Senior IT Project Manager

Company Description

VVL Systems and Consulting (VVL), a small minority owned business, is committed to delivering “Optimized Computing,” computing through infusion of leading-edge technologies.  We focus on Cloud Services, Infrastructure and End User optimization, combined with VVL’s subject matter expertise around processes and methodologies to drive client’s successes.

Job Description

Position Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Senior IT Project Manager to lead and manage complex IT projects within the USDA, with a primary focus on network infrastructure, voice, and data services. The candidate will ensure projects align with organizational goals, adhere to USDA and ENS requirements, and deliver expected outcomes. This role demands strong leadership, project planning, scheduling, and execution skills, along with familiarity with federal processes and project management best practices.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan, schedule, and track projects across ENS branches, ensuring project managers are assigned within 8 business hours and 90% of projects have a dedicated PM.
• Coordinate and consolidate requests for Decision Review Board (DRB) meetings in collaboration with the federal Portfolio Coordinator, ensuring requests are documented within 3 business days with no more than 1 error.
• Develop, submit, and execute project plans appropriate to the size, scope, and complexity of assigned projects, using tools such as ServiceNow, MS Project, and SharePoint. Ensure plans are free from critical errors and delivered within outlined milestones.
• Enhance ENS project management toolsets, methodologies, and practices, ensuring documentation and processes are written in plain language and free from critical errors.
• Submit and manage change requests through the ENS Change Review Board in alignment with ENS change management policies, ensuring zero critical errors in submissions.
• Prepare and deliver weekly status reports, providing detailed insights into project schedules, forecasts, and critical items. Ensure reports are submitted by the 2nd business day of each week with no more than 3 errors.
• Schedule and facilitate meetings (including agendas, minutes, and presentations) with end users, key managers, and the DRB, coordinating through the federal Portfolio Coordinator. Ensure documents are presented in plain language and free from errors.
• Integrate project-level status reporting and enforce consistent performance reporting guidelines, identifying early signs of troubled projects and ensuring timely corrective actions.
• Identify and integrate project milestones into an overall project plan, ensuring accurate tracking of schedule variances and timely corrective action recommendations.
• Deliver a risk register for ENS projects, identifying and managing risks, attending review meetings, and providing mitigation strategies. Ensure risk registers are delivered monthly by the last business day and are free from critical errors.
• Create and document branch decisions, process documentation, and related artifacts, including SOPs, briefings, and reports, engaging with branch chiefs, SMEs, and stakeholders. Ensure documentation is stored appropriately in ServiceNow or SharePoint and is free from critical errors.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field.
• Additional certifications such as PMP, ITIL, CompTIA Project+, or Agile.
• 10+ years of IT project management experience, with a minimum of 5 years managing federal contracts, particularly within the USDA or other federal agencies.
• Extensive experience managing network infrastructure, voice, network data and security projects, with a focus on project planning, scheduling, and execution.
• Strong understanding of USDA processes, compliance standards, and federal project management policies (FISMA, NIST, FAR).
• Proficiency with ServiceNow, MS Project, SharePoint, and other project management tools.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with a proven ability to manage cross-functional teams and vendors.
• Proven ability to develop project plans, manage change control processes, and deliver timely status reports in complex federal environments.
• Experience in both Waterfall and Agile project management.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with USDA IT modernization initiatives and network infrastruc