Job Summary
The Director of Project Management is a strategic and operational leader responsible for overseeing the Public Employees’ Retirement Association’s (PERA) Project Management Office (PMO) and leading a team of Project Managers. This role ensures the consistent and high-quality execution of projects that support business, technology, and operational goals. The PMO Director will drive project governance, standardize practices, mentor PMO professionals, and serve as a key partner in cross-functional delivery efforts. This leader works in close collaboration with members of the Executive Leadership Team as well as other Directors to align project delivery with enterprise-level goals and objectives.
Essential Functions
- Lead and Manage the PMO: Establish and evolve the project management function as shared service within PERA and a center of excellence. Oversee a portfolio of enterprise, technical, and operational projects.
- Team Leadership and Development: Recruit, coach, and develop a high-performing team of project managers, business analysts, and other professionals. Provide mentorship, training, and professional development to elevate project delivery capability across the organization.
- Governance and Standards: Define, refine, deploy and enforce project management methodologies, templates, and best practices across the organization, ensuring consistency, quality, and transparency in execution.
- Portfolio Oversight: Oversee the planning, tracking, and reporting of all projects under the PMO. Monitor project status, risks, issues, budgets, and dependencies.
- Resource and Capacity Management: Plan and manage allocation of project resources, including project managers and cross-functional team members. Work with project sponsors, and cross functional teams to oversee capacity planning and workforce utilization to avoid bottlenecks or overextension.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as a trusted delivery partner to leaders across business units and shared services, including Technology, Product, Operations, and Accounting. Collaborate closely with the Director of Product Management and Director of Strategy to align delivery cadence and sequencing with strategic roadmaps.
- Strategic Alignment: Translate organizational goals and strategy into executable projects. Partner with business, technology, and operational leaders to ensure that project portfolios support organizational priorities.
- Risk and Change Management: Develop frameworks for risk identification and mitigation, including those related to keeping projects within scope.
- Executive Reporting: Provide timely and accurate reporting on project health, KPIs, and portfolio performance to senior leadership. Recommend course corrections as needed.
- Process Improvement: Continuously evaluate project processes and outcomes. Lead efforts to improve delivery, cost effectiveness, and team management.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, external partners, and vendors to ensure successful project outcomes and clear communication.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Information Systems, or related field.
- 7+ years of experience in project and portfolio management, with at least 3 years in a formal people leadership role.
- Demonstrated experience managing enterprise-wide projects across technical and non-technical functions.
- Deep knowledge of and experience developing project management methodologies (waterfall, agile, hybrid), frameworks and policies
- Proficiency with project management tools (e.g. excel, MS Project, Jira, Smartsheet, etc.)
- Strong understanding of portfolio management, risk management and resource planning.
- Strong leadership, organizational and analytical skills
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities, and comfortable influencing at all levels of the organization, including C-Suite
- Strategic thinker with a problem-solving mindset
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree (MBA or equivalent) is a plus
- PMP, PgMP, or other PMI certification
- Experience in financial services, or pension systems is a plus
- Change management certification (e.g. Prosci) is desirable
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Standard office environment with frequent computer use
- Flexible work arrangements based on organizational policy
- Ability to travel occasionally
- All employees are expected to present themselves in a professional manner in alignment with the financial services industry
HYBRID WORK OPTION
- Opportunity to work from home up to two days per week. Eligibility dependent upon factors detailed in PERA's Work from Home Policy.
INTERESTED CANDIDATES
Complete the employment application online at https://www.copera.org/careers. Please have copies of your resume and cover letter available to upload. Please review the following questions. You will be asked for a response to these as part of your application:
- Describe your approach to establishing a PMO that supports both technical and non-technical projects. What key elements would you prioritize in the first 90 days?
- Tell us about a time you led a complex technology modernization initiative. What challenges did you face, and how did you ensure alignment with organizational goals?
- How would you structure project management support for a new strategic plan rollout across multiple departments with varying levels of project maturity?
Job Description Disclaimer
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of an employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned with or without notice.
Unfortunately, at this time, we cannot consider candidates that require sponsorship (now or in the future), or are located outside of the US.
All Colorado PERA employees are subject to PERA’s Ethics Policy and some employees are subject to the Personal Trading Policy. These policies include restrictions on outside business activities and employment and have certain requirements on personal trading. You may request copies of these policies from PERA’s talent acquisition team and any questions can be answered by PERA’s Investment Administration team.
About Colorado Pera
Looking for a career where you can make a difference? Colorado PERA offers benefit services to public employees across Colorado, including teachers, state troopers, snowplow drivers, correctional officers and many others who provide valuable services. As Colorado’s largest pension plan, we serve and educate over 700,000 members who are former and current public employees.
At PERA you will earn more than a paycheck. PERA is a culture where you can grow your potential and work in an inclusive environment, where diverse perspectives are valued. We hire exceptional employees and recognize that our people are our best asset. Not only do we make sound investments for our members, PERA invests in our employees’ growth through training and leadership opportunities.
To promote wellbeing, we offer hybrid or flexible working options for most roles and a total rewards and benefit program including health, dental and vision coverage - eligibility starts the first day of the month following the date of hire for most plans; generous paid time off and volunteer hours; pension and retirement plans, including PERA’s defined benefit plan, 457 defined contribution plan, and 401(k) employer match, as applicable; tuition assistance; free, convenient on-site parking or RTD subsidy; free on-site fitness center to stay active; employee assistance program; training, leadership and mentoring programs and more. PERA is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualifying employer.
To learn more about life at PERA, watch this video or visit
www.copera.org/careers.
Position Title: Director of Project Management
Division: Project Management
Reports to: Chief Administrative Officer
Job Status: Exempt
Salary: $175,000.00 to $215,000.00 Annual, Commensurate with experience
Posting Dates: 06/13/2025 to 06/29/2025
