What are the responsibilities and job description for the IT Strategist position at Zenfreed, LLC?
The Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB) administers the IT Investment Fund (ITIF), a legislative appropriation that provides funding for critical IT modernization, cybersecurity, innovation, and infrastructure projects across State of Michigan agencies.
Given the scope, visibility, and complexity of these initiatives, DTMB requires strong portfolio oversight and independent assurance activities to ensure successful project delivery.
Within DTMB, the Enterprise Portfolio Management Office (EPMO) operates the State Unified Information
Technology Environment (SUITE), which provides standards, methodologies, and governance support across Project Management, Systems Engineering, and Investment Management practices.
As part of this structure, the Investment Management program within the SUITE team is specifically responsible for administering the ITIF portfolio, overseeing investment governance processes, portfolio-level reporting, and project performance monitoring.
This staff augmentation resource will be embedded within the SUITE Investment Management team and will play a critical role in:
- Providing Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) services for selected ITIF-funded projects.
- Assessing project health, risk management, deliverable quality, and compliance with applicable standards.
- Identifying risks and opportunities for escalation to the EPMO and DTMB executive leadership.
- Supporting proactive oversight and risk mitigation efforts at both the project and portfolio levels.
While the primary focus will be on ITIF-funded initiatives, the resource may also provide IV&V services to other high-visibility, politically sensitive, or complex non-ITIF projects within the DTMB portfolio as capacity and priorities dictate.
The role is designed to strengthen DTMB's ability to deliver transformational projects successfully while maintaining public trust, fiscal responsibility, and operational excellence.
Job Duties
Conduct IV&V activities across assigned DTMB projects, ensuring objective, independent assessment of project health, deliverables, and compliance with DTMB standards.
Review key project documentation, including charters, project management plans, schedules, risk registers, and contracts.
Evaluate deliverables for quality, completeness, and adherence to requirements.
Identify risks, issues, and deficiencies early, and recommend mitigation strategies.
Monitor project progress against scope, schedule, budget, and quality metrics.
Develop and deliver:
o IV&V Service Plans for assigned projects.
o Monthly Project Health Assessment Reports.
o Independent Deliverable Review Assessments.
o Risk and Issue Logs with mitigation recommendations.
o Executive Briefings for Steering Committees and leadership as needed.
o Final IV&V Summary Reports at project closeout.
Collaborate with project managers, agency stakeholders, and executive sponsors while maintaining independence of judgment.
Ensure all reports and documentation meet DTMB’s quality standards and templates.
Requirements
5 years:
- IT project management experience, preferably supporting large, complex technology initiatives.
- Providing Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) or equivalent quality assurance services.
Demonstrated experience supporting high-visibility, politically sensitive projects in a public sector or highly regulated environment.
Strong understanding of project management frameworks (e.g., PMI’s PMBOK), risk management practices, and quality assurance principles.
Excellent analytical, writing, and verbal communication skills.
Ability to prepare professional-grade reports and executive briefings.
Proven ability to assess project health objectively and recommend actionable solutions.
Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field
Desired Skills
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
- Additional certifications such as Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or Certified Quality Auditor (CQA)
Minimum Education
- Bachelor's Degree
Location
- Local candidates only.
- Position
is a hybrid schedule with in office 2 days a week upon start and there is NO REMOTE ONLY option.
-
Working hours
Monday-Friday, approximately 8:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m.
Additional
Requirements
- Must be authorized to
work in the United States; We are unable to offer
sponsorships at this time
- Must undergo a background check
and drug screening for employment.
Employment
Terms
- This is a W2 position
-
40 hrs per week
-
HYBRID schedule - in office 2 days a week upon start and there is NO REMOTE ONLY option.
About
Zenfreed
At
Zenfreed, we are more than an IT company. We bridge the
gap between people wanting to do the work they were meant to do
and organizations needing the right talent.
We are dedicated to building a diverse,
inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited
about this role but your past experience doesn’t align
perfectly with every qualification in the job description,
we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right
candidate for this or other roles.
Benefits
We understand a comprehensive benefits package is crucial to
employment satisfaction. We offer medical, dental and vision coverage
options for all employees.
