Project Management Office (PMO) Manager

Washington Department of Natural Resources; Tumwater (WA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington Department of Retirement Systems is seeking a PMO Manager to lead the organization’s project portfolio, define strategic plans, and drive delivery excellence across cross-functional initiatives. As a senior advisor to agency leadership, you will guide complex projects that improve customer experience and modernize operations.

You will work with a diverse team, set policies, mentor project managers, and collaborate with the CIO to align resources with strategic goals.

Qualifications

• Enterprise project and portfolio management experience.
• Structured PM methodologies knowledge.
• Ability to align across divisions with goals, resource constraints and readiness.
• Experience advising executives on viability, risk mitigation, and investments.
• Typically gained from at least six years of professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the PMO with goals, standards, and expectations for project and portfolio management and change management.
• Ensure PMO team has the tools, training, and guidance to perform effectively.
• Oversee project prioritization, resourcing, reporting, and portfolio recommendations with the CIO.
• Set policies and standards for planning, scheduling, risk, governance and reporting.
• Negotiate project terms with the Executive Leadership Team covering scope, objectives, budget, timeline and risks.
• Oversee vendor performance, contract negotiations, and resolve escalated vendor issues.
• Spot and resolve risks, dependencies and issues requiring executive direction.
• Oversee organizational change management and coach sponsors on adoption.
• Coordinate with employers, external partners, and oversight bodies for alignment.
• Facilitate strategic planning sessions and monitor progress toward goals.

Skills

PMO leadership

Portfolio management

Governance frameworks

Executive advisory

Change management

Job description

Description

Do you enjoy turning big ideas into results? Would you like to help decide which projects our organization takes on and how they get done? Are you excited by leading teams, building strong practices, and partnering with leaders to drive lasting change?

At the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) we empower public workers to retire with confidence and as our Project Management Office (PMO) Manager, you’ll help make that happen. If you’re ready to turn your leadership into real results for our customers, this may be the ideal next step for you!

Applications received for this job opportunity will be reviewed immediately,
so your prompt response is encouraged.
The hiring manager reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time during the recruitment process.

Duties

We are looking for a PMO Manager to lead how DRS defines its strategic plan, manages its portfolio of projects, runs individual project management, and supports change.

As a senior advisor to agency leadership, you will exercise expert judgment to guide the delivery of complex, cross‑functional projects that improve customer experience, enhance team member effectiveness, and support the agency's long‑term modernization goals.

Here is some of what you'll do:

• Lead the PMO. This means establishing goals, work standards, and expectations for project management, portfolio management, and organizational change management.
• Ensure PMO team members have the tools, training, and guidance needed to perform effectively.
• Oversee how projects are chosen, prioritized, resourced, and reported, and recommend the project priority order to the Executive Leadership Team. Partner with the agency’s Chief Information Officer to ensure the portfolio recommendations take into consideration the resource needs of other technology efforts.
• Set policies and standards for planning and running projects, and oversee project managers to ensure scheduling, risk management, governance, and reporting are consistent.
• Negotiate key project terms with the Executive Leadership Team, including scope, objectives, value, budget, timeline, constraints, resources, and risks.
• Oversee vendor performance, build strong relationships with vendor leadership, guide contract negotiations, and help resolve escalated vendor issues.
• Spot and resolve risks, dependencies, and issues that impact and raise decisions that require executive direction.
• Oversee organizational change management for agency projects and coach project sponsors on leading change, understanding its’ impacts, and helping people adopt it.
• Work with employers, external partners, and oversight bodies (e.g., OCIO, OFM) to ensure alignment on project impacts, timelines, and readiness.
• Facilitate the agency's strategic planning process, including planning sessions and monitoring progress toward strategic plan goals and initiatives.

Schedule and Telework Information: The incumbent of this position may be eligible to work a flexible, compressed and/or alternate work week schedule. Any schedule of other than 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, is at the discretion of the team leader and must be approved by the Appointing Authority. Some evening and weekend work may be necessary to perform key processes and/or updates outside of standard business hours.

After effectively demonstrating the ability to perform work independently, incumbent may be eligible to telework on a part‑time basis, at the discretion of the Appointing Authority and with a telework agreement in place. The ability to work remotely is dependent on the nature of the tasks and projects assigned and the presence of a remote work environment that is safe and has an appropriate level of reliable connectivity. You must live within a reasonable commuting distance to the DRS building in Tumwater, WA, and must be willing and able to adjust your telework schedule, whenever necessary, to complete work assignments, attend mandatory meetings, trainings, etc., at the DRS facility.

