Project Manager - State Program Administrator Coordinator

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 79,000 - 118,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation and sick leave

12 paid holidays

Pension plan

Health insurance

Job summary

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development is seeking a Project Manager for the Paid Leave division in St. Paul. This is a full-time, telework-eligible, unclassified position with a two-year term.

Four years of PM experience and a bachelor’s degree are required, along with the ability to coordinate across business units and manage a portfolio of high-value initiatives. Apply by the stated closing date.

Qualifications

• Four (4) years of project management experience coordinating, managing cross-functional teams, budgets, and outcomes.
• Experience analyzing project and program strategies, risks, issues, actions and dependencies.
• Experience determining the appropriate project methodology to best achieve outcomes, i.e. Agile, Scrum, Lean, etc.
• Experience presenting/communicating project status, risks, blockers, and decision points to stakeholders.
• Experience working on multiple projects at one time and prioritizing urgent tasks.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for planning, executing, and finalizing projects within the Paid Leave division including managing resources, timelines, deliverables, stakeholder communications, and ensuring alignment with Paid Leave’s strategic objectives.
• Support reporting of status, risks, barriers, and major decision points across a diverse portfolio of high-level, complex initiatives across the division.
• Provide input into the growth of the PMO function within the Paid Leave division.
• At the discretion of the PMO Manager, the incumbent may need to perform other duties as assigned to meet overall objectives, vision, and mission of the Paid Leave division.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, Engineering, Information Technology, or other closely related field

Job description

Working Title: Project Manager

Job Class: State Program Administrator, Coordinator

• Job ID: 95535
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes, may be eligible for some telework
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Limited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 10/17/2026
• Closing Date: 10/27/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Department of Employment and Economic Development / MAPE
• Division/Unit: Paid Family and Medical Leave
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift, 8:00AM to 4:30PM
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $37.91 - $56.39 / hourly; $79,156 - $117,742 / annually
• Classified Status: Unclassified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - Minnesota Association of Professional Employees / MAPE
• End Date: Up to two (2) years
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Administrative
• Re-Posting: Yes, this position was previously posted 07/20/2026 - 07/27/2026. Applicants that previously applied do not need to apply again and will still be considered.
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: No

Working Title: Project Manager

Job Class: State Program Administrator, Coordinator

Agency: Department of Employment and Economic Development

• Job ID: 95535
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes, may be eligible for some telework
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Limited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 10/17/2026
• Closing Date: 10/27/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Department of Employment and Economic Development / MAPE
• Division/Unit: Paid Family and Medical Leave
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift, 8:00AM to 4:30PM
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $37.91 - $56.39 / hourly; $79,156 - $117,742 / annually
• Classified Status: Unclassified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - Minnesota Association of Professional Employees / MAPE
• End Date: Up to two (2) years
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Administrative
• Re-Posting: Yes, this position was previously posted 07/20/2026 - 07/27/2026. Applicants that previously applied do not need to apply again and will still be considered.
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: No

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

About the Paid Leave Division:

Paid Leave is a new program that launched in January 2026. The program will provide partial wage replacement to Minnesota workers who are out of work due to a qualifying condition, such as severe health condition that prevents them from working, or when they need time to care for a family member or a new child.

We have built a program that will be easy for every Minnesotan to use. We are engaging the people who depend on us—workers, employers, caregivers, and insurers—to learn from them and build the program around their needs. We are using modern delivery service and product practices to deliver the program.

The Paid Leave team has high standards and an unrelenting commitment to serving Minnesotans. It is a start-up environment without legacy systems or preconceived ways of working, so we have a unique opportunity to create human-centric processes and systems to deliver this new benefit to Minnesotans.

Position Purpose:

The purpose of the Project Manager is to ensure the Paid Leave division has the capability to identify high-value initiatives, organize effectively, and drive successful delivery practices. As an individual contributor, the Project Manager will support coordination across business units on enterprise-level priority projects. The Project Manager will oversee a portfolio of high-value initiatives identified by the Project Management Office (PMO) Manager.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsible for planning, executing, and finalizing projects within the Paid Leave division including managing resources, timelines, deliverables, stakeholder communications, and ensuring alignment with Paid Leave’s strategic objectives. Initiatives may include, but are not limited to, operations, marketing, digital transformation, and grants administration.
• Support reporting of status, risks, barriers, and major decision points across a diverse portfolio of high-level, complex initiatives across the division. Supporting transparency across Paid Leave business units through consistent reporting norms across business units.
• Provide input into the growth of the PMO function within the Paid Leave division.
• At the discretion of the PMO Manager, the incumbent may need to perform other duties as assigned to meet overall objectives, vision, and mission of the Paid Leave division.

This position will be based out of the St. Paul office.

This position is telework eligible. Staff are provided with the tools and equipment to be successful in a virtual work environment. Please note, the telework policy could change with notice based on business needs.

This posting may be used to fill multiple positions.

This is a temporary unclassified appointment anticipated to last up to two (2) years.

This position is anticpated to start in January 2027.

Minimum Qualifications

Four (4) years of project management experience, coordinating, managing cross-functional teams, budgets, and outcomes.

Applicants that meet the above minimum qualification will be further evaluated on the following:

• Experience analyzing project and program strategies, risks, issues, actions and dependencies.
• Experience determining the appropriate project methodology to best achieve outcomes, i.e. Agile, Scrum, Lean, etc.
• Experience presenting/communicating project status, risks, blockers, and decision points to stakeholders.
• Experience working on multiple projects at one time and prioritizing urgent tasks.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, Engineering, Information Technology, or other closely related field as determined by the agency.
• Certification in Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), or other closely related certification approved by agency.
• Ability to adapt to continuous organizational and program changes sufficient to work constructively under pressure and cope with ambiguity and setbacks.
• Skill in database management sufficient to manipulate, retrieve, and analyze data and produce ad-hoc queries and reports.
• Our employees are dedicated to ensuring cultural responsiveness. Preferred candidates will have a variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.

Additional Requirements

A job offer will be contingent upon successfully passing a background check. The background check may consist of the following components:

• Criminal Background Check
• Employment Records Check (current and former State employees only)
• Employment Reference Check
• Conflict of Interest Review
• Driver’s License and Records Check

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development will not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact Nellie Saunders at [e-mail].

Working together to improve the state we love.

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include.

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
  • Fertility care, including IVF
  • Diabetes care
  • Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies

based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants With Disabilities

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] and let us know the support you need.

The Department of Employment and Economic Development is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employer, and encourages all qualified candidates to apply for job opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application and search tools, please contact Karen Lilledahl at [e-mail]. Please indicate what assistance is needed.