IT Program Manager

Job Title: IT Program Manager
Work Type: Hybrid
Location: Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Start Date: 07/27/2026
End Date: 06/30/2027
Industry Category: Information Technology / Government
Employment Type: 1099 Contract
Requisition ID: 806728

Overview

We are seeking a senior-level IT Program Manager to lead enterprise Project & Product Delivery initiatives supporting critical technology programs. This role is responsible for overseeing multiple strategic initiatives, guiding cross-functional delivery teams, and ensuring successful execution across Agile, SAFe, Scrum, Waterfall, and Kanban environments. The ideal candidate is a proven leader with extensive program management experience, exceptional stakeholder engagement skills, and deep knowledge of VDOT and VITA project governance standards.

Application

Applications will be reviewed as received.

Candidates must:

• Be local to the Mechanicsville, Virginia area.
• Be able to work onsite three days per week.
• Hold a current Project Management Professional (PMP) certification through PMI or a VITA Project Management certification. No other certifications will be accepted.
• Be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship, now or in the future.
• Physically reside within the United States for the duration of the assignment.
• Participate in an in-person interview.

Job Description

The VDOT Program Manager will provide strategic leadership for enterprise IT programs within the Project & Product Delivery portfolio. This position oversees program execution across multiple initiatives, partnering with executive leadership, business stakeholders, Release Train Engineers, Project Managers, Scrum Masters, vendors, and cross-functional teams to ensure consistent delivery of organizational objectives. The successful candidate will establish and maintain project management frameworks, monitor program performance, manage risks, guide organizational change, and ensure compliance with VDOT and VITA standards while driving successful delivery of complex technology initiatives.

Responsibilities

Program Leadership

• Lead and manage enterprise Project & Product Delivery programs and strategic initiatives.
• Provide direction and oversight to Release Train Engineers, Project Managers, Scrum Masters, and delivery teams.
• Establish strategic priorities and ensure alignment with organizational objectives.
• Assign resources to support initiative planning and execution.
• Define program control points and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Establish and maintain Agile, SAFe, Scrum, Kanban, and Waterfall project management frameworks and supporting practices.

Project & Portfolio Management

• Oversee multiple concurrent initiatives to ensure consistent and timely delivery.
• Monitor program schedules and identify deviations from critical path activities.
• Guide project managers in schedule management, budget oversight, and organizational change.
• Support project portfolio and lifecycle management activities.
• Ensure initiatives remain aligned with business priorities and strategic goals.

Risk, Governance & Compliance

• Identify, monitor, and escalate program risks and issues to ensure timely mitigation.
• Guide project teams in proactive risk identification and management.
• Ensure compliance with VDOT and VITA policies, standards, procedures, and governance requirements.
• Monitor program execution for adherence to established project management practices.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Partner with senior leadership, business stakeholders, vendors, and cross-functional teams to deliver successful outcomes.
• Facilitate collaboration across technical and business organizations.
• Present program status, strategic recommendations, and performance updates to executive leadership.
• Develop clear procedural documentation and support continuous process improvement initiatives.

Operational Excellence

• Serve as a subject matter expert on VDOT and VITA project management procedures.
• Utilize Microsoft Project Online (POL) and Microsoft Project Professional to manage program activities.
• Leverage Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Microsoft Planner, Azure DevOps, and Power BI to support planning, reporting, and collaboration.
• Develop new processes that incorporate industry best practices and stakeholder needs.
• Adapt quickly to changing priorities while providing effective leadership and guidance.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Current Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from PMI or VITA Project Management certification. No other certifications qualify.
• Minimum of 15 years of overall IT experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience managing large projects.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience using Waterfall, Scrum, Agile, SAFe, and Kanban methodologies.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience managing complex projects involving multiple workstreams and significant organizational change.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience leading and managing direct reports, including setting strategic direction for assigned teams.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience using Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, Visio, PowerPoint, and Project Server.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Project Professional.
• Strong functional knowledge of Microsoft Project, Project Server, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Planner, Azure DevOps, and Power BI.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple initiatives simultaneously while maintaining alignment with strategic goals.
• Experience with budgeting and financial management for technology programs.
• Strong knowledge of project management tools, governance processes, lifecycle management, and best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to assess project risks and implement effective mitigation strategies.
• Strong leadership, facilitation, collaboration, communication, presentation, and documentation skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of organizational change management and critical path management.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and lead newly developing initiatives.
• Ability to work onsite three days per week in Mechanicsville, Virginia.
• Local candidates only.
• Must physically reside within the United States for the duration of the assignment.
• Must participate in an in-person interview.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship, now or in the future.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience managing IT programs in a project delivery capacity.
• 10 years of experience leading and managing direct reports while setting strategic direction for assigned teams.
• Program Management certification or PMI PgMP certification.
• SAFe certification (SA, SSM, SASM, or RTE).
• 15 years of experience using Waterfall, Scrum, Agile, SAFe, and Kanban methodologies.
• 15 years of experience managing complex projects with multiple workstreams and significant organizational change.
• Demonstrated ability to lead successful delivery outcomes in highly matrixed organizations while effectively managing ambiguity.

Benefits

Compensation

This is a 1099 Contract opportunity.

Pay Rate:$77 – $97 per hour

Schedule

• Assignment Start Date: July 27, 2026
• Assignment End Date: June 30, 2027
• Assignment Duration: Approximately 11 months
• Hybrid work arrangement.
• Candidate must work onsite three days per week.

Work Location

• Mechanicsville, VA
• Hybrid position requiring onsite work three days per week.
• Local candidates only.