Sr. Project Manager - Early Child Care Systems IT Assistant Director II

Introduction The Maryland State Department of Education is dedicated to supporting a world-class educational system that prepares all students for college and career success in the 21st century. With excellent stewardship from our divisions, we oversee State and federal programs that support the needs of a diverse population — students, teachers, principals, and other educators throughout Maryland.

GRADE

23

LOCATION OF POSITION

Nancy S. Grasmick Education Building 200 West Baltimore Street Baltimore, MD 21201 (Hybrid eligible; on-call availability required for production deployments and critical incidents; Global Protect VPN required for all MSDE system access) Main Purpose of Job This contractual position serves as the dedicated technology program manager for the Division of Early Childhood (DEC) within the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), with exclusive responsibility for a high-visibility, high-stakes portfolio that administers approximately half a billion dollars annually in child care scholarship funding and directly serves Maryland children, families, and child care providers — small businesses operating on thin margins. Manages the CCATS/CCS system family including the family and provider portals, associated vendors, and all integrations; directs day-to-day vendor performance and system operations; and ensures the portfolio remains aligned with DEC program priorities, MSDE direction, legislative requirements, and state technology standards. Tracks and manages multiple concurrent and often overlapping initiatives, issues, and priorities that must be distinguished and addressed independently. Operates in a dynamic environment where processes may not be fully defined; creates structure, drives decisions, and maintains institutional knowledge of the systems, vendor relationships, and program history across an environment subject to change. Facilitates DEC’s participation in the active migration to AWS cloud infrastructure and drives ongoing process improvement across the portfolio. Leads requirements development and project management for the child care systems modernization — a major, complex initiative with a planned scope broader than the current system footprint. The portfolio carries sensitive data including personally identifiable information (PII), CJIS-protected information, and protected health and disability records. Reports to the IT Director of Project Management.

