Role: IT Strategy & PMO Consultant (AI-Enabled Transformation)
Location: Sacramento, CA, Hybrid (as required by project needs)
Duration: Contract (6+ Months)
Pay Rate: $70 to $75
Overview: We are seeking an experienced IT Strategy & PMO Consultant to both manage selected projects and lead the transformation of the Project Management Office into an AI-enabled, Shared Services model that can support project managers and business customers at scale. This role blends hands-on project delivery with strategic PMO modernization, integrating governance, data-driven decision-making, automation, and cross-functional alignment with Business Relationship Management (BRM) and Enterprise Architecture functions. The consultant will establish scalable processes, introduce AI-powered workflows, enhance portfolio prioritization, and ensure projects deliver measurable business value.
Key Responsibilities:
Project Management (20–50%):
- Lead end-to-end project delivery using PMP-aligned methodologies (initiation through closeout).
- Develop and maintain project artifacts including charters, schedules, risk registers, communication plans, and status reports.
- Facilitate phase-gate reviews, monitor scope/schedule/cost, and manage change requests.
- Coordinate with business sponsors, analysts, and stakeholders to ensure alignment and delivery success.
- Provide project reporting through enterprise tools and dashboards.
- Drive project closeout activities and document benefits realization.
PMO Transformation & Shared Services Enablement (50–80%):
- PMO Operating Model Modernization
- Redesign PMO structure, roles, RACI, and service catalog to support scalable shared services.
- Improve intake, triage, prioritization, and governance workflows.
- Optimize delivery frameworks, stage gates, and portfolio value management processes.
- BRM Integration
- Align PMO and BRM functions through shared planning cadences, KPIs, and intake governance.
- Develop playbooks to transition initiatives from ideation to execution.
- Enterprise Architecture Alignment
- Partner with EA leadership to embed architecture checkpoints into intake and delivery lifecycle.
- Establish governance processes linking capability planning to portfolio prioritization.
- Data, AI, and Financial Governance
- Deploy PMO data models, dashboards, and reporting frameworks.
- Enhance CapEx/OpEx tracking, forecasting, and financial transparency.
- Implement AI-enabled tools (e.g., workflow automation, collaboration copilots) to improve PMO efficiency.
- Introduce scenario modeling and analytics for portfolio decision-making.
- Change Management & Adoption
- Lead organizational change initiatives, communications, and training programs.
- Enable PMs and stakeholders to adopt new tools, processes, and governance models.
Key Deliverables:
- PMO transformation roadmap, operating model, and governance framework.
- Standardized intake, prioritization, and portfolio management processes.
- AI-enabled workflows, dashboards, and performance analytics.
- Financial tracking and benefits realization models.
- Project delivery artifacts including plans, schedules, and closeout documentation.
- Sustainability and handover plans to transition operations into steady state.
Required Qualifications:
Experience:
- 10+ years of IT project management experience, including managing multiple enterprise initiatives.
- 7+ years in IT strategy, PMO leadership, or transformation roles.
- Demonstrated experience redesigning or scaling PMO functions.
- Experience implementing AI, analytics, or automation within governance or delivery environments.
- Strong background in financial governance, forecasting, and portfolio value tracking.
- Expertise in organizational design, RACI development, and operating model creation.
- Proven ability to engage executive stakeholders and drive cross-functional alignment.
Tools & Technologies:
- Experience with enterprise project and reporting tools such as ServiceNow, Jira, Clarity, and Power BI (or equivalent).
- Strong data interpretation and visualization capabilities (e.g., SQL, analytics/reporting platforms).
Preferred Qualifications:
- Certifications such as PMP, PMI-ACP, SAFe, TOGAF, BRMP, ITIL, COBIT, or Prosci.
- Agile Product Owner certification or similar.
- MBA or advanced degree in a related discipline.
Core Competencies:
- Executive-level communication and data-driven storytelling.
- Change management and organizational adoption leadership.
- Workshop facilitation and stakeholder engagement.
- Systems-thinking mindset focused on scalable, sustainable design.
