Technical Project Manager III

About the role

If you're passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country-and you're committed to working hard to play your part in building that future-consider WGU as the next step in your career. Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families. The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is: Grade: Technical 408 Pay Range: $116,000.00 - $174,100.00 Job Description The Technical Project Manager III will stay informed on projects within assigned team and ensure best practices are used across the functional team, mentoring and developing project managers and associate project managers in their work. This individual manages projects from inception through completion within WGU's IT Project Management Team. The Technical Project Manager III monitors and reports project status-including risks, issues affecting project schedules, and milestone achievements-to stakeholders and leadership. The individual develops project plans and schedules and ensures projects meet departmental requirements, standards, policies, and deadlines. The Technical Project Manager III is expected to keep fully informed of departmental strategies and priorities and effectively influence the work of project team members in line with those priorities. Job Duties Ensures high quality project delivery, on time, on scope, and on budget. Manages all phases of assigned projects (i.e., initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, controlling, and closing). Works with Program Managers, Product Managers, Technical Leads, and key stakeholders to gain SME level understanding and knowledge of the domain where the program and projects reside to facilitate discussion concerning platforms, components, software applications, technologies, and security measures. Performs thorough research and analysis to ensure the most effective technologies and methods are employed. Clearly communicates constraints, conflicts, requirements, compatibility issues, and items which could affect project outcome, final performance level, or customer satisfaction. Offers appropriate alternatives and contingency plans. Identifies scope of project and develops documents outlining key project objectives, goals, plans, requirements, proposals, estimates, schedules, and budgets. Makes presentations, submits requests, and gains necessary approvals. Ensures estimates of time, cost, performance level, and materials are accurate and meet project requirements. Makes modifications to plans and schedules as necessary. Works with program management to assemble a project team, make work assignments, and effectively direct and coordinate activities. Provides necessary training on project objectives, processes, and details. Successfully monitors, documents, and presents project status concerning milestones and delivery deadlines. Communicates progress to appropriate stakeholders, program manager, and project sponsors. Effectively documents, manages, obtains approvals for, and communicates changes and decisions. Maintains accurate and complete records during the development process. Ensures related oral and electronic communications regarding project requirements, design changes, problems, solutions, etc. are securely maintained and readily available for review. Sets up and coordinates effective post-sprint and user testing to effectively evaluate and document delivery and system performance, fulfillment of project requirements, and elimination of bugs. Ensures test plans are well-documented, relevant to application, and in compliance with policies and procedures. Analyzes test results, identifies problems and conflicts, and provides solutions. Ensures problems are resolved quickly and effectively. Repeats testing as needed. Coordinates and manages creation of related documentation. Ensures accurate technical information is gathered and disseminated to technical writers. Ensures final documents are thoroughly reviewed, accurate, complete, and user friendly. Monitors contracts and manages project budgets. Approves pay requests a