POSITION DUTIES

Program Oversight and Portfolio Coordination Maintains current, comprehensive awareness of the status, performance, planned maintenance, and upcoming changes across the CCATS/CCS system family — including the family and provider portals, the legacy CCATS system, associated vendors, and all connected systems and integrations — with exclusive focus on DEC’s technology portfolio. Tracks multiple concurrent initiatives, issues, and priorities that may appear related but must be managed independently; maintains the institutional knowledge of systems, vendor history, and program context necessary to do so accurately over time. Monitors system health, availability, accessibility, and security posture; escalates issues promptly and tracks to closure. Prioritizes and tracks enhancements, corrections, and mandated changes including those driven by new legislation, executive direction, or DEC program priorities, ensuring forward motion and clear accountability. Facilitates DEC’s participation in the active migration of child care systems to AWS cloud infrastructure, coordinating vendor and system readiness and ensuring DEC’s needs and constraints are represented through the transition without disruption to program operations. Identifies and advances process improvements across system operations, vendor coordination, and delivery workflows. Recognizes data sensitivity implications (PII, CJIS-protected information, and protected health and disability records) and engages appropriate MSDE resources as needed. Vendor Management and Financial Oversight Manages day-to-day vendor performance across the multi-vendor CCATS/CCS environment based on direction from the CIO and DEC leadership. Facilitates cross-vendor coordination to resolve issues, align priorities, and maintain service continuity. Reviews and approves contractor invoices; maintains current statements of work; tracks total program expenditures against appropriations and budget authority; monitors burn rates and flags variances or emerging shortfalls to MSDE leadership promptly. Provides regular financial status updates to designated MSDE personnel and stakeholders. Provides input on procurements and supports development of scopes of work and evaluation criteria as requested. Project Governance, Compliance, and Risk Management Shepherds system changes and modernization initiatives through MSDE and DoIT governance processes including privacy, security, accessibility, and AI reviews, ensuring timely and complete submissions. Tracks and implements changes required by new legislation, governor priorities, and MSDE policy direction; maintains awareness of compliance timelines and escalates risk of noncompliance. Prepares and maintains project documentation consistent with DoIT policies including Project Charters, the DoIT Quad Report, and risk and issue logs. Proactively identifies, documents, and manages project risks; develops mitigation strategies and escalates when risks threaten timeline, budget, or program objectives. Remains current on applicable laws, regulations, and state IT policies affecting the child care systems portfolio. Child Care Systems Modernization Leads requirements development for the child care systems modernization, ensuring requirements are comprehensive, traceable, and stakeholder-approved prior to procurement. The modernization initiative is anticipated to have a scope broader than the current system footprint and represents a significant, high-visibility commitment for MSDE and DEC. Serves as a strong contributor to the competitive procurement for a replacement system in coordination with DEC, MSDE leadership, and procurement staff. Manages the modernization project from award through implementation using PMI, Agile, or hybrid methods appropriate to the complexity of the effort. Briefs MSDE and DoIT executives on modernization goals, approach, status, risks, and decisions throughout the project lifecycle. Stakeholder Coordination, Communication, and Decision Management Serves as the primary communicator on the status, health, and direction of the DEC technology portfolio to ITB leadership, DEC leadership, and other stakeholders. Prepares and delivers regular status reports, briefings, and escalation communications that are accurate, timely, and actionable. Identifies decision-makers across the vendor and internal stakeholder landscape; surfaces issues and choices clearly and drives them to closure without unnecessary delay. Creates structure in an environment where processes may not be fully defined; establishes or clarifies workflows, approval chains, and coordination mechanisms as needed to keep work moving. Convenes appropriate groups regularly to assure proper oversight and timely approvals. May provide work direction to contract business analysts or junior project managers supporting the portfolio; assigns work, ensures quality, and maintains forward momentum across concurrent initiatives. Minimum Qualifications Experience : Seven or more years managing complex, multi-vendor technology programs in government, health and human services, benefits administration, or comparable regulated environments. Demonstrated ability to hold vendors accountable, coordinate across a multi-vendor ecosystem, and keep distinct vendor and program issues from being conflated. Proven ability to track and manage multiple concurrent, overlapping priorities without losing thread; skilled at identifying decision-makers and driving issues to closure. Experience managing contracts, statements of work, invoice approval, budget tracking, and competitive procurements including requirements development. Desired Or Preferred Qualifications Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications. PMP or other recognized project or program management credential. Direct experience with large-scale IT modernization or re-procurement, including efforts requiring course correction. Experience with child care, early childhood education, or benefits administration technology. Familiarity with Maryland DoIT governance processes and/or Maryland child care programs. Experience with legislative or regulatory change tracking and system impact assessment. Ability to create structure and maintain accountability in environments where processes are not fully defined; comfortable acting without waiting for perfect conditions. Technical literacy sufficient to engage vendors and ask the right questions — without deep technical expertise. Special Requirements Applicants must consent to State and FBI (CJIS) background check as a routine procedure for all employees. Benefits Contractual employees who work for an agency covered under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program, have a current employment contract and work 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents. As a contractual employee, you will be responsible for paying 25% of the premiums for your medical and prescription coverage, including any eligible dependents you have enrolled. The State of Maryland will subsidize the remaining 75% of the cost for these benefits. You can also elect to enroll in dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance, but will be responsible to pay the full premium for these benefits. Leave may be granted to a contractual employee at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, not to exceed 40 hours per calendar year. Inquiries can be made to View phone number on click.appcast.io, TDD View phone number on click.appcast.io. Appropriate accommodations can be made for individuals with disabilities. If you have difficulty with your user account or have general questions about this online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division at View phone number on click.appcast.io. TTY Users: Call via Maryland Relay. Proof of eligibility to work is required in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Any misrepresentation of academic or experience requirements for this position may result in non-selection or termination of employment. As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country. #J-18808-Ljbffr State of Maryland