Data Center Migration Project Manager (Contractor)

RESPEC is seeking an experienced Data Center Migration Project Manager to support a State of South Dakota Bureau of Information and Technology (BIT) this role you will help deliver a high-visibility infrastructure resiliency program that strengthens the reliability security and continuity of technology services used by public agencies across South Dakota.

This is an opportunity to lead a critical multi-year effort to move essential technology systems from aging flood-prone facilities into a resilient new hosting location. As the Project Manager you will connect technical teams BIT leadership division project managers application support teams and external vendors to keep the migration coordinated secure well-documented and on track.

You will oversee the complete migration lifecycle including facility readiness infrastructure relocation network and carrier integration structured testing risk management stakeholder communications vendor coordination and transition planning for state staff.

Core Responsibilities

Lead the physical migration of compute storage and network infrastructure as part of a multi-year data center relocation initiative. Develop and maintain the overall project schedule work breakdown structure and controls for scope budget timelines risks issues dependencies and change management.

Partner closely with BIT leadership project managers application support teams infrastructure teams and vendors to coordinate migration activities and resolve competing requirements. Ensure the new facility is operationally ready including power cooling fire suppression and physical access controls.

Coordinate resilient network connectivity and telecommunications carrier integration at the new hosting location. Govern structured infrastructure and application testing to support a seamless transition. Manage vendor deliverables and performance while ensuring alignment with State security policies and compliance standards.

Maintain clear consistent communications for technical stakeholders and executive leadership. Lead project management best practices maintain complete project documentation and support knowledge transfer and transition activities for State staff at project completion.

Qualifications :

Required Technical Experience

• 57 years of IT Project Management experience:
• Candidates must have at least 57 years of IT project management experience including the ability to manage schedules work breakdown structures scope budgets timelines project documentation communications risks issues dependencies and change activities.
• Data Center Migration Leadership experience
• Candidates must have direct experience leading data center migration projects. This includes coordinating the physical relocation of compute storage and network infrastructure and managing the interdependencies between facility infrastructure network carrier vendor and application teams.
• Infrastructure and Facility Readiness experience
• Candidates must have experience overseeing data center or facility readiness activities involving power cooling fire suppression physical security and access controls. Experience coordinating network and telecommunications carrier cutover and integration is required.
• Testing Vendor and Compliance experience
• Candidates must have experience managing structured infrastructure and application integration testing overseeing vendor deliverables and ensuring compliance with State security policies and standards. Formal experience with risk issue and change management methodologies is required.

Tools and Communication skills

• Candidates must be experienced with Microsoft Project SharePoint and analysis tools. Strong leadership organization and communication skills are required including the ability to work effectively with technical teams business stakeholders external vendors and executive-level leadership.

Education
A bachelors degree or equivalent experience is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP certification is preferred. Ideal candidates will have successfully led at least one large-scale data center migration from initial planning through execution.
• Experience collaborating across infrastructure teams application managers external vendors and executive stakeholders is highly valued. Candidates with deep familiarity with data center operationsincluding power cooling network connectivity and carrier integrationwill be particularly well suited for this role. The strongest candidates will be comfortable translating strategic goals into actionable migration plans and guiding stakeholders through significant technical and operational change.

Additional Information :

Work Model

Location: Pierre South Dakota or remote.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Remote Work :

Yes

Employment Type :

Contract