Senior Project Manager, Technical Assistance & Projects

Harris County; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 88,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Harris County is seeking a Senior Project Manager, Technical Assistance & Projects to drive day-to-day progress of TAP initiatives within the Policy and Performance Division. You will partner with county departments to plan, implement, and sustain complex projects aimed at justice, infrastructure, health, resilience, and housing.

You will lead multi-week to multi-month efforts, coordinate with HR, IT, and Budget, communicate updates to leadership, and ensure outcomes meet equity and performance

Qualifications

• Minimum five years in project management, process improvement, strategic planning or innovation.
• At least five years driving improvements, launching projects, and reporting results.
• Experience managing multiple direct reports.
• Commitment to advancing equity, justice, diversity, and opportunity.
• Advanced knowledge of public policy and Texas county government operations.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end TAP projects from kickoff to sustainment.
• Regularly report progress to TAP Director and stakeholders.
• Coordinate with HR, IT, Budget and other departments to align timelines.
• Conduct research, benchmarking, and data analysis to inform plans.

Skills

Public policy

Change management

Project management

Team building

Stakeholder engagement

Emotional intelligence

Communication

Policy analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Overview

The Senior Project Manager, Technical Assistance & Projects is responsible for driving the day-to-day progress and success of technical assistance projects within the Technical Assistance & Projects (TAP) team, which is part of the Policy and Performance (P&P) Division within the Office of County Administration (OCA). The TAP team aims to be the trusted group for partnering with Harris County departments and divisions to solve some of the County’s hardest problems and achieve truly impactful solutions to enhance the County’s work and improve the lives of Harris County residents. The TAP Team partners with departments and divisions to help address problems or achieve solutions related to major priorities of Commissioners Court. Commissioners Court’s priorities are primarily focused on justice and safety, infrastructure, economy, health, resilience, and housing.

The TAP team works with partners for several weeks or months to study an issue and any applicable data/documents, understand the relevant staff’s strengths and needs, identify action steps and any additional resources/support needed, and then implement sustainable solutions through a flexible and adaptive process. In addition, the TAP Team manages complex projects that involve multiple County departments to enhance coordination and collaboration. The team also provides ad hoc support to other divisions or departments as needed (e.g., supporting preparation of key Commissioners Court agenda items and related backup materials, improving or establishing internal OCA processes, expanding departments’ access to and awareness of available resources within the County).

Harris County seeks a mission- and data-driven, service-oriented individual who can help drive the successful execution of the team’s projects and other responsibilities. This role works closely with other P&P division members, the OCA Executive Team as applicable, and Harris County departments to execute countywide projects and other work.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Project Execution: For each TAP team project, manages the development, implementation, and refinement of a typically multi-week or -month process that includes project kickoff, assessment, brainstorming, work plan development, testing, implementation, reassessment, improvement, and sustainment. Responsible for 1-3 TAP team projects at any given time. Ensures timely and effective execution of (and, as needed, adjustments to) the project work plan, including oversight of other team members’ work and of deliverables from partner division/department staff as applicable.

• Communication: Regularly communicates with the TAP Director, other TAP team members, partner department/division leadership, Commissioners Court staff, and the OCA Executive Team as applicable on project progress and to provide and gather feedback on an ongoing basis. Special attention should be given to communicating with partner department/division leadership to maintain alignment, discuss proposed changes or other updates, and respond to feedback quickly.

• Collaboration: Collaborates effectively with staff from other supporting departments (HR, IT, Budget etc.) by coordinating efforts, clarifying roles, and aligning timelines or processes. Builds strong working relationships that support joint ownership of outcomes, improve operational flow, and reduce duplication. Regularly engages with Commissioners Court staff, elected officials, and department leadership regarding projects.

• Research and Analysis: Performs extensive research, benchmarking, and policy/data analysis as needed to inform project scope and project plans, understand best practices, and provide context for recommendations.

Other Duties

• This Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Management may, at its discretion, assign, or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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 and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
  • One (1) year of relevant experience may be substituted for each year of required education.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in project management, process improvement, strategic planning, and/or innovation.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience driving meaningful improvements or launching new projects and programs, tracking performance of those improvements and new initiatives, adjusting based on changes and feedback, reporting results, and addressing roadblocks.
• At least one (1) year of experience managing multiple direct reports.
• Experience leading and driving meaningful improvements or launching new projects and programs, tracking performance of those improvements and new initiatives, adjusting based on changes and feedback, reporting results, and addressing roadblocks.
• Demonstrated commitment to and track record of advancing equity, justice, diversity, and opportunity in operations and public policy design.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of or ability to learn quickly about public policy, Texas county government operations, laws, statutes, functions, programs, and best practices for county operations.

• Advanced knowledge of change management, project management, and team building principles.
  Ability to execute tasks in an effective and timely manner and prioritize assignments to meet directives while managing workload levels.
  Ability to establish positive relationships, maintain the highest standard of professional and personal ethics and behavior, handle sensitive or confidential information discretely, and accept and provide supervision.
  Ability to drive organizational culture and build/manage high-performing teams.

• Ability to provide counsel to, interface with, and obtain feedback from a diverse range of stakeholders, including at the leadership level (elected and appointed officials).

• Ability to continuously learn about all County operations and Commissioners Court’s goals and objectives to ensure the department is providing the appropriate service support to other County departments and offices.

• Ability to manage and motivate a team with expertise in relevant areas, including, but not limited to, technical assistance, project management, problem solving, customer service, process improvement, and performance management.

• Ability to work amidst ambiguity with a high level of emotional intelligence, curiosity, integrity, ethics, and transparency.

• Ability to manage projects flexibly based on changing context, needs, information, and priorities.

• Strong customer/client service mindset focused on listening to and understanding project partners’ challenges, respecting their time through efficient conversations and clear and concise requests, and striving to solve problems to help County departments and divisions ultimately better serve the people of Harris County.

• Highly skilled in oral and written communication, with excellent ability to review and edit memos, policy documents, process flows, reports, and other documents.

• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office and project management applications.

NOTE

Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

• Three (3) years’ experience managing multiple direct reports.
• Graduate degree in Public Policy/Administration, Law, Organizational Psychology, Organizational Design, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or related field.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certificate preferred.

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work

• Regular Full-time
• Monday – Friday | Must be available at all times.
  • Hours will be discussed during departmental interview.
  • Works nights and weekends as required.
  • This position may work from home periodically, as workload allows.

Salary

• $88,316.80 - $125,008.00 Annually
• Depends on Qualifications
• Based on 26 Pay Periods
  • Plus, benefits

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• This position is based in an office environment, where the use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, scanners, and filing cabinets is routine.
• This is largely a sedentary role. However, requirements include the ability to lift up to 10 pounds, open filing cabinets and bend or stand as necessary.
• Some local travel may be required.

Reporting Relationships

• Reports To Position: Director, Technical Assistance & Projects
• Supervises Positions: Project Manager, Technical Assistance & Projects (1)

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.
This position may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.