Cognitive is seeking a Project Manager to support the VA T4NG Consolidated Corporate Support Services (CCSS) program serving our Department of Veterans Affairs Corporate Portfolio clients across the entire U.S. The Project Manager will report to the Program Manager and will need to have a profound understanding of Agile methodologies to lead and manage multiple project teams. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of successfully delivering complex projects using Agile frameworks and possess expertise in utilizing tools like Jira for efficient project management.
Key Responsibilities:
- Utilize Agile methodologies, including Scrum and Kanban, to plan, execute, and deliver projects on time and within scope.
- Champion Agile principles and practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability within project teams.
- Lead and manage multiple project teams, providing guidance, support, and coaching to ensure teams are working cohesively toward project goals.
- Foster a collaborative and transparent environment, promoting open communication and a shared understanding of project objectives .
- Develop detailed project plans, defining scope, timelines, resources, and milestones.
- Work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment between project deliverables and business objectives .
- Proactively identify and address potential risks and dependencies, implementing mitigation strategies to ensure successful project outcomes.
- Leverage Jira as a central tool for project tracking, issue management, and collaboration.
- Customize and optimize Jira workflows and configurations to align with Agile practices and project requirements.
- Train and support team members in utilizing Jira effectively for task management, sprint planning, and reporting.
- Establish and maintain effective communication channels with stakeholders, providing regular updates on project progress, risks, and changes.
- Collaborate with product owners, business analysts, and other stakeholders to gather and prioritize project requirements.
- Ensure the successful delivery of all contract-related commitments and milestones.
- Collaborate with legal and procurement teams to review, negotiate, and manage project contracts.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with customers through regular communication and engagement.
- Gather customer feedback, identify areas for improvement, and ensure customer satisfaction throughout the project lifecycle.
- Implement and oversee quality assurance processes, ensuring that project deliverables meet the highest standards and adhere to Agile best practices.
- Conduct regular reviews and retrospectives to identify opportunities for improvement and lessons learned.
Required Skills:
- Skillsets must include mastery/certification in the following key areas:
- Agile, Kanban, Scrum
- Project and Program Management
- Experience leading and coordinating multiple teams in a fast-paced, complex technology environment
- Ability to easily build new relationships and proactively establish a variety of contacts across the client’s and our own internal organization
- Broad range of program/project management and leadership skills required
- Proven ability to balance multiple, concurrent /parallel activitie s
- Strong knowledge and experience in software development in an Agile delivery environment
Required Education, Experience, and Clearance:
- Bachelor s and six (6) year s or more of related experience, - OR –
- Masters and fo ur (4) years or more experience
- Ability to obtain a VA Position of Public Trust – Medium Background Investigation (MBI)
Desired Skills:
- A highly-motivated self-starter with a positive attitude and outstanding interpersonal skills
- A work ethic and technical knowledge that inspires others to aspire to, with the ability to self-manage workload and deliverables under tight deadlines across multiple product lines in a large portfolio
- Government contract delivery experience in an Agile delivery environment