Description Summary of Job Responsibilities

The Project Manager is responsible for coordinating, overseeing, and managing complex IT and Application Development projects from initiation to completion. This role works closely with cross-functional teams including IT staff, developers, engineers, business units and other stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of projects within scope, budget, and timeline. The Project Manager is accountable for assembling project plans and team assignments, directing and monitoring work efforts, identifying resource needs, performing quality reviews, and escalating functional, quality, or timeline issues as appropriate. The role also includes tracking key project milestones and adjusting project plans and/or resources to meet evolving business and technical needs. Communication across all impacted business areas is essential to manage scope, budget, risk, and resources effectively.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Employees are held accountable for all duties of the job. Individuals must be able to perform these duties with or without reasonable accommodations.

Defines, tailors and reinforces project management framework, including governance, change management, risk / issue/ decision management frameworks.
Develop and Execute detailed project plans, schedules, and resource allocations to effectively coordinate and prioritize project activities.
Track key project milestones and adjust plans and resources as needed to meet business and technical requirements.
Manage project budgets, track expenses, and provide regular status and quality reports to stakeholders.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

Coordinate and collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product management, change management, IT staff, developers, engineers, designers, quality assurance, and business stakeholders to ensure smooth project execution and timely delivery. Mentor IT and Application Development team members on project management best practices and defined processes and standards. Models collaborative leadership, communication, influencing, and strategic thinking. Foster effective communication and collaboration among team members, stakeholders, and executives.

Risk & Quality Management

Perform quality reviews and ensure deliverables meet defined standards and expectations. Escalate functional, quality, or timeline issues appropriately. Leads integrated risk reviews across workstreams; quantifying impact and driving response plans.

Process Improvement & Standards

Adhere to and assist in continuous improvement of enterprise project management practices, standards, processes, and metrics. Conduct thorough project evaluations and post-implementation reviews to identify areas for improvement and incorporate lessons learned into future projects.

Stakeholder Communication

Coordinate communication with all areas of the business that impact the scope, budget, risk, and resources of the work effort being managed. Provide regular project updates and status reports to stakeholders and leadership.

Professional Development

Stay up to date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices related to project management and IT project delivery.

Other Duties/Responsibilities

Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, or related field. 5+ years of experience managing technical or IT projects. Proven experience with project management tools (e.g., Jira, MS Project, Asana). Strong understanding of SDLC, Agile, and/or Waterfall methodologies. Expertise in resource management practices and change management techniques. Excellent leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and guide cross-functional teams. Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, with a focus on finding innovative solutions. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in Pension, Investment, Finance, public sector, nonprofit, or mission driven organizations. PMP, Agile, or other project/program management certifications. Familiarity with DevOps practices and CI/CD pipelines.

Working Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Standard office environment with frequent telephone communication, computer operation, and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy and printer machine. Occasional moving and positioning supplies in excess of 20 pounds. All employees are expected to present themselves in a professional manner in alignment with the financial services industry. Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time. Ability to operate standard PC equipment. Ability to handle stress associated with frequent deadline and tight schedules.

Hybrid Work Option

Opportunity to work from home up to two days per week. Eligibility dependent upon factors detailed in PERA's Work from Home Policy.

Qualifications

The Senior Project Manager requirements include those of the preceding level.

Project Manager II Senior Project Manager Scope and Complexity of Work

Lead and manage the entire lifecycle of medium and large technical projects, including initiating, execution, monitoring, and closure. Lead and manage cross-project dependencies, projects that involve multiple internal and external teams (10+ people). Lead and manage the entire lifecycle of complex technical projects, including initiating, execution, monitoring, and closure. Lead and manage cross-project dependencies, projects that involve multiple internal and external teams (20+ people). Ensures adherence to organizational standards.

