Project Manager IV- People & Talent

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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:
 

Grade: Professional 312

Pay Range: $106,700.00 - $165,400.00

Job Description

Job Profile Summary

The Project Manager IV in People & Talent is a senior portfolio team member responsible for driving complex, cross-functional projects that align with organizational strategy and departmental priorities. This role will oversee projects from ideation to completion, ensuring the use of best practices, effective risk management, and achievement of key milestones. Leveraging a deep understanding of technology, processes, requirements, and data analysis, the Project Manager IV ensures that projects employ the most effective methods and tools, proactively communicates constraints and opportunities, and provides strategic recommendations to enhance project outcomes and customer satisfaction. The Project Manager IV will also lead retrospective reviews to capture lessons learned and stakeholder feedback to inform continuous quality improvement at the portfolio level.

In addition to project execution, the Project Manager IV plays a critical supporting role in developing project management talent and fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation. This individual mentors project managers and P&T associates on best practices, champions change management initiatives, and drives process enhancements using a systems-thinking approach. With strong problem-solving, interpersonal, and adaptability skills, the Project Manager IV ensures reliable delivery, cultivates stakeholder trust, and advances organizational goals through strategic leadership and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities

• Leads all phases of complex, cross-functional projects to ensure alignment with departmental strategy and organizational priorities, from concept/vision through successful completion.

• Develops and executes comprehensive project plans and schedules, leveraging data analysis and organizational insights to optimize resource allocation, manage risks, and achieve key milestones.

• Maintains effective communication and coordination among project teams and stakeholders, providing timely updates on project status, risks, and critical issues that may impact outcomes.

• Champions a collaborative, student-centered culture by partnering with internal and external stakeholders to drive innovation and continuous improvement.

• Provides strategic leadership, mentorship, and professional development to project managers and other associates, fostering a high-performing and accountable team.

• Ensures accurate project documentation, reporting, and record-keeping to support transparency, informed decision-making, and organizational learning.

• Influences and guides team actions in alignment with departmental priorities and proactively identifies process enhancements to advance organizational goals.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge

• Deep understanding of project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall, Lean, Six Sigma) and change management frameworks (e.g., ProSci).

• Advanced knowledge of data analysis, requirements gathering, reporting tools, and performance metrics to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.

• Familiarity with higher education operations, and/or human resources management

• Knowledge