Deputy Director of PMO (IT Computer Systems Manager 5) - Provisional
GENERAL DUTIES
I.T. Computer Systems Managers manage and direct an Information Technology area at a College or University level. They set policies and procedures, direct technical staff, and maintain responsibility for administrative as well as technical issues within their assigned area(s) of responsibility. They may manage major and/or large, complex information systems activities and/or manage a unit or group.
This job is in CUNY's Classified Managerial Service. The full specification is available on our web site at http://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/ohrm/hros/classification/ccsjobs.html
CONTRACT TITLE
Computer Systems Manager
FLSA
Exempt
CAMPUS SPECIFIC INFORMATION
The Office of Computing and Information Services (CIS) at the City University of New York (CUNY) supports the IT and telecommunications needs of CUNY's 26 colleges. CIS supports enterprise IT and applications and identifies and develops new technologies that advance the University's core mission, operates and maintains the University's network, the enterprise Data Center, and the CUNY Service Desk, and manages the processes of safeguarding the University?s IT assets and maintaining the security posture by operating the CUNY Security Operations Center (SOC). Additionally, CIS develops disaster recovery plans for business continuity, supports the CUNYfirst Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution that integrates student administration, financial management, and human resources operations across CUNY?s 26 colleges. Lastly, CIS provides strategic and operational IT leadership to all CUNY campuses.
The Deputy Director of the Project Management Office (PMO) provides senior leadership over the execution and delivery of CIS?s enterprise technology project portfolio. Reporting to the Senior Director of the PMO, the position ensures strategic, high-impact initiatives, including system modernization efforts critical to the University, are delivered in a disciplined, predictable, and well-governed manner. The Deputy Director works closely with CIS leadership, campus partners, and vendors to coordinate complex, multi-year and multi-stakeholder projects. Responsibilities include overseeing project governance, execution planning, team integration, and corrective action to ensure alignment with institutional priorities, regulatory requirements, and fiscal constraints. When designated, the Deputy Director acts on behalf of the Senior Director to maintain continuity of PMO operations and leadership.
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
- Exercises delegated executive authority over PMO execution, ensuring alignment with CIS strategy, institutional priorities, and fiscal constraints.
- Leads and manages PMO staff and managers responsible for enterprise-scale technology initiatives, ensuring accountability for delivery, compliance, and performance.
- Establishes and enforces PMO execution standards, policies, and controls for planning, documentation, risk management, quality assurance, and delivery discipline.
- Serves as escalation authority for high-risk, high-impact projects affecting multiple campuses or university-wide systems.
- Directs execution-side portfolio management, including prioritization, sequencing, capacity planning, and dependency resolution across CIS.
- Reviews and approves execution plans, schedules, staffing models, and delivery approaches for major initiatives.
- Oversees portfolio-level risk, financial exposure, and delivery, providing executive analysis and recommendations to CIS leadership.
- Ensures successful project transition to operations, including service stabilization and complete documentation.
- Participates in PMO budget planning, forecasting, resource allocation, procurement, and vendor oversight to support sustainable delivery.
- Leads recruitment, onboarding, performance management, mentoring, and professional development of PMO staff to build leadership depth.
- Represents the PMO in executive forums and cross-university initiatives and acts on behalf of the Senior Director when designated to ensure continuity of operations.
NOTES:
- Until further notice, this position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.
- An appointment to this Competitive title/position in the Classified Civil Service Title Series will be made with a Provisional status. Employees in provisional status must pass a competitive civil service examination and be appointed from a civil service list to remain in the title/position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Six (6) years of progressively responsible full-time paid information systems technology experience,at least eighteen (18) months of which shall have been in an administrative or managerial capacity in the areas of computer applications programming, systems programming, information systems development, data telecommunications, data base administration or a closely related area.
Education at an accredited college or university may be substituted for the general information systems technology experience at the rate of one (1) year of college for six (6) months of experience up to a maximum of four (4) years of college for two (2) years of experience. In addition, a master?s degree in computer science or a closely related field from an accredited college or university may be substituted for an additional year of the general information systems technology experience. However, all candidates must possess the eighteen (18) months of administrative or managerial experience described above.
Experience in an administrative capacity must include, but is not limited to, responsibilities such as: monitoring an IT budget; reviewing and approving IT procurement and invoice payments; reviewing and approving contracts with vendors; monitoring and approving IT projects; setting standards and best practices; risk evaluation (e.g., security, reputational, operational); organizational development; chairing or participating in IT Governance and Advisory committees; and/or overseeing vendor relationship management.
Experience in a managerial capacity must include, but is not limited to, responsibilities such as: strategic planning for an office/division; creating and implementing policies; setting standards and best practices; defining and documenting project scope; root cause analysis with recommendations; collaborating with other managers and executives to define future state of IT program; and/or forecasting.
The following types of experience are not acceptable: superficial use of preprogrammed software without complex programming, design, implementation or management of the product; use of a word processing package; use of a hand-held calculator; data entry; operation of data processing hardware or consoles.
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
Preferred:
- 7+ years of progressive professional experience in technology project, program, or portfolio management, including 5+ years in a senior project leadership or PMO management role overseeing complex, enterprise-scale initiatives.
- Demonstrated expertise in enterprise delivery frameworks, including SDLC governance, with hands-on experience managing projects across Waterfall, Agile, and hybrid delivery models in regulated or large-scale environments.
- Proven portfolio and execution leadership, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives, balance competing priorities, and make informed delivery, resource, and risk decisions under tight timelines.
- Strong executive and stakeholder engagement skills, including experience partnering with senior leadership, technical teams, functional leaders, vendors, and external stakeholders to drive alignment, resolve issues, and deliver outcomes.
- Advanced analytical and problem-solving capability, with a track record of identifying risks, dependencies, constraints, and implementing effective mitigation strategies.
- Demonstrated people management and team leadership experience, including supervising managers or senior professionals, building high-performing teams, mentoring talent, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Exceptional communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to lead executive briefings, steering committees, and cross-functional working sessions, translating complex technical concepts for non-technical audiences.
- Extensive experience developing and governing PMO artifacts, including project charters, integrated schedules, delivery plans, financial forecasts, resource models, risk and issue logs, change control processes, and transition-to-operations plans.
- Vendor and contract management experience, including overseeing third-party delivery partners, managing performance, and supporting procurement and contract execution in coordination with legal and finance teams.
- Proficiency with enterprise project and portfolio management tools, such as Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, ServiceNow PPM, Jira, or equivalent platforms, as well as strong command of Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio) for executive reporting and analysis.
COMPENSATION
The salary range is $150,000 - $160,000 , commensurate with credentials, education, and experience.
BENEFITS
CUNY offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees and eligible dependents based on job title and classification. Employees are also offered pension and Tax-Deferred Savings Plans. Part-time employees must meet a weekly or semester work hour criteria to be eligible for health benefits. Health benefits are also extended to retirees who meet the eligibility criteria.
HOW TO APPLY
For full consideration, submit a cover letter and resume online via CUNY's web-based job system, addressing how your experience and credentials meet the responsibilities and qualifications outlined.
The direct link to the job opening from external sources is:
Current CUNY employees must apply through CUNYfirst Employee Self Service using their login credentials. After you login, click the Careers tile on the Employee Self Service Menu page to view job openings
CLOSING DATE
Open until filled.
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