Qualifications

What we’re looking for (required qualifications): Experience for qualifications can be gained through various combinations of professional employment, education, and volunteer/personal experience. Experience can be concurrent:

• Demonstrated experience of enterprise project and portfolio management practices, including the ability to independently evaluate proposed initiatives, assess agency capacity, and recommend prioritization and sequencing strategies.
• Applied knowledge of structured project management and governance methodologies, with the ability to tailor frameworks, standards, and tools to meet agency needs and statewide requirements.
• Ability to integrate project, portfolio, and governance activities across divisions, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, resource constraints, and organizational readiness.
• Experience advising executives, sponsors, and division leaders on project viability, risk mitigation, investment decisions, and the timing and impact of major initiatives.
• The above is typically gained from a minimum of six (6) years of professional experience.

The following education and experience are not required but will set you apart:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI), or an equivalent project management credential.
• Experience leading project governance activities using PMI-based frameworks, with the ability to tailor processes to agency needs, statewide requirements, and varying levels of project complexity.
• Proven ability to mentor project managers and team members in industry recognized standards and practices, building skills, and consistency in project delivery.

In addition, all qualified applicants should have demonstrated proficiency in the following competency areas:

Leading Others - Provides for and fosters a work environment that emphasizes the coaching, development, motivation, recognition, and accountability of others. Sets clear goals and expectations, delegates work appropriately, and values and uses feedback; demonstrates the courage to address performance problems and issues promptly. Treats team members equitably. Is seen as inquisitive and curious about the team's performance and asks questions to gain further understanding of what the team needs to be successful.

Project Management - Directs and integrates all aspects of a major business transformation project, ensuring that work progresses toward achieving established goals and objectives. Can readily explain the purpose of the project, the roles and responsibilities of team members, and the desired outcome. Develops reasonable performance standards and means of evaluating the outcome; remains acutely aware of timeframes and ensures deadlines are successfully met. Can facilitate team discussions to ensure that all team members feel their opinions and ideas are considered.

Priority Setting - Spends time on what is important; easily identifies what will help or hinder accomplishing a goal and works to eliminate roadblocks. Focuses on the critical few and puts the trivial many aside.

Collaborative Leadership - Promotes and generates cooperation among peers in leadership to achieve a collective outcome. Fosters the development of a common vision and fully participates in creating a unified leadership team that gets results.

Judgment - Displays balanced thinking that combines data‑based analysis, experience, and perspective while also considering decision impacts. Effectively weighs alternatives and makes decisions that incorporate facts, opinions, and other relevant information.

Organizational Agility - Understands the formal and informal structures within an organization and operates effectively within them. Understands the agendas and perspectives of others, recognizing and effectively balancing their own interests and needs with those of the organization. Demonstrates a comprehensive awareness of the impact and implications of decisions and actions throughout the organization.

Learning and Growth - Demonstrates a growth mindset by actively seeking opportunities to learn, improve, and expand capabilities. Displays curiosity about new ideas and perspectives and an openness to innovation, change, and feedback. Takes responsibility for personal learning by identifying and communicating needs and challenges, and applying new knowledge to navigate systems, tools, and processes. Reflects on experiences to identify strengths and areas for improvement, using learning to make government programs and processes more efficient and effective in serving the people of Washington.

Meeting the Needs of Others - Demonstrates empathy, flexibility, and responsiveness when interacting with customers, colleagues, and community members. Understands that others have varied needs and perspectives and adapts communication and actions accordingly. Builds relationships and collaborates to increase access, opportunity, and positive outcomes for all. Balances and considers all parties’ needs when developing solutions, ensuring equity, respect, and service excellence in every interaction.

Supplemental Information

Be sure to read this entire section – We promise, it’ll be helpful!

References, Personnel File Review, and Background Checks

• DRS requires at least two professional references including a professional reference from your current or most recent supervisor.
• If you are a current or recent state employee, we will also review your personnel file as part of our selection process;
• Final job offers will be contingent upon completion of a background check that includes a criminal record review.

Work Authorization

• Candidates who are offered a job with DRS must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future;
• DRS complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal employment eligibility verification form, I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.
• DRS does not use E-Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visit www.uscis.gov.
• Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

Certified Candidate Pool

• This recruitment may be used to fill similar future vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.

Why Work for DRS?

At DRS, we are one team. We administer eight public retirement systems, 15 retirement plans, and the Deferred Compensation Program, and we serve over 930,000 current and former public employees in Washington. Our customers include fire fighters, teachers and school employees, state and local government employees, and public safety and law enforcement officers.

Regardless of what our specific duties may be, we are all dedicated to one purpose: ensuring our members have the information, tools, expertise and services that ensure they receive the retirement benefits earned while in public service. We foster a diverse and inclusive environment where team members are fully engaged and supported in meeting (and exceeding) our customers’ expectations. All DRS leaders are focused on providing the coaching, mentoring, resources and support that team members need to be successful.

DRS offers a generous benefits package that includes membership in the Public Employees Retirement System, health, dental and vision coverage and participation in the Deferred Compensation Program. Also, as a public service employee you may also be eligible for s student loan forgiveness.

Other perks include:

• Flexible work schedules
• Infants at Work Program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Opportunities for professional growth
• Access to LinkedIn Learning