Project Manager

IT Project ManagerOur client, a State agency, is seeking an IT Project Manager with a strong systems administration background to lead and deliver technology initiatives. This is an individual contributor role with no direct reports. The person in it will report to a single agency manager and own projects from start to finish with minimal supervision. You will partner closely with the Office of Information Technology (Client) and third-party vendors to deliver projects on time, within scope, and with minimal disruption to agency operations. Your hands-on technical experience in Microsoft 365 and cloud platforms will help you plan realistically, hold vendors accountable, and communicate credibly with technical teams.Project Management•Lead IT projects and initiatives from planning through delivery, managing scope, schedules, risks, dependencies, and deliverables •Develop project plans, timelines, and work breakdowns, and keep them current as priorities change •Prepare status reports, meeting agendas, and action item follow-ups for agency leadership and stakeholders •Plan and manage migrations, upgrades, and rollouts, including communication, testing, and cutover coordination •Identify risks and issues early, and escalate to your manager with clear options and recommendations •Document lessons learned and maintain project recordsStakeholder, Client, and Vendor Management•Serve as the primary point of contact between the agency, Client, and third-party vendors •Coordinate vendor work, review deliverables, and track progress against statements of work and schedules •Facilitate meetings across technical and non-technical stakeholders and drive decisions to closure •Translate technical details into clear updates for leadership, and business needs into clear requirements for technical teamsTechnical Support and Systems Administration•Apply hands-on knowledge of Microsoft 365 (Exchange Online, Teams, OneDrive, Entra ID, Intune) to plan, validate, and support project work •Work with AWS and/or Azure environments to support cloud-related projects, including access, configuration, and migration activities •Step in on administration tasks, troubleshooting, and documentation when projects require it •Help ensure project outcomes meet state security policies and standardsRequired Qualifications•Demonstrated experience managing or coordinating IT projects, including schedules, scope, risks, and status reporting (formal PM certification not required) •Working knowledge of Microsoft 365 administration •Working experience with AWS and/or Microsoft Azure •Experience managing vendors and working with cross-functional teams •Ability to work independently, prioritize competing demands, and manage your own workload •Strong written and verbal communication skills •Ability to work on-site in Montgomery, AL for the duration of the contract •Ability to pass a background check (ALEA check will be performed).Preferred Qualifications•Experience with SharePoint administration or SharePoint Online is a huge bonus •Prior experience supporting state or local government, or other public sector environments •Experience working with a central IT organization such as the Alabama Client •Familiarity with Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid project methodologies •Familiarity with ITIL or similar service management practices •Experience with project tools such as Microsoft Project, Planner, Smartsheet, or Jira •Relevant certifications, such as CAPM, CompTIA Project+, Microsoft 365 Certified, Azure Administrator (AZ-104), or AWS Certified (PMP is a plus but not required)EducationBachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.Benefits: Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance Plans 401k Retirement Fund