Lead IT Project Manager

Job Description and Duties

The salary ranges listed in this Job Control may not reflect reductions in pay in accordance with the 2025 Personal Leave Program. Please follow the link for more information regarding the 2025 Personal Leave program.

As a senior-level Lead IT Project Manager (PM) in the Technology Services Division (TSD) Project Management Office (PMO), you will serve as the accountable owner and primary decision-maker for complex, multi-stakeholder IT initiatives that directly support FTB’s mission and technology strategy. This role goes beyond coordination or facilitation, our Lead PMs are trusted to own outcomes, exercise sound judgment, and guide projects from concept through operational hand-off.

In this role, you will lead some of our most complex and high-visibility technology initiatives, partnering closely with business leaders, architects, technical experts, governance bodies, and executive sponsors. You will ensure projects are well-planned, well-executed, and fully aligned with statewide IT policies, departmental governance, and enterprise architectural standards. You will bring clarity in moments of uncertainty, make informed decisions that drive progress, and establish structure where it’s needed to keep teams focused and moving forward.

A key expectation of this senior-level position is maintaining awareness of FTB’s strategic direction, modernization efforts, and evolving delivery practices, including Agile, cloud-based platforms, and enterprise transformation initiatives. You will proactively assess how these changes impact project delivery and PMO operations, and you will play an active role in shaping or maturing PM practices to keep the organization aligned and future-ready.

The Lead IT Project Manager independently manages the full project lifecycle, from concept through delivery and operational handoff, and is responsible for defining project strategy, establishing scope, securing resources, and delivering outcomes that meet business objectives. This role exercises a high level of judgment and technical understanding to direct project teams, resolve cross-functional conflicts, and make decisions that directly impact cost, schedule, risk posture, and long-term maintainability of departmental systems.

In addition to leading major IT projects, you will play a significant role in developing and supporting project managers across the PMO. You will serve as a thought partner and mentor, helping others grow their confidence, refine their project management skills, and navigate the complexities of IT delivery. Whether you are guiding someone through a risk assessment, reviewing a project schedule, modeling strong communication, or helping a PM adapt to new delivery methods, you will contribute to strengthening the capability and consistency of the broader team.

You will also be expected to maintain a proactive, improvement-oriented mindset. Our Lead PMs actively look for opportunities to streamline processes, improve PMO maturity, optimize workflows, and modernize how we deliver projects. You will be encouraged to question the status quo, investigate root causes, promote innovative approaches, and recommend changes before issues arise.

This is a role for someone who thrives on leading with influence, guiding diverse teams, making confident decisions, and elevating project management practices across the department. If you excel at navigating complexity, building trust across disciplines, and driving meaningful outcomes, while also supporting others to do the same, you will have a significant impact here.

Additional positions may become available (RPA 2627-00049).

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Working Conditions

• Interviews will be conducted in person.
  
• This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without the need for a visa sponsorship, now or in the future.
  
• This position requires 4 or more days in the office per week. It is designated office-centered and may be eligible for some remote work based on departmental guidelines and operational need.

About the Technology Services Division (TSD) The mission of TSD is to securely deliver and support information technology solutions and services essential to the success of the FTB’s mission. By acting on our TSD mission, we will realize our vision of a collaborative and diverse team of IT experts who further innovation and empower our business partners to accomplish their goals. Read more about FTB .

Learn more about other FTB technical roles at this FTB microsite .

Need help understanding the hiring process or have questions about FTB? We'd love to talk to you! Before applying, read through these step by step instructions to apply, or contact us at [email protected] . Please include the job control (JC) number and the position title in the subject line.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.

This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce. E-Verify is a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. For more information about E-Verify, please go to .

CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 2, SECTION 172 : All candidates for, appointees to, and employees in the state civil service shall possess the general qualifications of integrity, honesty, sobriety, dependability, industry, thoroughness, accuracy, good judgment, initiative, resourcefulness, courtesy, ability to work cooperatively with others, willingness and ability to assume the responsibilities and to conform to the conditions of work characteristic of the employment, and a state of health, consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. Where the position requires the driving of an automobile, the employee must have a valid state driver's license, a good driving record and is expected to drive the car safely. The foregoing general qualifications shall be deemed to be a part of the personal characteristics of the minimum qualifications of each class specification and need not be specifically set forth therein.

