Senior Project Manager

State of Indiana; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellness Rewards

Education Reimbursement

Free Parking

LinkedIn Learning access

Paid Time Off

Job summary

State of Indiana is seeking a senior project leader to drive strategic Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning initiatives. You will guide cross‑agency collaboration, manage complex budgets, and ensure alignment with mission, values, and policy.

The role emphasizes structured roadmaps, staff development, and continuous process improvement. The position starts at $75,010 annually and allows for commensurate advancement.

Qualifications

• Ability to manage projects of relatively high complexity and dollar value.
• Ability to engage and communicate information with internal and external stakeholders clearly.
• Ability to plan project scope and schedule consistent with the development process.
• Ability to establish and manage project budget with financial implications.
• Specialized knowledge of project standards.
• Ability to delegate work and manage workflow.
• Ability to coach and develop employee skillsets.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary point of contact and oversee overall progress and technical performance.
• Grow project delivery resources through coaching across the agency.
• Assemble project team and assign responsibilities.
• Communicate project plan and objectives to the team.
• Prepare reports and risk analyses to guide decisions.
• Present status and manage change processes.
• Guide projects through all phases to meet scope, schedule, budget and requirements.
• Ensure quality, financial, risk management and policy expectations are met.
• Recruit, onboard and train staff to clarify role responsibilities and enable development.
• Set expectations, measure progress and provide ongoing feedback.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder communication

Scope planning

Budget management

Process improvement

Coaching

Team leadership

Education

Purdue Project Management Essentials Course

Job description

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Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About the Family & Social Services Administration:

The Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) within the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) oversees early childcare, education, and out-of-school-time programs. OECOSL's vision is that every Indiana community will have a strong network of Early Care and Education and Out-of-School Time programs that support the child, the family and local schools. Programs will be high quality, affordable and accessible to enable families to work effectively to obtain economic self-sufficiency. Children will thrive in programs that meet their developmental and educational needs and make them feel welcome, encouraged, and supported. Professionals teaching and caring for children will have the resources, including training and education, needed to operate and maintain high quality programs.

Role Overview:

This role leads, manages, and completes strategic Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning projects from conception through execution. It sets ambitious goals for both individual and team performance, driving work forward in alignment with OECOSL’s mission, vision, and values. This role requires exceptional organizational strength to prioritize and balance multiple complex projects while serving as a positive role model for change in a fast-paced environment. With strong interpersonal sensitivity, a successful candidate can provide clear guidance, foster collaboration, identify needs, and ensure partners and staff are supported through effective communication, structured project roadmaps, and continuous process improvement.

A successful candidate will need advanced knowledge of public administration, social services or social work principles,and project management processes; a clear understanding of the mission, values, and role of the Agency—including its policies, procedures, programs, and services—and the ability to effectively communicate this understanding to staff, partners, and the community.

The salary for this position traditionally starts at$75,010.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience. Use our Compensation Calculator to view the total compensation package.

A Day in the Life:

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Serves as a primary point of contact and is responsible for overall work progress and technical performance of project.
• Lead a strong project management culture by growing project delivery resources through coaching at all levels of the agency and participating in the development and delivery of project management learning events.
• Responsible for assembling project team and assigning individual responsibilities.
• Establish project objectives and roles of each team member and communicate plan to the team.
• Prepare reports and analysis to manage risk and recommend necessary adjustments.
• Present project status and manage the project change process.
• Manage the project team through all phases of project planning, execution, and closeout consistent with established project delivery processes to meet the scope, schedule, budget and other specified requirements.
• Complete the scope of work while ensuring quality, financial, risk management and policy expectations are met.
• Responsible for overall work progress and technical performance on project.
• Establish project management processes and procedures. Identify potential risk and associated risk management plan.
• Recruit, select, onboard, and train employees to ensure role responsibilities and expectations are clearly understood while providing opportunities to continue professional development.
• Set expectations, measure progress, provide ongoing feedback, and evaluate the performance of employees.
• Ensure work adheres to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures.

The job profile is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

What You'll Need for Success:

Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:

• Ability to manage projects of relatively high complexity and dollar value.
• Ability to engage and communicate information with internal and external stakeholders in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to plan project scope and schedule consistent with the project development process.
• Ability to establish and manage project budget with the understanding of all financial implications/issues.
• Specialized knowledge of project standards.
• Ability to delegate work, set clear direction, and manage workflow.
• Ability to effectively give feedback, provide guidance or corrective action, coach, and develop employee skillsets.

For INDOT candidates, you must have the following requirements to be considered for employment:

• Successful completion of Purdue’s Project Management Essentials Course after 12 months but before 24 months of employment.

A degree is not required. However, at least 8 years of project management experience applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role may be considered.

Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

This role may serve as a team lead for an assigned work group.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b)account (similar to401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
  • 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
  • Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parkingfor most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learningaccess

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [e-mail] .