Director, Program Management (Campus Modernization) (supporting Kern Community College District/3 campuses)

Ellucian • Bakersfield, CA

16h • Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Program Management, Campus Modernization will lead both strategic and tactical activities and campus communications to build consensus around the value of collaboration in a public higher education institution as a member of the CCC community and engaging with the entire Kern Multi-Campus District. The incumbent must have the ability to challenge conventional thinking with new ideas, approaches, and solutions through personal influence to promote transformation. The position requires professionalism, confidentiality, organization, prioritization, excellent interpersonal skills, strong written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to garner respect and confidence of colleagues through listening, learning, and forging working relationships and synergies across the district. You will bring both talent and passion to drive project management for a successful campus modernization initiative. Leveraging project management expertise, leadership capabilities, and a collaborative mindset, you will ensure successful project execution, ongoing process improvement, project status/reporting with intuitive dashboarding and presentations. Your ability to balance direct project delivery with adaptive, continuous enhancement of project management practices will be critical to our shared success.

Requirements

• Proven project management experience, ideally within SaaS or cloud implementation environments, leading complex, cross‑functional initiatives with change leadership methods.
• Exceptional relationship‑building skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with an emphasis on clarity, professionalism, and impact.
• Demonstrated commitment to customer satisfaction and delivering high‑quality project outcomes.
• Demonstrated expertise in leading CRM or ERP SaaS implementation projects, with deep knowledge of cloud‑based project delivery practices.
• Willingness and ability to travel as needed to support business objectives and project activities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience leading projects with Ellucian solution set highly desirable.
• Current knowledge of use and trends of technology in higher education preferred.
• Working experience within the higher education industry preferred.
• Experience with Smartsheet is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead SaaS modernization and organizational change initiative through all phases of the Ellucian Implementation Methodology
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with internal team members, client stakeholders, and district-wide personnel (Inclusive of Union/Classified Employees).
• Clearly communicate project plans, roles, constraints, milestones, and critical path activities to team members and stakeholders.
• Apply standardized project management methodologies, delivery frameworks, and tracking practices to develop effective project plans and deliver high‑quality solutions.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate project risks while recognizing and leveraging opportunities.
• Co-lead project team status meetings to monitor progress, manage dependencies, and ensure milestones are achieved.
• Co-coordinate and manage both customer and internal resources.
• Provide timely, proactive communication of project activities, decisions, and updates to all relevant parties up to and including Board Members.
• Help translate goals into executable tactics through identifying responsible parties, needed resources, deadlines, and assessments.
• Facilitate discussions with leadership and key sponsors to support decision‑making related to project/initiative milestones and key decision pointes.
• Build and maintain positive professional relationships, acting as a change agent to guide customers through transformation and modernization initiatives.
• Lead project governance committees, managing resources effectively and guiding cross‑functional teams in resolving risks and issues.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, and vision
• Flexible time off
• Thrive Flex Lifestyle Account (LSA) that allows you to contribute towards your health, financial or learning interests
• 401k w/ match & BrightPlan - to help you save for the future
• Parental Leave
• 5 charitable days to support the community that supports us
• Telemedicine
• Wellness
• Headspace Care (mental health)
• Wellbeats (virtual fitness classes)
• RethinkCare & Wellthy– caregiver support
• Diversity and inclusion programs which provide access to internal employee resource groups
• Employee referral bonuses to encourage the addition of great new people to the team
• Education Assistance Program
• Professional development opportunities
• LinkedIn Learning

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed