IT Product Manager

This is a Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly position with the Department of Social Services. For more information on the DSS, visit The Department of Social Services is looking for an individual with a strong technical background in product management and prior experience in software development projects to serve as IT Product Manager with a focus on Behavioral Health and the Human Services Center (HSC). The Product Owner for Behavioral Health and the Human Services Center serves as the strategic leader responsible for defining, prioritizing, and guiding technology initiatives that support clinical operations, staff efficiency, patient experience, data management, and regulatory compliance. This role partners closely with division leadership, subject‑matter experts, clinicians, operational staff, and IT teams to ensure solutions align with the Department's strategic objectives and deliver meaningful, sustainable outcomes. The position will not be responsible for any direct reports but will work collaboratively with product users within these divisions as well as the Bureau of Information and Technology and other stakeholders. If you have strong problem‑solving and prioritization skills, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and can work effectively with a cross‑functional team while wanting to make a difference in people's lives, this is the ideal position for you. The Ideal Candidate Will Have: The ideal candidate will have 5–8 years of experience as an IT product owner or related IT field. Preference will be given to those with prior experience managing a product throughout its lifecycle (SDLC) and/or holding a project management certification such as PMP or a similar credential. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Understanding and managing stakeholders both internal and external that support the IT products utilized by Behavioral Health programs. Collaborating with the teams that are users of the products. Building and managing product roadmaps. Translating goals into product strategy. Assisting in building and completing IT strategy related projects while collaborating with internal and external resources. Maintaining and refining the product backlog. Responsible for the strategic planning and development of IT products and solutions, including defining product roadmaps, prioritizing features, and overseeing product development processes. Collaborating with cross‑functional teams, including development, design, and training, to ensure successful product launches. Collaborating with stakeholders to define project scope, objectives, and deliverables, ensuring alignment with business goals and requirements. Developing comprehensive project plans, timelines, and resource allocation, and managing project budgets to ensure successful execution. Leading project teams, coordinating activities, and assigning tasks to team members, ensuring adherence to project schedules and milestones. Identifying project risks and developing mitigation strategies to minimize potential issues and ensure project success. Communicating project progress, updates, and status reports to stakeholders and senior management, ensuring transparency and effective decision‑making. Managing changes to project scope, timelines, and requirements, and assessing their impact on project deliverables and resources. Conducting regular project meetings and facilitating effective communication among team members and stakeholders. Ensuring adherence to project management methodologies, best practices, and quality standards throughout the project lifecycle. Monitoring and tracking project progress, identifying variances, and implementing corrective actions to keep projects on track. Managing project documentation, including project plans, status reports, and documentation of project‑related decisions and changes. This position is exempt from the Civil Service Act. This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08. The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I‑9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E‑Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire. The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS. An Equal Opportunity Employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr