Senior Project Manager

Senior Project Manager

Date Posted: Oct 5, 2026

Requisition ID: 485004

Location:

Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204

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 Department of Child Services (DCS):

Join a group of passionate, dedicated public servants to support one of Indiana’s most critical missions!

The Department of Child Services helps children who are victims of abuse or neglect and strengthens families through services that focus on family support and preservation. We pursue permanency for children and families through reunification, guardianship, and adoption. Our services also encompass foster care, child support, and transitional support for those adjusting to adulthood. Our culture is built upon our MVP foundation:

Mission: Champion Indiana’s future by protecting children and strengthening families with compassion and determination.

Vision: Every child in Indiana thrives in a safe, loving, forever home.

Purpose: Ignite hope. Cultivate joy.

Role Overview:

Leading the field project management team requires coordinated field-level support that blends strategic planning with practical field execution to keep multi-team, multi-location initiatives moving forward to help better serve children, families and communities across Indiana.

As a leader, the Senior PM will manage five Project Managers – one project manager within each region. The team is remote throughout the state – working mainly from local offices in the field – which requires additional management to engage and track team members.

Currently, this team has 68 open projects (10 support projects). As the Senior PM, the individual will set the bar for the team by:

• Ensure all projects are properly documented in Smartsheet and coordinate with central office project management team monthly to compare statewide initiatives.

• Define project scope: translating organizational goals into actionable plans, such as policy rollouts, Smartsheet builds or support-program deployment.

• Assist in developing detailed work plans: including task breakdowns and milestones to ensure smart resource allocation and timely delivery; making course corrections when necessary.

• Provide support and direction to ensure project see the finish line: addressing roadblocks, additional support, executive decisions, etc.

• Coordinate efforts across all project managers (field and central office), field case managers/supervisors, regional leaders and executive staff to guarantee smooth project implementation.

• Perform knowledge transfers: detailed documentation, training guides, process maps, and entry assets to support continuity.

• Gather lessons learned and feedback: post-implementation, reiterate processes to inform future project planning, tool enhancements or policy rollouts.

• Continuously assess workloads, training needs and support needs within each project team.

As a manager, he or she will be expected to lead team meetings and one-on-one meetings with the five project managers; bi-weekly or monthly meetings with the Central Office project manager team; and provide monthly reports to Regional Field leadership.

Salary:

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 to 401(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

• Referral Bonus program

• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits

• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

• Free Parking for most positions

• Free LinkedIn Learning access

Equal Employment Opportunity:

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 View email address on click.appcast.io.

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