Vendor Manager / Project Manager

Position Summary

The PALS Project Manager comprehensively supports the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) and the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) in all facets of overseeing the specifications and requirements of the Commissions’ PALS Systems contract This role ensures the vendor meets all contractual, technical, operational, and compliance obligations. The PALS Project Manager will coordinate between internal stakeholders and the vendor and provide oversight of ongoing system operations, enhancements, releases, testing, and review cycles while maintaining strong communication channels. Familiarity with resource management, conservation, and outdoor recreation is preferred.

Key Responsibilities

Vendor & Contract Management

• Serves as the primary point of contact for the vendor and manages all contractual obligations

• Acts as a key liaison between the PFBC and PGC and the PALS platform vendor to communicate requirements, surface issues, and coordinate enhancements

• Leads weekly, monthly, and annual vendor performance meetings and special project meetings

• Ensures deliverables meet quality expectations, timelines, and contract terms

• Maintains documentation of contract amendments, renewals, and change orders

• Conducts annual vendor background check reviews and compliance verification

System Performance Monitoring

• Monitors and reports on Service Level Agreement (SLA) performance, identifying trends and escalating issues as needed

• Tracks system uptime, downtime, incidents, failures, and root cause analyses

• Reviews and validates System and Organization Controls (SOC) reports, Disaster Recovery (DR) test results, and other vendor provided compliance artifacts

• Coordinates DR test planning, execution, and validation

Change Management & Enhancements

• Oversees the change request process, including scoping, prioritization, approvals, and hours tracking

• Drives planning and delivery of system enhancements and new functionality

• Maintains the change request hours budget and provides regular updates to leadership

• Manages blackout dates, release schedules, and impact assessments

• Conducts lessons-learned session after projects to identify recommendations for improvement

Testing & Release Coordination

• Plans and coordinates User Acceptance Testing (UAT) activities with internal teams and the vendor

• Ensures successful production deployments and validates post-release system performance

• Facilitates load testing and accessibility testing to meet state and federal compliance requirements

Compliance & Governance

• Ensures the system and vendor activities adhere to accessibility requirements (such as WCAG/Section 508)

• Monitors compliance with security standards and audit requirements

• Maintains documentation, risk logs, and operational procedures

• Coordinates with security, legal, and compliance teams to ensure projects adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and policies

• Supports audits and reviews related to project activities and system changes

Interpersonal & Leadership Skills

• Demonstrates exceptional communication skills, providing clear, concise, and actionable information to both technical and nontechnical stakeholders

• Fosters a team-oriented environment and builds collaborative relationships with vendor, agency teams, and leadership by exercising open communication, shared goals, and problem-solving skills

• Maintains a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset when addressing issues, risks, or system challenges.

• Exhibits strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple competing priorities

• Leads meetings effectively, ensuring discussions stay on track and that action items, owners, and deadlines are clearly defined, documented, and communicated

• Fosters a team-oriented environment by encouraging open communication, shared goals, and collaborative problem solving

Skills & Qualifications

• PMP Certification (Required)

• 10+ years of experience managing IT vendors and complex systems (Required)

• Strong understanding of SLAs, contract management, and IT governance

• Knowledge of system testing practices (UAT, load testing, DR testing)

• Familiarity with accessibility compliance standards

• Excellent communication, coordination, meeting facilitation, and problem-solving skills

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain strong relationships with vendors and stakeholders

This position is required to report to the PFBC and/or PGC Headquarters in Harrisburg, PA, three days per week or more, depending on meeting schedules. Appropriate office space will be provided.

The agencies will require in-person, face-to-face interviews only.