Consultant - Systems Admin - MS - MDES

Security Comments :

Position Description :

Hybrid -Minimum 2 weeks per month onsite required.

Position Description / Responsibilities 1. Strong Governance and Accountability

Confirm IT practices align with internal policies, governance, and regulatory expectations

Provide objective, third-party validation for senior managers, executives, and board members

Reduce conflicts of interest by producing fact-based assessments and win / win outcomes where possible

2. Legal and Regulatory Risk Reduction

Identify gaps in compliance with laws and regulations (data protection, cybersecurity, state and federal rules)

Help prevent fines, sanctions, litigation, and federal enforcement actions from the Department of Labor

Ensure IT controls support legal obligations such as data retention and breach notifications

3. Improve Policy Effectiveness

Evaluate whether IT policies are :

Legally sound

Up to date with current state and federal laws and standards

Properly implemented and enforced

Highlight inconsistencies between written policies and actual IT practices

4. Better Decision Making for Leadership

Provide clear, unbiased insight to support strategic decisions

Translate technical findings into legal and policy implications for executives

Prioritize remediation based on business, legal, and compliance risk

Identify opportunities for organizational improvement through IT best practices

5. Cost Savings, Avoidance, and Mid-to-Long-Term Efficiency

Prevent costly remediation after incidents or regulatory findings

Identify redundant, outdated, or non-compliant systems

Align IT investments with legal and policy priorities

6. Clear, Actionable Roadmap

Deliver prioritized recommendations covering :

Technical controls

Policy updates

Legal compliance

Coordinate IT, legal, compliance, and risk teams effectively

Required Skills & Experience 1. Technical and Domain Expertise

Deep knowledge of IT, Finance, and HR management

Ability to analyze complex problems and design practical solutions

Industry best practices and regulatory awareness

Knowledge of Mississippi public sector IT practices

2. Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills

Strong data analysis and critical thinking skills

Ability to diagnose business, application, and legal challenges

Experience developing actionable recommendations

3. Communication Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication

Ability to explain complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders

Strong presentation and reporting skills

4. Client and Stakeholder Management

Relationship-building and trust management

Ability to manage expectations and scope

Professional negotiation and conflict resolution

5. Project Management

Planning, execution, and delivery of consulting engagements

Time management across multiple stakeholders

Risk identification and mitigation

6. Business and Commercial Skills

Proposal writing and contract negotiation

Budgeting, pricing, financial analysis, and forecasting

7. Self-Management and Independence

Ability to work autonomously with minimal supervision

Strong organizational and decision-making skills

Accountability for deliverables and outcomes

Preferred / Not Required Qualifications

Bachelor's or Master's degree

10+ years working for large consulting companies

10+ years delivering consulting or advisory services

5+ years working for a Mississippi state agency

10+ years working in an oversight capacity

Experience working with the Department of Labor

Skill Matrix (Required Highlights)

Microsoft Operating Systems SME (Required)

Project Management SME (Required)

Agile Methodology Intermediate (Required)

DevOps Intermediate (Required)

Tailored SDLC Design & Development SME (Required)

QA Certification SME (Required)

Project Financials SME (Required)

Business Intelligence SME (Required)