex, cross-functional programs with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience delivering large-scale technology initiatives from planning through implementation.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex IT programs and portfolios aligned withHCUS and stakeholder strategies.
• Develop and maintain program roadmaps and technology modernization efforts.
• Oversee scope, schedules, budgets, resources, risks, dependencies, and deliverables.
• Provide governance, dashboards, and performance reporting to executive leadership.

Skills

Program management

Portfolio management

Stakeholder management

Strategic planning

Leadership

Governance

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Information Technology or related field

Job description

Senior IT Program Manager

Harris County Universal Services (HCUS) is seeking an experienced and strategic Senior IT Program Manager to lead complex technology programs and portfolios that support county-wide initiatives and departmental business objectives. This role is responsible for driving the successful delivery of multiple concurrent projects, providing strategic leadership, fostering stakeholder engagement, and ensuring strong governance, accountability, and alignment with organizational priorities.

Job Responsibilities:

Program & Portfolio Management

• Lead and manage complex IT programs and project portfolios aligned with HCUS and stakeholder department strategies.
• Develop and maintain program and portfolio roadmaps that support organizational goals and technology modernization efforts.
• Oversee project scope, schedules, budgets, resources, risks, dependencies, and deliverables across multiple initiatives.
• Monitor program and portfolio performance, providing actionable insights and recommendations to executive leadership.
• Evaluate, prioritize, and align initiatives based on business value, organizational impact, and resource capacity.

Strategic Planning & Leadership

• Partner with business and technology leaders to develop strategic plans and technology roadmaps.
• Provide strategic guidance on investment decisions, project prioritization, resource planning, and organizational change initiatives.
• Identify risks, opportunities, and emerging trends that impact business and technology objectives.
• Support executive decision-making through business cases, presentations, dashboards, and performance reporting.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships with business leaders, county departments, executive leadership, vendors, and technical teams.
• Serve as the primary liaison between business and technology stakeholders.
• Facilitate governance meetings, steering committees, and executive reviews.
• Communicate program status, risks, issues, and outcomes to stakeholders at all organizational levels.

Project Oversight & Team Collaboration

• Partner with Project Managers and cross-functional teams to ensure successful project delivery.
• Coordinate resources, dependencies, and priorities across multiple projects and departments.
• Remove obstacles, resolve conflicts, and drive accountability for program outcomes.
• Promote collaboration, transparency, continuous improvement, and best practices.

Governance :

• Ensure compliance with established program, portfolio, and project management methodologies.
• Support governance processes, documentation standards, regulatory compliance requirements, and performance measurement activities.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call [phone] or email [e-mail].

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, Public Administration, Project Management, or a related field.

Experience:

• Seven (7) or more years of experience in IT program management, portfolio management, project management, or related technology leadership roles.
• Proven experience managing complex, cross-functional programs and project portfolios with multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success delivering large-scale technology initiatives from planning through implementation.
• Experience developing strategic roadmaps, managing competing priorities, and aligning technology investments with organizational objectives.
• Experience presenting executive leadership and facilitating strategic decision-making.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong program and portfolio management capabilities.
• Strategic thinking, planning, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong leadership, facilitation, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Knowledge of governance frameworks, budgeting, resource planning, and performance reporting.
• Understanding government operations, procurement processes, public-sector governance, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into business-focused recommendations and outcomes.

Applicants for this position will be subject to a criminal background check that includes being fingerprinted. This applies to any position with network access to Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) or access to an area where CJIS is received, maintained or stored either manually or electronically (i.e. custodian, maintenance).

Automatic Disqualification:

• Convictions, probation, or deferred adjudication for any Felony, and any Class A Misdemeanor
• Convictions, probation, or deferred adjudication for a Class B Misdemeanor, if within the previous 10 years
• Open arrest for any criminal offense (Felony or Misdemeanor)
• Family Violence conviction

NOTE:

• Experience working in government public sector (Law enforcement background), county, municipal, or other highly regulated environments.
• Experience with digital transformation, enterprise technology implementations, and organizational change management.
• Project Management Professional (PMP), PgMP, PMI-ACP, or equivalent certification.
• Familiarity with Agile, Scrum, PMBOK, PRINCE2, or other project and portfolio management frameworks.

Harris County Universal Services does not provide sponsorship or authorization to work in the United States. Employees will be required to provide proof of legal authorization to work in the United States.

Location:

• 406 Caroline St, Houston, TX 77002

Work Arrangement:

• All new hires are required to work onsite during their first 90 days of employment.
• For positions eligible for a hybrid schedule, telework may be considered after this period and requires management approval based on performance and operational needs. Telework is a privilege and is not guaranteed.

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.