Title: PPS (Project and Program Support) Manager #W3339, #W5239, #W2189

State Role Title: Info Technology Manager I

Hiring Range: $135,000 - $150,000 per year (salary commensurate with experience)

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Department of Social Services

Location: DSS HOME OFFICE

Agency Website: https://www.dss.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

At the Virginia Department of Social Services, we put people at the center of everything we do. We believe that every Virginian can live a life of dignity and that all voices, ideas and experiences contribute greatly to our pursuit of excellence. Inspired by continuous improvement, we commit ourselves to listening, learning and cultivating environments of trust, respect and positive engagement. Together, we are mission-driven, eager to achieve, and passionate about bringing the best of who we are to those we serve.

We design and deliver high-quality human services that help Virginians achieve safety, independence and overall well-being. We are a $2 billion agency – one of the largest in the Commonwealth of Virginia – partnering with 120 local departments of social services and 31 community action agencies, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children, adults, and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside 1,650 (state) and 12,200 (local) human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens have easy access to the services and benefits available to them.

Project and Program Support (PPS) Manager Reporting to the PPS Director, the PPS Manager provides analytical and coordination support for the agency’s Project and Program Support (PPS) team. The PPS Manager leads a team of project managers and business analysts, ensuring adherence to established policies, procedures, and project management frameworks (VITA). The position focuses on data integrity, resource planning, scheduling, and risk and issue tracking across all agency projects managed within PPS.

The PPS Manager ensures that project information is current, accurate, and aligned with VITA and PPS project management governance standards. This position contributes to improved visibility and decision-making by developing and maintaining dashboards, metrics, and reports used by PPS leadership, business partners, and agency leadership. The PPS Manager also serves as the Risk Manager for VITA-designated High-Risk projects, monitoring and reporting on compliance with Commonwealth risk management requirements.

The PPS Manager is responsible for:
• Maintaining and analyzing program data on schedules, resources, risks, and issues across all agency initiatives.
• Tracking program risks providing early-warning and insight for agency leadership.
• Coordinating resource planning and scheduling activities to maintain balanced workloads and program alignment.
• Producing dashboards and reports that provide clear, accurate visibility into program performance and risks.
• Collaborating with their team of project managers, business analysts, and program staff to ensure data accuracy, completeness, and consistency across agency reporting systems.
• Performing administrative and supervisory functions, including hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance management, evaluations, and time/leave approvals.
• Building and maintaining relationships across DSS through regular engagement with business partners and portfolio leadership.

PPS Manager plays a key role in advancing PPS’s data-driven culture by ensuring accurate reporting, early risk identification, and transparent communication of program-level performance across the agency.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience supporting project or program management functions such as scheduling, resource planning, or risk and issue tracking.
• Experience collecting, maintaining, and analyzing data for project or program reporting.
• Experience preparing or maintaining dashboards, reports, or other portfolio-level tracking tools for Commonwealth IT (VITA) Projects.
• Working knowledge of VITA’s project management principles, practices, and methodologies as defined by the Project Management Standard (ITRM Standard (CPM 112 - 04.8)).
• Experience coordinating across teams or departments to gather information, track progress, and ensure data accuracy.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, with exposure to project management or reporting tools such as Microsoft Project, Project Online, Sensei IQ, or Power BI.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey analytical findings clearly and concisely.
• Served as the named Project Manager for a VITA Commonwealth IT Project.

KSA’s and/or Competencies required to successfully perform the work:
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, interpret, and present data related to schedules, resources, and risks across multiple programs.
• Working knowledge of project and program management principles, including scheduling, resource allocation, and risk/issue tracking.
• Proficiency with project and portfolio management platforms (e.g., Microsoft Project, Project Online, Sensei IQ, Planview, Jira) and analytical tools such as Power BI or Excel.
• Ability to synthesize complex data into clear, concise reports and visualizations for technical and executive audiences.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to convey analytical findings and recommendations clearly.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving abilities to identify trends, evaluate risks, and recommend data-driven actions.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with project managers, business analysts, and other stakeholders to ensure data accuracy and reporting consistency.
• Working knowledge of IT project governance standards and reporting practices, including those defined by VITA and PMI frameworks.

Additional Considerations

• Knowledge of Human Services Programs, Regional Offices, and local Department of Social Services operations.
• Experience using or administering project and portfolio management platforms (e.g., Microsoft Project Online, Sensei IQ, Planview, Jira).
• Experience developing or maintaining program dashboards, scorecards, or portfolio-level performance reports using tools such as Power BI or Excel.
• Successfully managed or supported projects under VITA oversight.
• Knowledge of project management and business analysis frameworks such as PMBOK and BABOK.
• Professional certifications or training in data analytics, Power BI, or Lean process improvement (preferred).
• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Selected candidate(s) must successfully pass a fingerprint-based criminal history background check. A record of criminal history does not automatically bar an applicant from consideration. Employment verification will be conducted to include current/previous supervisory employment reference checks.

VDSS will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

To be considered for this position, you must submit a Commonwealth of Virginia application or resume through the on-line “Virginia Jobs” (PageUp) employment site no later than 11:55 p.m. on the closing date listed. Each application is reviewed for documentation that shows the applicant meets the minimum and additional considerations as stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided. Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment within 90 days of the closing date.

In addition to a rewarding work experience, VDSS offers excellent health and life insurance benefits, pre-tax spending accounts, state funded Short and Long Term Disability, paid holidays, vacation, tuition assistance, free wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching – Employee Benefits.

The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity within its workforce.

VDSS does not provide sponsorship.

This position may be eligible for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration will be in accordance with the Commonwealth’s Teleworking policy.

VDSS is an official certified state agency that values the service and experience of our Veterans. As such, Veterans are encouraged to apply and receive preference in the hiring process. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni also are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants, if requested, during the application and/or interview process.

If you have been affected by Policy 1.30 Layoff as a state employee and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Form) or a Preferential Hiring Card (Blue Card), you must submit this document through the “Virginia Jobs” (PageUp) employment site when you apply.

Contact Information

Name: VDSS – Division of Human Resources

Phone: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov

Email: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.