Senior Director - Project Management

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Providing essential services to field staff and volunteers. Offering this support frees field staff for direct ministry with kids, optimizes financial contributions, and ensures careful stewardship of the mission's assets (both tangible and intangible).

Young Life requires​ all employees to sign a Statement of Faith. We recommend you read this statement before applying​ for any position.

Essential Duties:  

1. Vision & Strategy

• Design and lead the development of a reimagined PMO that balances operational excellence with relational hospitality.
• Set and communicate the strategic direction of project management support across the organization.
• Align the PMO’s efforts with broader organizational priorities and initiatives.
• Serve as a collaborative member of the Strategic Support Office Lead Team, contributing to the collective advancement, growth, and health of the entire office.
• Special projects or initiatives, as assigned by the VP, Strategy.

2. Project Portfolio Oversight

• Own the organization-wide project portfolio management process, including intake, prioritization, capacity planning, resource allocation, and status reporting.
• Lead or contribute to governance processes that bring clarity, alignment, and transparency across teams.
• Ensure delivery of complex, cross-functional projects on time, on scope, and on mission, with a focus on measurable outcomes.

3. Team Leadership, Development, & Stewardship

• Manage and coach a growing team of project managers and business analysts, providing direction, support, and opportunities for development.
• Build a strong culture rooted in Young Life’s values—Hope & Hospitality, Excellence & Grace, and Relational & Intentional.
• Empower team members to work effectively in matrixed, faith-informed environments.

4. Process, Tools & Methodology

• Establish standard project management processes and tools that are scalable, adaptable, and grounded in best practices.
• Evaluate and enhance project management platforms, dashboards, and reporting tools.
• Support adoption of consistent practices across the PMO and other operational functions.

5. Stakeholder Engagement & Partner Experience

• Serve as a trusted partner to functional, project, product, and program leaders.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, enabling informed decision-making and strategic agility.
• Establish positive partnerships with internal customers/stakeholders and effectively manage these relationships to promote successful outcomes.
• Foster high-quality partner experiences by creating transparent, consistent, and relational engagement practices.
• Prioritize transparent communication and customer-centered practices.
• Model "Unreasonable Hospitality" in how the PMO engages with internal partners.

6. Center of Excellence & Community of Practice

• Establish a Project Management Center of Excellence that provides frameworks, tools, and training to support consistency and excellence.
• Build and facilitate a Community of Practice to empower and connect project managers across the organization.
• Evaluate and evolve methodologies (Agile, hybrid, traditional) that best suit the organization’s diverse environments.

Education:

• • Bachelor’s degree required.
• • PMP, PgMP, or comparable certifications strongly preferred.

Working Conditions:

• Flexible and/or Remote work environment
• Limited travel required

Experience and Qualifications Required for the Position:

• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in project management and strategic execution, with 5+ years of team leadership.
• Minimum 5+ years of ministry or non-profit programmatic experience/exposure.
• Experience building or leading PMOs or Centers of Excellence.
• Proficiency in portfolio management, change adoption, and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong understanding of project delivery methodologies (Agile, hybrid, waterfall).
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and facilitation skills.
• Experience in nonprofit, global, or faith-informed environments preferred.
• Proven re