The Office of Data and Innovation (ODI) is seeking an experienced Portfolio Manager (ITM II). This role involves comprehensive management of department-wide projects and portfolios, including providing strategic direction, ensuring timely completion, and managing resources effectively. A core responsibility will be serving as the dedicated project manager for multiple external, high-profile programs, operating under the guidance of the Deputy Director of Government Affairs and Innovation Training. Additionally, the Portfolio Manager will support the Deputy Director of Government Affairs and Innovation Training in the strategic development and project management of new, external initiatives. The successful candidate’s expertise in Project Management (PM) methodologies will be essential in advancing ODI’s overall mission.
Location: The employee’s workstation is located in Sacramento, CA. Travel may be required as needed to attend meetings, conferences, and/or training classes. This position provides telework opportunities in accordance with agency telework policies
Annual salary: $136,656– $166,104 based on experience and qualifications
Benefits: The state offers many benefits, including pension, health benefits (including after retirement), life insurance, employee assistance program, and much more.
Last day to apply: Final filing date is 4/30/2026
What you’ll do
- Create plans, processes, and schedules to follow industry-established PM standards.
- Identify risk and create risk mitigation plans. You’ll apply risk mitigation plans as risks turn into issues.
- Identify and analyze business problems and work with technical staff to develop solutions.
- Help stakeholders understand and apply IT policies and best practices. Ensure compliance with state mandates.
- Serve as the individual project manager for several high-profile, external programs.
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with:
- executive management
- project partners
- other state agencies
- vendors
- business stakeholders
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
We have a guide to the civil service application process. It covers:
- How to apply
- Civil service exams
- Interviews
Desirable qualifications
- Proven experience as a Project Manager or similar leadership role on medium to large-scale projects
- Expert knowledge of project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall, Scrum, Lean)
- Experience with Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) and California Project Management Framework (CA-PMF)
- Experience working through the California Department of Technology Project Approval Lifecycle (PAL) and within the constraints of the State of California Budget Approval cycle
- Possession of a PMP Certification or other formal project management certification(s)
- Demonstrated success in managing enterprise-wide modernization projects (3+ years), including:
- Concurrent management of multiple projects
- Reporting to oversight agencies
- Developing new, multi-partner programs
- Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to build strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, both within and across organizations
- Experience facilitating collaboration and problem-solving across diverse stakeholder groups with potentially conflicting priorities
- Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to present ideas effectively in both business and user-friendly language, including translating technical concepts into plain language
- Experience writing for and presenting to executives
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and prioritization skills, with a focus on delivering results in high-pressure environments
- Highly self-motivated and directed, with the ability to drive projects and resolve issues independently and manage tasks to completion
- Demonstrated commitment to customer service
- Ability to conduct research into project and portfolio management issues and products as required
- Team-oriented and skilled in working within a collaborative environment
About ODI
We deliver better services to Californians through technology and design. We do so through close partnership with other state departments. Our goal is to create programs and products that are more equitable and effective. We listen to Californians who use a program now or may do so tomorrow and learn about what they need.
We:
- Build tools and products
- Create and enhance digital services
- Conduct research
- Identify data solutions
- Offer training
We are a cross-discipline staff with blended backgrounds in:
- Design
- Engineering
- Product
- Operations
- Data
- Research
- Policy
- Strategy
Learn more about ODI’s vision and mission.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion at ODI
Diversity, equity, and inclusion help us deliver better government services to Californians.
- Fostering diversity inspires better ideas and more innovative thinking.
- Feeling included nurtures a shared sense of community. This drives us to take collective action on challenging problems.
- Prioritizing equity ensures we build solutions for people whose needs are often overlooked.
We acknowledge our history and present of implicit and structural injustice, bias, and discrimination. We see, hear, and accept each other and the lived experiences we bring to our work. We support each other in learning and developing so we can help all Californians thrive.
We understand this work is never done. That’s why we commit to constant improvement.