Kansas Judicial Branch

Director of Project Management - Office of Judicial Administration

Topeka,, KS - Full Time

Position number:                     K0163469
Location of Employment:      Kansas Judicial Center, Topeka, KS 66612
Position Title and Salary:      Director of Project Management, grade 59, $102,608.69 annually

Kansas Judicial Branch Benefits State Employment Center - Benefits (ks.gov)                               

This is a leadership position involving technical and administrative work coordinating and implementing a project management office for the Kansas Judicial Branch. In this capacity, the Director is responsible for the supervision and performance evaluation of staff, and for the coordination of subordinate activities with other managers in the department.

Job Duties:
(List may not include all position responsibilities or duties, nor does the list include all responsibilities or duties which may be assigned.)
  • Develop a comprehensive project management strategy to successfully complete projects across the various departments within OJA and across the judicial branch.
  • Align project management initiatives with the Supreme Court’s strategic goals, emphasizing technology-driven improvements in conducting the judicial function and that impact judicial services.
  • Create and adopt project management methodologies to serve the unique needs of a judicial environment.
  • Oversee a diverse portfolio of cross-functional IT and non-IT projects while ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, budgets, and timelines.
  • Establish and maintain a framework for project intake, prioritization, risk management, and resource allocation.
  • Collect, monitor and report on the status, progress, and outcomes of major projects, part of which includes projects reported to the Kansas Information Technology Office (KITO), and provide transparency to external partners and court leadership.
  • Collaborate with IT leadership to identify and implement innovative technologies that enhance court operations and efficiency, like case management systems, digital evidence platforms, and virtual court services.
  • Lead initiatives to integrate emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and cloud solutions, into court processes.
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within project teams, using technology to drive efficiency and access.
  • Engage with judges, judicial branch employees, and external partners to understand needs and build consensus on project priorities.
  • Serve as a liaison between technical teams, departments within OJA, court leadership, and external partners, translating complex technical concepts into actionable insights and recommendations.
  • Establish and enforce project governance standards, policies, and procedures that ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and ethical requirements specific to the judiciary.
  • Ensure that IT projects adhere to information security, data privacy, and accessibility standards relevant to court operations.
  • Build and lead a high-performing PMO team, including recruitment, hiring, mentorship, training, and professional development opportunities.
  • Promote a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative work environment that values diversity and continuous learning.
  • Provide regular reports to OJA executive team members and court leadership, highlighting project achievements, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
  • Oversee project budgets, ensuring efficient use of resources and cost-effective delivery of projects.
  • Identify and work with OJA finance to secure funding for strategic IT initiatives through grants, partnerships, or other sources.
  • Foster partnerships with vendors, government agencies, and technology providers to support innovative solutions for court services.
  • Represent the court system in regional and national forums related to project management and judicial innovation.
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks, ensuring timely resolution of issues that may impact project success.
  • Develop contingency plans to address potential disruptions and ensure continuity of critical court functions.
Required Education and Experience:

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Information Technology Management, or a related field.  (Education requirement can be substituted with equivalent work experience).

Required Experience:
  • Familiarity planning and managing budgets.
  • Experience managing relationships with vendors including reviewing contracts and monitoring service level agreements.
  • Ability to travel in and out of state with some overnight trips.
  • Experience in creating and maintaining project plans such as MS Project, Atlassian Jira, ServiceNow
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Five years’ experience in a position, or related role, similar to the Director of Project Management Office, including progressively larger leadership responsibilities.
  • Experience of demonstrated competency in a business analyst, junior or assistant project management role involving the execution of multiple projects or a large project.
  • State of Kansas Project Management Certification
  • Project manager training and certification such as Project Management Institute (PMI)
  • Project Management Methodology Certification or a traditional IT Project Management certification
For candidates that do not possess the State of Kansas Project Management Certification, the successful candidate must obtain such certification within one year of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Experience in strategic planning and developing strategies that align with organizational goals.
  • Experience evaluating and reducing risks.
  • Proven ability in planning long-term roadmaps, identifying future needs, and ensuring full life cycle project planning.
  • Proven success as a strategic thinker with expertise in IT project management, innovation leadership, and a deep understanding of the judicial environment’s unique challenges.
  • Demonstrated skills in managing risks throughout a project life cycle with timely communications and resolution options.
  • Demonstrated success in business analysis and translation so all partners can understand the path to address differing priorities effectively.
  • Demonstrated success in guiding multiple high-level projects through completion.
  • Demonstrated strong leadership skills to inspire, mentor, and develop a high-performing PMO team.
  • Proven communication skills in building consensus among various cohorts, including judges, court administrators, court staff, IT teams, and external justice partners.
  • Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and quickly adjust in a rapidly changing environment.
  • Ability to work well with teams or in a team environment.
  • Demonstrated strong organization and documentation skills.
  • Proven successful organization and documentation skills.
Applications will be accepted until: Open until filled

The Americans with Disabilities Act ensures your right to reasonable accommodations during the employment process.  A request for accommodation will not affect your opportunities for employment with the Judicial Branch.  If you wish to request an ADA accommodation, please contact [email protected] or by TDD through the Kansas Relay Center at 800-766-3777 or 711.

THE KANSAS JUDICIAL BRANCH IS AN EEO / AA EMPLOYER
 
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