Project Manager III

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Functional Title: Project Manager III 
Job Title: Project Manager III 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: MCS Project Advisory Coor 
Posting Number: 11400 
Closing Date: 12/02/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Community and Social Services 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-24 
Salary Range: $5,425.33 - $7,500.00 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework:  
Travel: Up to 5% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 4601 W GUADALUPE ST 
Other Locations: Austin 
MOS Codes: 2611,8058,8060,8848,16KX,1D7X1,32EX,3D0X4,611X,612X,63A,63AX,641X,712X,8K000,BU,CE,EA,SEI16 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

The Project Manager reports to the Director of the Project Advisory and Coordination Team (PACT) within the Strategic Business Office (SBO) under the Chief Medicaid and CHIP Services Officer. The individual in this position performs project management activities, including but not limited to the implementation of highly complex, highly visible federal, state, and leadership-directed initiatives related to the Medicaid and CHIP programs.

Work involves coordinating the initiation and planning of projects; overseeing the execution of the work to complete project objectives; monitoring the progress and schedule of projects; conducting risk and issue management, and communicating with stakeholders, management, and other relevant parties. The position assumes a strong leadership role on the collaboration and coordination required to successfully implement initiatives to improve quality, efficiency and cost effectiveness of Medicaid and CHIP programs. The Project Manager is responsible for engaging key stakeholders, managing expectations, and maintaining positive relationships with other partnering departments within MCS or other areas of the agency. Works under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

(30%) Initiates, manages, implements, and oversees projects using accepted project management methodologies and tools such as Smartsheet. Initiates projects, demonstrates business need and project feasibility, and obtains authorization to proceed with project objectives. Secures resources and commitment from internal project team members across departments and leads/directs project team members to achieve project objectives. Develops project charter, communication plans, work break down structures, detailed work plans, resource plans (roles and responsibilities), gap analysis (current and future state) and cost estimates and projections. Uses Smartsheet to monitor and control projects. Ensures timely development of scope/schedules, including the identification of dependencies, assumptions, and constraints. Develops stakeholder engagement and change managements plans associated with external stakeholders including state agencies, providers, managed care organizations, vendors, contractors, advisory committees or councils, elected officials, and legislative staff. Actively monitors projects to ensure on time completion, within scope, and within budget. Responsible for leading project team members to achieve project objectives. Oversees changes and establishes workflows needed to drive policy, contractual obligations, and other changes required to implement new or revised programs.

(20%) Communicates and reports on scope, objectives, major decisions, milestones, risks/issues, stakeholder engagement efforts, and overall updates to governance groups, leadership, project team members, and interested groups. Prepares high quality written project reports, updates, and summaries, and other documents. Compiles and distributes project information, project status and progress reports to various audiences. Plans and leads effective meetings, prioritizes work and decisions. Maintains project documentation.

(20%) Collaborates, coordinates, and facilitates the identification of project risks and issues with project team members. Develops detailed mitigation and response plans to address risks and issues. Obtains leadership approval for response plans for major risks and issues. Oversees execution of response plans, and tracks and monitors risks and issues.

(15%) Develops project team members on project management best practices to improve competencies to enhance overall team interaction, team environment and project performance. Conducts trainings on project management best practices. Motivate team members for high performance and reliability and maintains positive morale. Contribute to updating standardized project management templates, processes, and procedures, and job aids.

(10%) Serves as the disaster response project manager or project coordinator in the event of a public health emergency or emergency declaration. Conducts disaster response training. Facilitates, leads, and manages governance meetings with MCS leadership teams. Processes and tracks waivers and flexibilities for Medicaid and CHIP services. Maintains disaster response documentation.

(5%) Performs other work as assigned. Participates in department activities related to legislative sessions, research, public hearings, committees, and executive initiatives. Contributes to MCS and PACT initiatives to support organizational project management maturity and continuous improvement.
 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• project management processes
• federal and state Medicaid and CHIP laws, regulations as well as federal laws and legislation

Skill in:

• facilitating and coordinating effective meetings and leading teams
• leadership to lead large teams to meet project objectives. Includes having negotiation, coordination, collaboration, and facilitation skills
• organization, employing systems to conduct work effectively and efficiently
• synthesizing, analyzing, and evaluating highly complicated and technical information and translating it into easily understandable and concise documents and oral presentations for agency executives, elected officials, and the public
• interpersonal relationships and emotional intelligence, including the ability to work with people under pressure, negotiate among multiple parties, resolve conflicts, and establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Microsoft Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, and Visio.

Ability to:

• communicate effectively, in written and oral communication
• apply independent judgment in making critical decisions
• identify project risks and gaps and to develop creative and workable solutions to address complex problems and policy issues
• think creatively and support creative thinking in staff, while effectively managing and motivating staff to achieve optimal performance
• plan, assign and/or delegate work to project team members
• lead and motivate a team to achieve agency and project goals

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, preferred.

Initial selection

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college. Experience managing complex projects may substitute for college degree on a year-for-year basis.
• Minimum of three years’ experience as a project manager or project coordination; or at least three years’ experience leading, participating in, or supporting multi-year projects.
• Experience managing projects related to the healthcare payor industry, Medicaid, CHIP, or Medicare preferred.
• Experience using Smartsheet, preferred.

Additional Information:

N/A

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Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework.  Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.