**IMPORTANT NOTICE** As required by the department's rules of conduct, all employees of the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) must be in compliance with the California Revenue and Taxation Code. During the background investigation portion of the hiring process, FTB will review return information to verify California state income tax compliance. Any failure to comply with the California Revenue and Taxation Code may prevent you from being hired at FTB. You must verify your filing status by calling 1-800-852-5711 to resolve any potential tax compliance issues, prior to submitting your application and seeking employment with FTB. All applicants not currently employed with the Franchise Tax Board will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation. The investigation will consist of completion of a pre-employment questionnaire, fingerprinting, and an inquiry to the Department of Justice to disclose criminal records. We comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Persons with hearing or speech impairments, call TTY/TDD (800) 735-2929.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to clearly demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications and Alternate Range Placement for the position on your State Application (STD Form 678). The application should also clearly demonstrate the candidate’s ability to meet the Desirable Qualifications identified in this job advertisement. The Classification Specification is located on this Job Announcement Posting under "Minimum Requirements”.

We encourage applications regardless of whether you think you meet 100% of these skills below. Please highlight your knowledge, skills, and experience related to the below desirable qualifications in your application package.

• Demonstrated experience serving as the accountable owner for large scale, complex IT projects, providing strategic direction, making key decisions, resolving cross functional barriers, and ensuring successful outcomes across the full project lifecycle
• Strong understanding and practical application of project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid), with the ability to tailor approaches based on project and organizational needs
• Experience leading modernization, cloud based initiatives, or enterprise platform rollouts, ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture and long term system maintainability
• Experience preparing and leading governance deliverables (charters, risk registers, change requests, status reports) and ensuring compliance with statewide IT policies, SAM/SIMM, PAL, and departmental guidance
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize and convey complex technical or business information clearly to executives, technical staff, governance bodies, and non technical audiences
• Demonstrated senior level leadership, initiative, dependability, and accountability, with experience guiding large, multi disciplinary teams, obtaining stakeholder buy in, and driving aligned decision making across complex IT projects
• Demonstrated ability to proactively identify and lead improvements to project delivery processes, PMO practices, or team workflows — looking ahead to emerging needs rather than responding only after issues arise
• Strong analytical skills and demonstrated ability to use data to guide project decisions, assess risks, validate vendor deliverables, and determine corrective actions
• Experience coaching and mentoring project managers or project staff, strengthening PM competencies and contributing to PMO maturity
• Strong understanding and application of the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) to guide planning, design alignment, testing readiness, integration checkpoints, and operational transition
• Possession of a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or a Master’s Degree in Project Management

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the website and the website.

In addition, Franchise Tax Board offers the following:

• Convenient transportation and commuting options include : Light Rail stop, bicycle lockers, free parking, and carpool/vanpool opportunities

Additional Application Instructions

A complete application package must be received in the Classification & Hiring Unit or postmarked by the final filing date and must include:

• Completed employment information on the STD. 678, including the “From” and “To” dates, “Hours Per Week,” and “Duties Performed" fields for all jobs listed in the “Employment History” fields (resumes do not take the place of these fields on the STD. 678)
• All of the required documents listed in the “Required Application Package Documents” section
• The position number and job control number in the job title line of the STD. 678, if submitting a paper application package (these numbers will auto-populate in the job title line of the STD. 678 if submitting an electronic application through your CalCareer Account )
• A signature, if submitting a paper application package

Candidates who do not follow all of the listed application instructions may be eliminated from the selection process. All submitted information will be screened and the most qualified candidates will be invited to an interview.

Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended. If you are unable to apply electronically through your CalCareer account, please mail a completed and signed STD. 678 and application package to the mailing address provided above in the “Application Instructions” section.

Do not include full Social Security Number, method of eligibility, and LEAP information in your application package.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Other - A cover letter is required and must be included.
• Other - Required : If you are basing your eligibility on educational requirements, you MUST provide a legible copy of your transcripts as proof of meeting the education requirement as listed in the Classification Specification (please see the Class Specification located under “Minimum Requirements” on the left-hand side of this job posting). Applicants with foreign transcripts must provide a foreign transcript evaluation that indicates the number of units to which the foreign course work is equivalent. Transcripts may be official or unofficial; please redact birthdates and social security numbers. If you are not basing your eligibility on an educational requirement, you may instead use the bypass option (when applying, select Choose/Upload for the required document and then select Bypass File).
• Supplemental Application - In order to be considered for this position, interested candidates must submit a supplemental application. Your response must be no more than two type-written pages in length, using 12-point font, 1-inch standard margins and include your first and last name in the upper right-hand corner of the page. Respond to the following supplemental statement(s):
  Describe a time you led a complex or high-visibility IT effort where you not only relied on collaboration and influence to move the work forward, but also proactively identified a need, gap, or opportunity before it became a problem. What made this situation complex; what challenges or obstacles did you encounter and overcome; what prompted you to take action; how did you engage and align diverse stakeholders; and, what was the outcome of your initiative?