The Project Manager will serve as the overall lead for a statewide notary modernization initiative. This role works closely with the client, project oversight organizations, independent verification and validation (IV&V) partners, subcontractors, and other key stakeholders to ensure successful project delivery in accordance with the approved Project Management Plan, Integrated Master Schedule, and contractual requirements. The Project Manager is responsible for managing the project team, ensuring alignment with the client’s project management processes, and delivering all work in accordance with established standards, schedules, and objectives.

This is a phased engagement that supports both the procurement and implementation phases of the project. Prior to contract award, the Project Manager will participate on an as-needed basis as an implementation consultant, supporting proposal development, solution planning, customer meetings, oral presentations, project planning, and transition activities. Contingent upon contract award, the position transitions to a full-time Project Manager responsible for leading the implementation through project completion.

This position aligns with Cayuse’s core values of Innovation, Excellence, Collaboration, Adaptability, and Integrity by fostering technical solutions that meet customer needs, promoting teamwork, and prioritizing quality in deliverables.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Award

• Serve as a subject matter expert on Secretary of State operations, advising proposal, capture, and solution development activities.
• Support proposal development by contributing to the implementation approach, project management methodology, staffing model, work plan, project schedule, and transition strategy.
• Participate in customer meetings, solution workshops, oral presentations, and other procurement activities as requested.
• Collaborate with technical, functional, and proposal teams to identify implementation risks, validate assumptions, and develop practical delivery strategies that position Cayuse for a successful award.

Post-Award Implementation

• Oversee Contract Execution: Direct contract performance and ensure compliance with all contractual requirements and State standards.
• Manage Project Delivery: Plan and control scope, schedule, budget, and deliverables, ensuring alignment with approved baselines and taking corrective action as needed.
• Lead Team and Resources: Manage and direct project staff, vendors, and subcontractors, ensuring adequate resourcing and accountability for performance.
• Maintain Project Governance: Lead governance activities, including daily, weekly, and monthly forums, and support Executive Steering Committee (ESC) engagement and decision-making.
• Report Status and Track Performance: Maintain the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), monitor performance against baselines, and deliver status reporting in accordance with State and Cal‑SIMM requirements.
• Manage Risks and Issues: Identify, track, escalate, and resolve risks and issues in accordance with State standards, ensuring mitigation strategies are implemented.
• Engage Stakeholders: Coordinate with project leadership, CDT, and stakeholders to ensure alignment, transparency, and sustained commitment.
• Ensure Compliance and Quality: Apply CA‑PMF and Cal‑SIMM methodologies, ensuring adherence to the Project Management Plan, Stage Gate requirements, and overall quality standards.

Minimum Qualifications – Here’s What You Need

• Minimum seven (7) years of experience as a Project Manager leading Software Solution implementation projects, including at least two (2) years supporting a government agency.
  • At least five million dollars ($5M) in Information Technology software contract cost in development and implementation, excluding maintenance and operations
  • At least twenty (20) internal end users
  • At least one hundred thousand (100,000) external user logins to a public-facing website.
  • Solution managed highly confidential data and Personal Identifying Information
  • Solution provided a secure data exchange interface with external system(s)
• At least five (5) years of IT software development project management experience applying established PM principles, methods, techniques, and tools.
• At least three (3) years of experience managing Software Solution implementation projects using agile or hybrid agile methodologies.
• At least two (2) years of experience using a scheduling tool (e.g., Microsoft Project) to plan, develop, maintain, and report on highly complex integrated master schedules and workplans.
• Experience managing Software Solution implementation projects for a Secretary of State office.
• Experience with proposal development, solutioning, implementation planning, and oral presentations for competitive government procurements.
• End-to-end experience managing projects as they move through the California Project Approval Lifecycle (PAL).
• Proven ability to manage integrated master schedules and work plans, including tracking milestones, dependencies, and performance metrics
• At least one currently active certification for SCRUM, Agile, and Project Management from a globally recognized organization, such as Scrum.org, Project Management Institute (PMI), or Axelos.
• Ability to pass required background checks, including additional screenings as needed

Minimum Skills Required:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level reporting
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, including stakeholders, vendors, and subcontractors
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to manage multiple priorities with urgency
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• High degree of integrity, discretion, and professionalism, particularly when handling sensitive information