Project Management Office (PMO) Manager

State of Washington Dept. of Retirement Systems; Tumwater (WA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington Dept. of Retirement Systems is seeking a PMO Manager to lead how the agency defines its strategic plan, manages its project portfolio, and drives organizational change.

You will advise senior leaders on complex, cross‑functional initiatives, guide deliverables, and ensure readiness across divisions to modernize government services for public workers.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in enterprise project and portfolio management, evaluating initiatives and prioritizing work.
• Structured project governance experience; tailor frameworks to agency needs and statewide requirements.
• Ability to align projects across divisions with strategic goals and resource constraints.
• Typically 6+ years of professional experience advising executives and sponsors on major initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead the PMO: set goals, standards, and expectations for project management and change management.
• Ensure PMO team has tools, training, and guidance to perform effectively.
• Oversee project selection, prioritization, resourcing, and reporting; advise Executive Leadership Team.
• Set planning policies and oversee project managers for scheduling, risk, governance, and reporting.
• Negotiate scope, objectives, value, budget, timeline, constraints, resources, and risks with executives.
• Oversee vendor performance and contract negotiations; resolve escalated vendor issues.
• Identify and resolve risks, dependencies, and issues requiring executive direction.
• Coach sponsors on leading change and organizational readiness.
• Collaborate with employers, partners, and oversight bodies to align on timelines and readiness.
• Facilitate strategic planning sessions and monitor progress toward goals.

Skills

Enterprise project mgmt

Portfolio mgmt

Governance frameworks

Stakeholder management

Leadership

PMO tools

Education

PMP certification

Bachelor’s degree (relevant field)

Tools

PMO tools

Job 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.

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.

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:

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