Senior Project Manager – Office of IDEA - School of Public Health
Washington University in St. LouisAbout the role
Scheduled Hours
37.5Position Summary
The Senior Project Manager will serve as the operational engine of the Institutional Development and External Affairs office within the School of Public Health. This Office is responsible for (a) engaging with the work of the Ryan Institute and other units that focus on generating ideas and solutions, (b) building the Public Health Action Labs that serve as a resource to faculty, research centers, networks and offices providing policy, economic analysis, communications and implementation support to move ideas to action, and (c) spearheading priority initiatives to elevate school visibility including external affairs and communication.The Senior Project Manager keeps a complex, fast-moving portfolio on track — managing timelines, coordinating across three distinct functions (the Ryan Institute, Public Health Action Labs and Marketing and Communications), and ensuring that the priorities of the Office move from intention to execution.
Job Description
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
Overarching Project Management
Prep for key meetings and ensure follow-through on agreed upon next steps from meetings.
Develop timelines and track progress towards deadlines – strategically consider the best way to move projects forward.
Ensure that the office produces the kind of clear, accessible records that allow an ambitious agenda to be evaluated, communicated, and built upon over time.
Public Health Action Labs
Manage the operational workstream of standing up the Labs — tracking hiring timelines, onboarding logistics, space and resource needs, governance document development, and stakeholder engagement.
Keep a master project plan that the Associate Dean can use to report progress to the Dean and school leadership.
External relationships
Support the Associate Dean in managing relationships with funders, government partners, community organizations, and institutional allies — tracking outreach, managing follow-up, and preparing briefing materials.
Draft briefing memos, status reports, presentation decks, and talking points for the meetings.
Synthesize complex information into clear, digestible formats.
This person should be a strong writer with ability to discern information different audiences need.
Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions
Normal office environment
Ability to travel to various on- and off-campus locations
Physical Effort
Typically sitting at a desk or table
Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement
Equipment
Office equipment
Required Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor's degree
Certifications/Professional Licenses:
Work Experience:
Skills:
Driver's License:
More About This Job
Required Qualifications
Five years in project management, chief of staff, operations, or program management in a complex environment.
Track record of managing multiple concurrent workstreams with competing deadlines.
Exceptional written communication — able to write clear briefing memos, status reports, and executive summaries.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain project management systems.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience supporting a senior leader in a higher education, research, government, or mission-driven organization.
Familiarity with public health, health policy, or social sector contexts.
Experience supporting or participating in the launch of a new organizational function, program, or initiative.
Proficiency with project management tools (Asana, Monday, Notion, or equivalent).
Experienc
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