Education/Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field and 7+ years of experience managing technical or IT projects or a combination of an equivalent of education and experience. Successfully delivered at least 5 medium (6-12 months, 5-10 FTEs, $250,000 – $500,000) and 3 large (12-24 months, 10-20 FTEs, $500,000 – $1,500,000) projects. Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field and 10+ years of experience managing complex and large technical or IT projects or a combination of an equivalent of education. Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems is preferred. Successfully delivered at least 5 large (12-24 months, 10-20 FTEs, $500,000 – $1,500,000) and 2 complex (24+ months, 20+ FTEs, $2,000,000+) projects.

Leadership

Excellent leadership skills with the ability to motivate and guide cross-functional teams and manage collaboration with remote teams. Serves as a supporter to the PMO by testing and implementing new practices and processes and providing feedback. Mentor less senior project managers and lead on estimation, risk, engagement, and communications. Serves as a key member to the PMO in identifying, documenting, and implementing of the project management processes, tools, and best practices.

Skills

At least 5 years’ proven experience with project management tools (e.g. JIRA, MS Project, Asana). Demonstrated, strong understanding of SDLC and project management methodologies such as Agile (Scrum, Kanban, SAFe, Scrum of Scrums, and/or LeSS), Waterfall, and Hybrid methodologies. Expertise in resource management practices and change management techniques. At least 5-7 years’ enhanced experience with project management tools (e.g. JIRA, MS Project, Smartsheet, Asana, Power BI, ServiceNow). Enhanced understanding of SDLC and project management methodologies such as Agile (Scrum, Kanban, SAFe, Scrum of Scrums, and/or LeSS), Waterfall, and Hybrid methodologies. Expertise in resource management practices and change management techniques.

Communication/Teamwork

Proven experience in presenting status reports to project teams, key stakeholders, and Steering Committees. Identifies collaboration approach and manages communication plans. Proven experience in presenting key updates to Executive Leaders and/or Executive Steering Committees. Identifies collaboration approach and manages communication plans for multi-level reporting.

Certifications

At least one required: Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, PROSCI certification, Lean/Six Sigma certification, Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or similar certification. At least two required: Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, PROSCI certification, Lean/Six Sigma certification, Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or similar certification.

Interested Candidates:

Complete the employment application online at https://www.copera.org/careers. Please have copies of your resume and cover letter available to upload. Please review the following questions. You will be asked for a response to these as part of your application: How many years of relevant experience do you possess? Describe your most challenging project.

Job Description Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of an employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned with or without notice. Unfortunately, at this time, PERA cannot consider candidates that require sponsorship (now or in the future), or are located outside of the US. All Colorado PERA employees are subject to PERA’s Ethics Policy and some employees are subject to the Personal Trading Policy. These policies include restrictions on outside business activities and employment and have certain requirements on personal trading. You may request copies of these policies from PERA’s talent acquisition team and any questions can be answered by PERA’s Investment Administration team.

About Colorado PERA

Looking for a career where you can make a difference? Colorado PERA offers benefit services to public employees across Colorado, including teachers, state troopers, snowplow drivers, correctional officers and many others who provide valuable services. As Colorado’s largest pension plan, we serve and educate over 700,000 members who are former and current public employees. At PERA you will earn more than a paycheck. PERA is a culture where you can grow your potential and work in an inclusive environment, where diverse perspectives are valued. We hire exceptional employees and recognize that our people are our best asset. Not only do we make sound investments for our members, PERA invests in our employees’ growth through training and leadership opportunities. To promote wellbeing, we offer hybrid or flexible working options for most roles and a total rewards and benefit program including health, dental and vision coverage - eligibility starts the first day of the month following the date of hire for most plans; generous paid time off and volunteer hours; pension and retirement plans, including PERA’s defined benefit plan, 457 defined contribution plan, and 401(k) employer match, as applicable; tuition assistance; free, convenient on-site parking or RTD subsidy; free on-site fitness center to stay active; employee assistance program; training, leadership and mentoring programs and more. PERA is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualifying employer. To learn more about life at PERA, watch this video or visit www.copera.org/careers.