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:
 

Grade: Professional 312

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

Job Description

Oversees a portfolio of academic programs and projects that align with strategic institutional initiatives. This role ensures that each program and product deliver on its objectives and key results (OKRs), supports institutional goals, and enhances the student experience. Leads program update meetings with project managers and business owners, monitors program health, and communicates status, risks, timelines, and deliverables to key stakeholders and executive sponsors. This role requires strong collaboration across cross-functional teams and a deep understanding of operational program management and strategic alignment.

Primary Responsibilities

• Oversees the development, execution, health, and full lifecycle of assigned academic programs and products (initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, and closing) while ensuring alignment with academic strategic initiatives, institutional goals, and stakeholder expectations.
• Provides thought leadership and recommends innovations and partners cross-functionally for the timely execution of new programs and projects that support the growth of the portfolio.
• Collaborates with external and internal stakeholders across organizations to design and execute programs that enhance intended outcomes.
• Works closely with cross-functional program, project, and product managers, and other internal and external teams to ensure seamless execution.
• Facilitates regular program updates with project managers and business owners, clearly communicating status, risks, and deliverables to executive sponsors and key stakeholders to ensure transparency and alignment.
• Implements program governance structures; and tracks and reports on program health, delivery progress, and impact metrics.
• Drives a culture of experimentation, measurement, and learning. Use data to identify program trends, improve delivery, and enhance both program and supporting project outcomes.
• Ensures that all projects and products within the portfolio contribute to broader strategic objectives. Collaborate with academic leaders to maintain program relevance and impact.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to build relationships and influence at all levels, both internally and externally
• Proven ability to successfully lead multiple programs and projects
• Proven ability to manage complex programs and lead cross-functional teams
• Ability to organize, coordinate, and direct team activities and results
• Ability to coach, direct and develop direct reports
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills
• Ability to be an agent of change in a rapidly changing environment
• Strong organizational and demonstrated communication and change management skills
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, including the ability to effectively handle multiple tasks and pay attention to detail
• Requires composure under pressure, dealing with ambiguity and comfort working closely with executive leadership.

Education        

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• PMP or equivalent certification.

Experience

• 5 years of experience in program management, project portfolio management, or strategic initiative leadership.