Program Manager

We are seeking a senior IT leader to serve as second in Columbia, SC. This working-manager role oversees daily IT operations in coordination with the IT Operations Manager, manages outsourced Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and statewide shared-services vendor relationships, and supports enterprise cybersecurity, compliance, and infrastructure integrations. This engagement is a 12-month contract-to-hire opportunity with a direct path to full-time state employment (FTE) upon successful completion of the contract period.

Location: 1200 Senate Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Work Arrangement: Fully On-Site (Monday Friday, 8:30 AM 5:00 PM; On-call rotation for after-hours support)

Residency Requirement: Candidates MUST be current South Carolina residents (No relocation permitted)

Role Type: 12-Month Contract-to-Hire (Intended conversion to permanent FTE state position)

Submission Deadline: Friday, October 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST

Interview Process: 4-Step Process (1. Virtual Interview; 2. Onsite Interview; 3. Guided Situation-Based Work Sample Questionnaire; 4. Final Onsite Interview with Senior Leadership)

Shift / Schedule: EST Business Hours + Rotating After-Hours/Weekend Support

Compliance & Physical Notes: Requires 7-year background and credit check prior to start. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs, bend, reach, and work under desks for hardware setup/support as needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Division Leadership & Management: Serve as second-in-command for the IT Division, directly supervising the IT Operations Manager and technical staff while guiding daily operations and long-range technology planning.
• Vendor & MSP Oversight: Manage outsourced Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and statewide shared-services relationships across infrastructure, business applications, and helpdesk functions; enforce strict Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and performance metrics.
• Cybersecurity Operations & Incident Response: Serve as a core member of the agency Information Security Team, leading incident response, vulnerability management programs, risk assessments, and remediation tracking in a regulated financial environment.
• Enterprise Integrations & Infrastructure: Oversee system integrations with statewide SAP environments, financial institution interfaces, secure file transfers, and identity management platforms (Active Directory, Microsoft Entra ID, Intune).
• Audit, Compliance & Governance: Direct access control reviews, annual audits, regulatory policy compliance, and IT procurement/contract renewals while monitoring division budget allocations.
• Hands-On Tactical Execution: Act as a "working manager," stepping in to troubleshoot complex operational issues, direct hardware deployments, and participate in an on-call rotation for emergency maintenance.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• Progressive IT Leadership: 6+ years of progressive IT experience managing complex enterprise information technology functions.
• Supervisory Experience: 3+ years of full-time supervisory experience directly managing technical teams and operational workflows.
• Managed Service Provider (MSP) Oversight: Proven experience holding MSPs and outsourced vendors accountable to strict SLAs and performance standards.
• Cybersecurity Operations: Leadership experience in cybersecurity operations, including incident response, vulnerability management, and risk assessments.
• Identity & Access Management: Working knowledge of Active Directory, Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD), and Microsoft Intune administration.
• South Carolina Residency: Candidate must currently reside in South Carolina.

Preferred Qualifications

• Regulated Industry & Government Experience: IT leadership experience within state government, financial services, or highly regulated environments involving audits, compliance, and risk frameworks.
• Shared Services Models: Experience navigating state government shared-services delivery models.
• Enterprise Financial Systems: Hands-on experience with SAP integrations, banking/financial interfaces, and secure file transfer protocols.
• IT Financials & Procurement: Experience managing IT procurement, vendor contract renewals, and operating budgets.
• Industry Certifications: CISSP, CISM, CompTIA Security+, ITIL, or PMP certification.