Senior Project Manager (Long-term Temporary)

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

The Senior Project Manager position will lead high priority projects for the Customer Experience and Administration & External Affairs teams. Work includes project implementation, managing project budget, resources, and schedule to ensure successful completion, adhering to scope, cost, and quality standards established during project planning. They will collaborate with executive leadership to manage project scope, requirements, goals, and deliverables. They will maintain consistent communication with sponsors and stakeholders throughout all project stages through regular written and verbal updates, keeping them informed of progress and next steps; present project updates to large groups, including senior management, as necessary. They will coordinate with project managers across divisions to assess the impact of project implementation on other initiatives and to leverage existing work.

This is a long-term temporary position (up to 2 years and is benefits eligible).

1. Lead project implementation, managing project budget, resources, and schedule to ensure successful completion, adhering to scope, cost, and quality standards established during project planning.

• Develop and maintain project schedule and key milestones
• Monitor progress across workstreams, and keep teams aligned to key milestones and outcomes
• Identify, track, and escalate risks, issues, and dependencies
• Facilitate clear paths forward when blockers or risks arise
• Coordinate resource needs, and identify gaps or constraints early
• Coordinate with external vendors and manage vendor contracts
• Ensure deliverables meet defined quality and acceptance expectations
• Track progress against scope, and raise risks to priorities or outcomes early

• Responsible for managing project governance structure.
• Set agendas, prepare materials, and capture notes and decisions for Guidance and Steering Committees.
• Ensure clear decision-making processes and escalation pathways
• Track and communicate key decisions and their impacts
• Ensure priorities and trade-offs remain aligned to project goals and intended outcomes

• Prepare and distribute consistent project updates on progress, risks, and next steps.
• Reinforce alignment on priorities, timelines, and expectations. Proactively surface changes or risks to avoid surprises
• Ensure stakeholders are informed and aligned
• Tailor communication based on audience (e.g., executive vs. delivery teams)

• Create and maintain clear, reusable templates and tools
• Provide practical guidance to support consistent planning and delivery
• Share lessons learned and encourage continuous improvement
• Support development of project management skills across teams

• Maintain a regular coordination cadence with Information Services and Metro Transit project managers on fare system upgrade, enterprise asset management, employee performance management, and other active projects to ensure alignment.
• Identify and manage cross program dependencies and risks
• Align timelines and deliverables to reduce conflicts and duplication
• Maintain visibility into how work fits within broader initiatives
• Surface and address areas of misalignment early

Any of the following combinations of progressively responsible experience in project/contract management and completed education in Urban or Transportation planning, Business Administration or a related field:

• High school diploma/GED with eight (8) years of experience leading and managing projects
• Associate's degree with six (6) years of experience leading and managing projects
• Bachelor's degree or higher with four (4) years of experience leading and managing projects

What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):

• Proficiency in technology review and automation assessment.
• Expertise in systems integration and platform evaluation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Experience with public sector project management and governance
• Proven track record in project management and change management.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and/or comparable certification(s); completion of Project Management training(s)
• Experience using, and enthusiasm for, public transportation

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.

Union/Grade Non Represented/Grade K
FLSA: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No

Work Environment
Work is performed in a standard office setting. Some positions may require travel between primary work site to other sites.

What steps the recruitment process involves:
1. We review your minimum qualifications.
2. We rate your education and experience.
3. We conduct a structured panel interview.
4. We conduct a selection interview.

If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a background check, which verifies education and employment, covers driving record and any criminal record. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a background check which verifies education and employment if not verified previously. If the job you're applying for is safety-sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards, you must pass a pass a criminal background check. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.

The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply.

If you have a disability that requires an accommodation during the selection process, please email HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us.