Job Description (show details...)

Summary

The technical project manager manages and ensures the timely completion of discrete technical or operational projects; establishes technical requirements for the project; defines project deliverables, budgets, and schedules; and oversees the project team in the planning, tracking, and execution of the project from initiation to completion. Projects are a set of related activities needed to produce specific products or services to meet customers’ requirements. Projects develop work packages that define what will be accomplished to meet specific programmatic needs, and produce the work products defined by the work packages. Projects are finite, with a definite beginning, middle, and end. The customer may be an external body, such as a federal agency, or may be an internal organization within the Laboratory. Projects are typically a subset of, and funded by, a Laboratory program, but (rarely) may be stand-alone and separately funded.

NOTE:    This function is related to the professional management of discrete technical or operational projects. For professional activities related to the overall management of an assigned program portfolio, see:

                Program Manager

Job Duties

1. Safety and security are a primary responsibility for all Laboratory employees. Maintains required safety and security training, assures safety and security compliance, and makes safety and security an integral part of every task, including taking the necessary steps to stop work if continuing the job is unsafe or compromises security.
2. Serves as the primary interface between program and line management for large and/or highly complex project(s) to establish technical requirements and to negotiate and define deliverables, budgets, and schedules in accordance with the project charter and line expertise. 
3. For projects falling under the oversight of a Laboratory program, acts as a broker between program and line managers; for projects with stand-alone funding, may be delegated the authority to speak to external customers on behalf of the Laboratory and contractually obligate resources.
4. Provides leadership and tactical planning for execution of large and/or highly complex project(s) and applies broad technical or operational knowledge and expertise to achieve project objectives.
5. Manages all aspects of large and/or highly complex technical or operational project(s) and is responsible for successful completion of the project within the approved scope, schedule, and budget baseline.
6. Applies broad knowledge and expertise in developing project plans and detailed work breakdown structures, negotiating work packages, and assigning various aspects of work to complete project deliverables.
7. Uses independent judgment to negotiate with program and line managers to ensure that resources are available to accomplish the work, to identify procurement and contracting needs, and to marshal resources to complete project deliverables within the scope, schedules, and budgets defined in project work packages.
8. Oversees large, multidisciplinary project team(s) in the planning, tracking, and execution of project plans from initiation to completion. 
9. Uses independent judgment to monitor performance and manages, under change control, the project scope, schedule, budget, and technical baselines.
10. Integrates significant, unique, and/or complex project work with other Laboratory priorities and commitments, including safety, security, environmental compliance, quality, contractor assurance, and business imperatives.
11. Uses independent judgment to identify potential project risks, developing risk mitigation strategies and corrective actions, and recommending risk acceptance/avoidance for all aspects of the project.
12. Serves as the primary spokesperson to report project status and issues to the program manager and to Laboratory senior managers and workers.
13. Understands and adheres to all Laboratory and regulatory guidance and governance specific to the project work.

14. Fosters a mutually respectful work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.

Job Knowledge

·          Expert-level knowledge of and consultative experience in all aspects of project management of technical or operational work, including developing project plans, work breakdown structures, and work packages; managing to scope, schedule, budget, and technical baselines; and documenting baseline reports and change control actions.

·          Expert-level knowledge of the technical or operational discipline of the assigned project.

·          Expert-level knowledge of regulatory and Laboratory requirements related to the assigned project. 

·          Consultative experience in developing and nurturing effective high-level internal and/or external customer relationships.

·          Proven ability to successfully plan, organize, lead, and monitor a wide variety of team efforts to completion. 

·          Proven ability to interact effectively with all levels of personnel; building trust, gaining consensus, and resolving conflicts.

·          Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills.

Education

·          Position typically requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and at least 12 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.  An advanced degree and a Project Management Institute certification is desired for this function and level.

Direction

A. Supervision Received

·          Receives functional and operational direction from the project director, program manager, or responsible line manager.

·          Reports to the responsible program or project manager for execution of assigned responsibilities within defined cost, scope, and schedule.

·          Reports to the responsible line manager for regular performance reporting, including tracking of milestones, deliverables, and financial performance.

B. Supervision Exercised

·          Provides technical and operational direction to designated project personnel as assigned.

·          May coordinate the work of other project managers.

·          May supervise office staff in the absence of the Project Director. 

C. Contacts

·          Regular contact with high-level internal and/or external customers to negotiate and define goals, deliverables, and resources.

·          Regular contact with all levels of Laboratory management and staff to manage project scope, schedule, and budget.

This description is not intended to be a complete statement of every aspect of the position, but rather to act as a guide to the essential functions to be performed. Assigned functions of this job may vary, and other duties and responsibilities may be assigned or changed at the discretion of management.