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:
 

Pay Range: $97,300.00 - $175,200.00

Job Description

Job Description Summary

The Manager of Project Management will develop and lead a team within the assigned WGU division/department to partner with stakeholders in developing, leading, and implementing strategic projects and initiatives that support WGU operational plans. The individual will ensure industry standards and processes are applied to and aligned with departmental goals and objectives. The manager will effectively influence change in a highly matrixed organization while ensuring timelines and objectives of college-level 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.
• Is accountable for compiling reports and presenting in weekly, monthly, and quarterly business reviews for team and associated groups. 
• Proficient in stakeholder management and capable of effectively teaching this skill to team and associated groups.
• 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 det