Manager, Project Management

If you're passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country-and you're committed to working hard to play your part in building that future-consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Job Description

Job Profile Summary:

The Manager of Project Management will lead a team within the Program Development PMO to partner with stakeholders in developing, leading, and implementing strategic projects and initiatives that support WGU academic and operational objectives. This individual oversees a portfolio of projects and ensures project plans and schedules meet departmental requirements, standards, policies, and deadlines. This role requires a high degree of proactive leadership and partnership to manage and mitigate project risks and changes that can impact a project's schedule or budget. The manager is expected to keep fully informed of departmental strategies and priorities and effectively influence the work of project team members in line with those priorities. The manager will effectively influence change in a highly matrixed organization while ensuring timelines and objectives of school and organization strategies and initiatives are met in a timely manner.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Uses quantitative and qualitative data to identify trends in issues and create strategies and recommendations for improvement and resolution
• Actively generates process improvements, champions and drives change initiatives, confronts difficult circumstances in creative ways, and balances multiple and competing priorities and executes accordingly
• Develops and implements strategic initiatives to support projected Academic Programs and operations growth
• Researches business strategies and recommends best practices and changes in technology related to the performance of Academic Programs' and/or business initiatives
• Ensures overall quality, consistency, and functionality of all work by team members to ensure a high level of performance and engagement of all team members
• Provides measurable feedback to direct reports and suggestions for improved performance.
• Works with cross-functional teams to determine current and future direction and create collaboration
• Collaborates with other internal teams to understand individual and overall project needs, creating a cohesive course/program and enhancing the seamless student experience
• Oversees all aspects of project management associated with course and program development, including initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing
• Resolves issues or challenges associated with projects during any phase of the project life cycle
• Holds direct reports accountable to performance metrics
• Assists and communicates with College leadership in decision-making, project management, and initiative implementation.
• Provides regular project/change management updates, status, and targets to meet business deliverables.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:

• Ability to organize, coordinate, and direct team activities and results
• Ability to coach and develop direct reports
• Ability to work effectively in a highly matrixed organization
• Ability to build relationships and influence at all levels
• Ability to be an agent of change in a rapidly changing environment
• Proven ability to analyze data to identify trends and drive innovative process improvement
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, including the ability to effectively handle multiple tasks and pay attention to detail
• Sound judgement and decision-making skills

Competencies:

Organizational Impact:

• Manages a team that focuses on executing the operational plans for the job area with measurable contribution to the achievement of results of the department, function, or office.
• Develops, supports, and executes project/change management plans to accomplish the business outcomes and strategic goals of the college.
• Assigns and distributes work.
• Compiles data to prepare budgets.

Problem Solving and Decision Making:

• Responsible for making moderate improvements of processes or systems to enhance performance of the job area.
• Assignments received and problems faced are broad and undefined, and occasionally require use of analytical concepts, investigation, and knowledge from prior experience.

Communication and Influence:

• Communicates within job area and occasionally with cross funtional groups.
• Ensures compliance with University policies and procedures within job area and may influence others outside of job area to justify and gain cooperation for policies, practices, and procedures.

Leadership and Talent Management:

• Manages/Supervises a team of professionals. Manages the work of assigned employees and/or supervisors who generally exercise some latitude and independence in their assignments. Ensures proper training of team members, and participates in hiring, firing, and promotion decisions. Conducts performance reviews and may recommend salary reviews.
• May complete assignments that are technical in manner in addition to supervising others.

Job Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree (master's degree preferred)
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
• 5+ years managing projects
• 3+ years leading and managing people and teams
• Higher education program development experience preferred

Preferred Qualifications:

• Progressive project management & business transformation experience.
• Portfolio and/or Program Management qualification (PfMP or PgMP) or equivalent.
• Professional experience in strategic planning, risk management.
• Proficiency in project management software tools like ServiceNow, Smartsheet and Excel.
• Experience working in a highly matrixed environment.
• Experience working with executive leadership to translate strategic initiatives into actionable projects.
• Professional experience and skills in the change management process.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

#LI-JW1

#LI-D&I

#LI-InOffice

Position & Application Details

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It's not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. #DEI