Project Manager – Critical Operations IT System Modernization

Project Manager – Critical Operations IT System ModernizationWe are seeking an experienced Contractor Project Manager to lead a high-priority Operations IT initiative focused on developing a new system with the support of AI-assisted development practices to help accelerate, support, and improve aspects of the development process. The effort will support modernization of a current legacy system written in Ingres and OpenROAD and will require close coordination across multiple business, technology, operations, security, data, and vendor teams. This role is ideal for a delivery-focused project manager who can bring structure, urgency, and clear communication to a complex, highly visible project with operational impact.Key ResponsibilitiesLead end-to-end project planning, execution, tracking, and delivery for a critical Operations IT project focused on developing a new system to replace or modernize the legacy environment.Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, milestones, dependencies, risks, issues, and status reporting.Coordinate activities across multiple internal teams, including Operations, IT, application development, data, cybersecurity, infrastructure, change management, compliance, and business stakeholders.Facilitate working sessions, project meetings, decision reviews, and executive-level updates.Drive accountability across project contributors and ensure deliverables are completed on time and aligned with scope.Partner with technical leads and subject matter experts to translate business needs into actionable project tasks and delivery plans.Coordinate legacy system discovery and modernization planning related to the existing Ingres and OpenROAD environment, including dependencies, integration points, business rules, risks, and transition needs.Support planning for the responsible use of AI-assisted tools and practices during the development process, including coordination around standards, governance, testing, validation, documentation, and delivery controls.Identify project risks early, escalate blockers appropriately, and recommend practical mitigation strategies.Ensure smooth handoffs, documentation, implementation readiness, and post-deployment support planning.Required Qualifications10+ years of project management experience leading complex IT, operations technology, application delivery, or enterprise transformation projects.Demonstrated experience managing cross-functional teams and coordinating work across business and technical stakeholders.Strong understanding of project management practices, including scope management, schedule management, risk management, issue tracking, dependency management, and stakeholder communications.Experience delivering projects in fast-paced, mission-critical, or operationally sensitive environments.Ability to communicate clearly with technical teams, business leaders, executives, vendors, and end users.Strong meeting facilitation, documentation, follow-up, and decision-tracking skills.Comfort working on projects where AI-assisted tools, automation, analytics, data-driven practices, or emerging technologies may be used to support delivery.Proficiency with project management and collaboration tools such as Microsoft Project, Azure DevOps, Jira, Smartsheet, Planner, Teams, SharePoint, or similar platforms.Preferred ExperienceExperience with projects that use AI-assisted development, automation, analytics, data integration, or modern software delivery practices to support implementation.Experience managing legacy application modernization, replacement, migration, or re-platforming initiatives, especially involving older database or application development environments such as Ingres, OpenROAD, or similar technologies.Experience working in operations, utility, energy, critical infrastructure, regulated, or high-availability environments.PMP, PMI-ACP, Scrum Master, SAFe, or similar project/program management certification.Experience managing vendor resources, system integrators, consultants, or third-party technology partners.Familiarity with change management, training coordination, user adoption, operational readiness, and production support transition planning.