Senior Project Manager (WMS2/PPD) – Project

71114446

This is a project position funded through January 1^st, 2032.

The Legislature has also approved a 2% general wage increase for all state employees, effective July 1, 2026.

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Are you a strategic project management professional ready to drive impactful initiatives that transform public health care? The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead our high-priority behavioral health and IT portfolios. You will champion project excellence, mentor staff, and guide complex projects from vision to execution - all while enjoying a highly flexible telework schedule.

All HCA employees will apply an equity lens to their work, which may include but is not limited to all analyses of core business and processes.

About the division:

The Planning and Performance Division (PPD) is the strategic advisor that designs, oversees, and deploys organizational strategies with executives and programs in pursuit of HCA’s vision of a Healthier Washington. The Planning and Performance Division (PPD) is responsible for agency-wide strategy, structure, standards, and oversight for key business areas of project planning, organizational performance, and customer and employee experience.

About the position:

The Senior Project Manager serves as a primary manager for high priority projects across the agency. This position leads and directs assigned staff from all levels within assigned projects; supports customers as a subject matter expert regarding project management strategies; provides consultation and technical assistance to leadership, and coaching and mentoring to HCA staff; consults with internal and external stakeholders to ensure successful reporting and completion of projects, alignment with organizational strategies and contract management with external contractors as needed. This position develops and maintains project planning documents and processes, work breakdown structures and all other project documents as necessary in the project management methodology. This also includes responsibility for planning, staffing, scope, reporting, risk management and change control processes for each project.

This position is eligible to telework and is typically not required to report on-site. Minimal travel may be required to attend training, conferences, or events. The default assigned work location of all Health Care Authority (HCA) positions – both on-site and telework eligible positions – is within the State of Washington. This position reports to Olympia, WA. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. All agency employees are required to report on-site in Olympia on their first and last days of employment to pick up and return state-issued equipment, regardless of telework status or location.

Some of what you will do:

• This position is responsible for directing and managing agency wide projects affecting all aspects of HCA's business, including staff, IT development, business processes, statewide policy development, implementation, service delivery, and operational support. Projects will range in scope of size (breadth of stakeholders), impact, and risk.
• The PMO Senior Project Manager develops and maintains project planning documents and processes, work breakdown structure and all other project documents as necessary within the project management methodology.
• The Senior Project Manager serves as the primary project manager for the Behavioral Health Data Infrastructure (BHSI) portfolio of projects. They act as a subject matter expert regarding project management strategies and tactics; provide consultation and technical assistance to leadership, and coaching and mentoring to HCA staff; consult with internal and external stakeholders to ensure successful completion of projects and contract management with external contractors as needed.
• The Senior Project Manager leads and directs assigned staff from all levels within their projects. They are responsible for planning, staffing, scope, reporting, risk management and change control processes for each project.
• The position will provide regular reporting to executive leadership.
• Utilizes advanced management skills and principles, organizational leadership skills, and understanding of HCA's business and technical concepts to ensure timelines and deliverables are achieved, issues are documented and resolved, and risks associated with projects mitigated.
• Actively manages issues and risks. Provides leadership in the identification, documentation and resolution of project issues and risks.

Required qualifications:

Consistent with Procurement Reform Law (RCW 39.26.110), this position requires the completion of the following DES contracts training courses within 90 days of hire:

• WA State Contract Management 101 & WA State Purchasing and Procurement Ethics.

Qualifying candidates will meet one of the following criteria options:

Option 1:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Five (5) years of hands-on experience in managing projects in a wide range of subject areas (such as IT, facilities, service delivery, operational support, or organizational change).
• Completion of a Project Management Professional (PMP) certificate.

Option 2:

• Nine (9) years of experience in the related fields above.
• Completion of a Project Management Professional (PMP) certificate.

Required competencies:

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Five years' experience managing progressively complex projects.
• Ability to maintain high ethics and integrity.
• Demonstrated commitment to quality, diversity and public service values.

Preferred qualifications:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Project).
• Continuous improvement skills including process improvement and use of feedback from clients and stakeholders to increase agency effectiveness and efficiency.
• Ability to manage highly skilled professionals who will aid in the successful implementation and development of various projects.

Project management knowledge, skills and ability to:

• Apply Project Management methodologies, tools and techniques to include initiating, planning, executing, controlling and closing a project.
• Facilitate large, diverse groups.
• Plan, lead, organize and control work performed by project team members.
• Identify, mitigate and manage project risks.

Excellent communication skills with the ability to:

• Interact effectively with others across a broad spectrum of managerial, administrative and professional staff.
• Write clearly and effectively.
• Understand and communicate complex information.

Leadership skills with the ability to:

• Help grow and maintain high performing organization.
• Mentor staff in other areas of HCA to promote use of project management skills across the organization.
• Think creatively.
• Participate in group problem solving and decision making.
• Network with internal and external stakeholders.
• Work independently.
• Organize and prioritize a wide range of responsibilities.
• Develop timely action plans and status reports.

Knowledge of:

• State and Agency IT Portfolio Management policies, standards and processes.
• HCA vision, mission, programs, and systems.
• Federal and state laws, rules and regulations.
• Health care, behavioral health and/or Medicaid services.
• Lean methodologies.
• HCA administrative policy and procedures in the area of procurement Washington state
• contracts training and certification.
• Washington state legislative, budget and authorizing environment.

How to apply:

Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification. To apply for this position, you will need to complete your profile which includes three professional references and attach in separate files:

• A cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position
• Current resume

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
• Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

About HCA:

Functioning as both the state's largest health care purchaser and its behavioral health authority, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is a leader in ensuring Washington residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

There are three pillars of our work: Apple Health (Medicaid); the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs; and behavioral health and recovery. Under these pillars, HCA purchases health care, including behavioral health treatment for more than 2.7 million Washington residents and provides behavioral health prevention, crisis, and recovery supports to all Washington residents.

What we have to offer:

• Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve Voices of HCA
• A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered HCA's Mission, Vision & Values
• A healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
• A great total compensation and benefit package WA State Government Benefits
• A safe, pleasant workplace in a convenient location with restaurants, and shopping nearby.
• And free parking!

Notes:

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment.

HCA is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. HCA has five employee resource groups (ERGs). ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups whose aim is to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with HCA’s mission. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Studies have shown women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons of disability are less likely to apply for jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification as described in a job description. Persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are also encouraged to apply. If you have any questions about the required qualifications or how your experience relates to them, please contact us at HCAjobs@hca.wa.gov. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact Angelic Matthews at angelic.matthews@hca.wa.gov

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is an E-Verify employer. All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.

E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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